ELS announces the return of Kenneth Hasegawa, AIA, who has rejoined the firm as a principal to launch its newest studio in San Diego. ELS/San Diego is the firm’s fourth location, adding to its offices in Berkeley, Sacramento and Los Angeles. Kenneth returned to ELS in May after working with architecture firms in Tokyo, Los Angeles and New York. Now, as part of ELS’ leadership, he is working to broaden the firm’s coverage in San Diego and Southern California. Recent wins include a new master plan and aquatics center for Santa Ana’s Memorial Park, where he is directing the design of the project In his practice, Kenneth prioritizes the unique characteristics of a project’s form and place, highlighting each site’s context through simple yet elegant solutions. He holds a Master of Architecture degree with distinction from the Harvard Graduate School of Design, where he was awarded the Araldo A. Cossutta 2018 Prize for design excellence. He also received a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture with highest honors from the University of California, Berkeley, with a minor in Sustainable Design.
After first joining ELS in 2012, he collaborated on notable projects such as the Legends Aquatic Center at UC Berkeley, Uytengsu Aquatics Center at University of Southern California, and Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo. Prior to rejoining ELS in May 2023, he helped shape prominent cultural, residential, and higher education projects at Michael Maltzan Architecture in Los Angeles; Kengo Kuma & Associates in Tokyo; and PARA Project in New York.
ELS/San Diego is located at 3131 Camino Del Rio North, Suite 1030, San Diego, CA 92108.
About ELS Architecture and Urban Design
ELS Architecture and Urban Design is an award-winning architectural practice with a 57-year tradition in the design of extraordinary buildings and spaces that enhance the experience of urban life while being mindful of the environment. The firm’s portfolio represents a diverse array of projects, including community and civic, recreation and sports, historic renovation, performing arts, education, mixed use, retail, sustainable design, and planning and urban design. ELS has ranked among the top 50 firms in the U.S. by Architect magazine for numerous consecutive years and is listed among Architectural Record’s Top 300 Architecture Firms for 2022. ELS was the first architecture firm in California to receive a JUST 2.0 label, which indicates the firm’s commitment to transparency, equity, and stewardship practices.
