Hillsman Inc.

03/27/2026

Fifty years is a long time to watch trends come and go.

Open floor plans. Closed offices. Flexible everything. Smart everything. The language of design keeps changing, but the question that drives every project we take on has stayed exactly the same:

Does this space actually work for the people who use it?

Not just on opening day. Not just for photos. Day in, day out, under pressure, at capacity - does it work?

That's the standard Hillsman has held for over five decades. And it's the one we're still holding today.

03/23/2026

Hampton University asked: How do we create a dining experience that keeps students on campus?

The answer wasn't just new furniture. It was rethinking the entire experience...from traffic flow to atmosphere zones to technology integration.

Result? A space that serves 3,000+ students daily and has become the heart of campus life.

Learn more about our work with Hampton University ➡️ https://loom.ly/3AXV4y8

03/20/2026

A renovation fixes what's broken. A transformation changes what's possible.

Both have their place, but confusing one for the other is one of the most expensive mistakes institutional leaders make when they're evaluating a facilities project.

Renovation thinking: update the finishes, replace the furniture, refresh the paint. Transformation thinking: who uses this space, how do they use it, and what needs to be true for this space to support where our organization is going?

The scope looks different. The investment looks different. And the outcomes look very different.

If you're heading into a planning conversation and aren't sure which one you actually need, that's worth a conversation before the RFP goes out.

Reach out at [email protected] - we're happy to think through it with you.

03/18/2026

The week after the Oscars, we're thinking about what makes a space worth putting on screen. 🎬

The Atlanta Central Library, renovated as part of Fulton County's $275M library capital program, has been a filming location for Ant-Man and the Wasp and the Netflix film The Uglies. Production designers are professionals when it comes to finding spaces that look real, not staged.

That doesn't happen by accident. It happens when interior strategy is part of the vision from the beginning; not something added at the end.

Our latest blog post explores what public institutions get wrong about renovation, and what this library gets right.

➡️ https://loom.ly/xDXAr7w

03/06/2026

Your facilities team isn't in marketing. Your spaces are.

Every time a prospective student walks through your doors, a potential hire tours your office, or a patient steps into your lobby, a message is being sent. Whether you intended it or not.

The question isn't whether your spaces are communicating. It's whether they're saying what you need them to say.

We shared our take on answering the question of not whether your spaces are communicating something, but rather if they're saying what you need them to say.

Give it a read on our site: https://loom.ly/dS6m8a0

01/20/2026

CFOs often ask: What's the ROI of interior design?

It's a fair question. Here's what 50 years of institutional projects taught us:

Smart design isn't just aesthetic...it's economic. Well-designed spaces can reduce operational costs by up to 20%, whether you're managing a campus, workplace, or civic facility.

The proof?

📊 65% of workers say better office design would boost their productivity
📊 Students report facility conditions directly impact their ability to focus and learn
📊 Strategic renovations typically cost 20% less than new construction

The key is viewing design as strategic investment, not aesthetic expense. Design decisions outlive most strategic plans. They shape behavior, influence outcomes, and impact budgets for decades.

01/15/2026

Your facilities tell a story. What story will they tell in 2026?

After 50+ years of partnering with institutions, we've learned something: the spaces where people work, learn, and gather shape outcomes more than most realize.

This year, we're sharing what we've learned through our industry newsletter, delivering strategic insights for leaders who view facilities as mission-critical assets.

We'll share:

· Research-backed insights on facility ROI
· Real solutions to common space challenges
· Project spotlights showing what's possible
· And practical strategies for cost-effective planning

Strategic insights that help you make better decisions about your facilities.

What facility challenge are you tackling this year? Let's discuss practical solutions.

08/05/2022

Public libraries are evolving and offering innovative services to their communities. Among the newest trends are computer labs, maker space, art galleries and coffee bars. Interior spaces incorporate an abundance of natural light, welcoming color palettes and comfortable furnishings. These amenities transform a library's role from "just housing books" to becoming vital community hubs that are better-equipped to serve a more diverse community.

What's your favorite thing about your local library? Tell us in the comments below.

No shushing here! The modern library is more than just a repository of books. Correspondent Conor Knighton checks out how today's libraries are public spaces designed to foster connections while keeping pace with technology and the needs of the community.

05/26/2022

As a planning and interior design firm, we partner with colleges and universities to create state-of-the-art spaces through interior design, procurement, and graphic & signage design services.

Hampton University’s new Dining Facility and Activities Hall is one of the many notable projects in our portfolio. We worked with local Hampton architect, Livas Group Architects P.C. to introduce a stunning new waterfront dining experience in response to a desire to introduce modern market-style dining to the campus while offering a picturesque waterfront view. The glass structure is considered an institutional focal point on campus and reflects Hampton University’s commitment to its students, faculty, and staff.

To learn more about the Hampton University Student Dining Facility and Activities Hall, go to https://hillsmaninc.com/a-waterfront-dining-experience-on-hampton-river/

05/19/2022

With a wide range of projects, we continue to work to innovate and create within the Civics market. As part of support to better communities, we partnered with Precision Planning to design a Public Safety Building for the City of Forest Park, GA. This single-story structure is home to both the Forest Park Department of Fire and Emergency Services and the Forest Park Police Department and will feature a state-of-the-art structure providing a long overdue facility update for the dedicated public servants of Forest Park.

To learn more about the Forest Park Public Safety Building, go to https://hillsmaninc.com/forest-park-public-safety-building/

05/12/2022

Hillsman’s Hospitality portfolio transports and invigorates hotel guests through boutique-style planning and design. Our designs highlight architecturally rich and dynamic elements while incorporating technology, innovative furniture and textures, and local creative art to enhance the aesthetically driven luxury experience.

To learn more about Hillsman, go to https://hillsmaninc.com/