HDR Names Jaffe New Education & Science Global Director

HDR has named Eric Jaffe, AIA, to succeed Steve Riojas as global director of education and science within the architecture practice upon Riojas’ retirement at the end of the year.

For the past six years, Jaffe has led efforts to grow HDR's architecture practice in the east region of the United States and Canada, starting as managing principal in 2016 in Princeton, New Jersey, and then as east region architecture director since 2018.

A licensed architect with over 25 years of experience, Jaffe focused on the science and tech sector prior to joining HDR. That background, along with his recent firsthand experience working alongside clients including Rutgers University, Siemens, Duke University and Commonwealth Fusion Systems, has provided him with a deep understanding of the diverse and nuanced challenges faced by our federal, corporate and academic clients.

“With his leadership experience in business building, Eric brings a proven strategic mindset, sharp intellect, and a collaborative approach to supporting our education and science teams around the globe,” said Doug Wignall, global architecture president.

Jaffe takes the helm of an award-winning education and science practice that pairs human-centered design with scientific expertise, technical rigor and creativity to deliver best-in-class education and research environments. HDR has consistently been ranked No. 1 in Science and Tech by Building Design & Construction and No. 1 in Science by the World Architecture 100 survey. Jaffe will lead the education and science sector at local, regional, national and global levels. Collaborating with regional and market education and science directors, he will ensure that HDR’s brand is elevated and maintained through quality design, innovative planning, client service and thought leadership.

“I am looking forward to building on the culture Steve and our global education and science teams have fostered over the past decade, grounded in unparalleled expertise in the industry,” Jaffe said. “I'm excited to leverage the network, experience and expertise within the education and science sector to support our clients across the company and around the world.”