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Derek B. Schmidt
Principal, AIA, LEED AP
Derek is a Principal with over twenty-five years of experience and interior architecture and workplace expertise.
A native Nashvillian, Derek took an interest in architecture as a high school student at Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High School. Following graduation from the Carnegie Mellon University School of Architecture in 1997, he was anxious to return home to have an opportunity to shape the future of Nashville. Derek worked at Design Collective Incorporated for six years before joining HASTINGS in 2003.
Derek has dedicated his career to interior architecture, working with companies including Asurion, Genesco, Mars, Microsoft, and Siemens, Tractor Supply, and Vanderbilt University. His work with Asurion spans more than ten projects over eight years. Among them, Asurion Ragland is a 90,000-square-foot office fit-out and winner of Urban Land Institute Nashville Excellence in Design Award and AIA Middle Tennessee Design Award, and Asurion Gulch Hub, the company’s new 550,000-square-foot headquarters.
Derek dedicates himself to serving his clients by being an effective listener, focusing on details, and designing without ego. He is passionate about continuously learning.
Project Experience
Asurion Gulch Hub at 1101 Church StreetThompson Nashville
Microsoft Nashville
Brasfield & Gorrie
Registrations & Certifications
Registered Architect in TennesseeLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Certified
Education
Carnegie Mellon University, Bachelor of Architecture, 1997 Professional & Community Involvement
American Institute of Architects, Member 
Architecture, Interior Design, Planning, and Sustainability
About HASTINGS
NOMA Conference 2024
Gene McDonald Speaks on Skanska Panel
Vanderbilt University's Rothschild College Wins 2024 SARA National Design Award
HASTINGS Hosts Nashville Design Week Event 'Fast Furniture: Friend or Foe'
Donelson Library Wins a 2024 AIA Middle TN People's Choice Award
Ai Showroom Wins a 2024 AIA Middle Tennessee Merit Award
Mill Ridge Regional Metro Park Wins a 2024 AIA Middle Tennessee Merit Award
Grand Opening at The Finery
HASTINGS 2024 Detroit Firm Trip
Five HASTINGS Projects Shortlisted for the 2024 WIN Awards
GEODIS Park wins AISC Ideas2 Award
James Lawson High School Featured in ARCHITECTURAL RECORD
Ai Corporate Interiors wins IIDA Tennessee Award
Asurion Gulch Hub wins IIDA Tennessee Award
David Powell Speaks at AIA Kansas Annual Conference
Nashville Post Features HASTINGS in "When it comes to Nashville housing, aiming for the middle is key"
ASID Tennessee State Conference Awards Claudia Lofton Humanitarian Award
The Motley Breaks Ground
Christ Presbyterian Academy's Athletic and Wellness Facility breaks ground
The Tennessean features The Motley: "Inside the development boom transforming Nashville's Midtown neighborhood"
Casey Estanislao speaks on SMPS Nashville panel: Winning the Work
Ribbon Cutting at Memorial Foundation
Jim Moran Headquarters featured in Fort Lauderdale Magazine
Topping out at Harding Academy
James Lawson High School wins the 2024 Governor's Environmental Stewardship Award
HASTINGS participates in two sessions at the 2024 AIA Tennessee Conference on Architecture
AIA Tennessee names HASTINGS a 2024 Emerging Professional Friendly Firm
HASTINGS seeks Senior Interior Designer
HASTINGS Announces Recent Promotions
Donelson Library featured in The Architect's Newspaper
The Architect's Newspaper recognizes HASTINGS in 2024 Best of Practice
Topping out at Peabody Union
Jim Moran Foundation Topping Out
Christ Presbyterian Academy Fine Arts Center featured in Global Design News
Peabody Plaza featured in Global Design News
David Bailey elevated to the College of Fellows of The AIA
APSU Health Professions Building Topping Out
The Architect's Newspaper features Martin and Rutledge Flats
Sycamore House featured in the Wall Street Journal
Memorial Foundation breaks ground
Peabody Plaza wins 2023 American Architecture Award from The Chicago Athenaeum
Ai Showroom opens for business
Adams and Reese relocates to Broadwest
United Talent Agency (UTA) opens its Atlanta location
Nicholas Van Son speaks at eCAADe
Rothschild Residential College opens at Vanderbilt University
HASTINGS hosts two sessions at the 2023 AIA Conference on Architecture
Groundbreaking at Harding Academy
Dillon Dunn speaks at NOMA Portland
HASTINGS 2023 Brooklyn Firm Trip
AN Interior names HASTINGS a 2023 Top 50 Architecture and Design Company
Forbes Magazine names the Thompson Nashville the Best Design Hotel in Nashville
Warner Music Nashville and Warner Chappell Music win an AIA Middle Tennessee Merit Award
James Lawson High Schools wins AIA Middle Tennessee Merit Award
GEODIS Park wins an AIA Middle Tennessee Merit Award
HYPE
Hastings Young Professional Experience (HYPE) initiative mentors, inspires, and teaches our studio.
Thank you to the 2023 HASTINGS interns and co-ops!
Groundbreaking at Austin Peay State University Health Sciences Building
Mill Ridge Park Grand Opening
Topping out at 110 East
Warner Music Nashville and Warner Chappell Music win AIA Tennessee Merit Award
UTA wins AIA Tennessee Merit Award
Ribbon cutting at James Lawson High School
Ribbon Cutting at Ravenwood Park
Asurion Gulch Hub awarded the Building Green 2023 Governor's Environmental Stewardship Award
HASTINGS named as a Middle Tennessee Top Workplace for the 11th consecutive year
Academy of Country Music Open for Business
Sierra Jensen speaks at Digital Built Week Americas 2023
Topping out at EMF Headquarters
Groundbreaking at Jim Moran Foundation
ULI Nashville Recognizes Asurion Gulch Hub with Excellence in Development Award!
ULI Nashville Recognizes Geodis Park for Excellence in Development
HASTINGS Firm Trip to Austin
Dave Powell honored with the AIA Award for Excellence in Public Architecture
IIDA Tennessee recognizes UTA at 2022 Design Awards
IIDA Tennessee recognizes Warner Music Nashville and Warner Chappell Music at 2022 Design Awards
AN Interior Names HASTINGS a 2022 Top 50 Architecture and Design Company
AIA Tennessee recognizes Fourth Capital with 2022 Honor Award
AIA Tennessee names HASTINGS 2022 Emerging Professional Friendly Firm
AIA Tennessee recognizes Asurion Gulch Hub 2022 Design Awards
Metro Parks celebrates Gulch Greenway Ribbon Cutting
HASTINGS named Architect’s Newspaper’s 2022 Best of Practice Winner
Zweig Group recognizes HASTINGS as 2022 Best Firm To Work For
HASTINGS named Middle Tennessee Top Workplace for tenth consecutive year
225 Polk recognized with 2022 Governor's Environmental Stewardship Award
Urban Land Institute Americas names 225 Polk 2022 Awards for Excellence Finalist
UTA Nashville named 2022 IIDA Interior Design Competition Finalist
Stiles | Hensler reveals design for new urban experience at Peabody Union
110 East breaks ground next to East/West Station in Charlotte, North Carolina
AIA Middle Tennessee recognizes Vanderbilt University Nicholas S. Zeppos College and West End Tower with 2021 Design Award
AIA Middle Tennessee recognizes Fourth Capital with 2021 Design Award
Christ Presbyterian Academy recognized by AIA Middle Tennessee with 2021 Honor Award
225 Polk among the overall winners of the Chicago Athenaeum 2021 American Architecture Awards—the nation’s highest public award for new architecture and urban planning
ArchDaily features UTA's new Nashville Headquarters
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing recognized with AIA Tennessee 2021 Design Award
Montgomery Bell Academy Wellness Center recognized with AIA Tennessee 2021 Design Award
Family & Children's Service recognized with AIA Tennessee 2021 Design Award
HASTINGS is seeking a Project Manager to join our studio
225 Polk recognized with AIA Gulf States 2021 Design Award
AIA Gulf States recognizes Alfred Williams & Company with 2021 Design Award
HASTINGS is seeking a Technical Design Architect to join our team
'HASTINGS Architecture Creates a Cool and Contemporary Space From a 1965 Public Library for UTA’s Nashville Office': UTA featured in Interior Design
USGBC Tennessee recognizes Metro Nashville Police Department Headquarters and Family Safety Center with Community Champion Award
Nashville Downtown Partnership recognizes Hyatt Centric Downtown Nashville with 2021 PLAY Award
Asurion Gulch Hub recognized with Nashville Downtown Partnership 2021 WORK Award
Nashville Downtown Partnership recognizes 805 Lea with 2021 LIVE Award
ULI Nashville recognizes Vanderbilt University E. Bronson Ingram College with 2021 Award of Excellence
Vertis Green Hills recognized with ULI Nashville 2021 Excellence in Development Awards
Archello features Montgomery Bell Academy H. Frank Burkholder Wellness Center
Thompson Nashville recognized with Condé Nast Traveler's 2021 Readers' Choice Awards "#1 Hotel in Nashville"
HASTINGS 2021 Firm Trip to Chicago
World Architecture News features Peabody Plaza
HASTINGS named #3 Best Firm To Work For by Zweig Group
20 Questions with David Powell featured by the Civic Design Center as part of their 20th Anniversary celebration
Archello features Christ Presbyterian Academy Fine Arts Center
World Architecture News features Virgin Hotels Nashville
Ribbon cutting marks opening of Hyatt Centric Nashville
Architizer’s 2021 Annual A+Awards recognize 225 Polk with a Special Mention in the Adaptive Reuse category
Architizer’s 2021 A+Awards honor HASTINGS with Best of the Year Special Mention
Director of Design Technology Christina Holden speaks at The Architect's Newspaper's Women in BIM
Nashville Business Journal tours HASTINGS’ studio
Dave Powell and Chris Davis present The Bridge Building as part of The Architect's Newspaper's Facades+ conference
HASTINGS named Middle Tennessee Top Workplace for ninth consecutive year
We are thrilled to welcome four summer 2021 interns from across the country
UTA opens new Nashville Headquarters
Virgin Hotels Nashville among The Wall Street Journal's 5 Fabulous Hotel Pools With Day Passes
Metro Historic Commission recognizes 225 Polk with Preservation Award
Metro Nashville Public Schools breaks ground on new Hillwood High School
Highwoods announces plans for Gulch Central at 1010 and 1100 Broadway
Warner Music Nashville undergoing major renovation on Music Row
Vanderbilt University Residential College B Tops Out
The Architect’s Newspaper features Vanderbilt University E. Bronson Ingram College
World Interiors News features Fourth Capital
NEWH hosts virtual tour of Virgin Hotels Nashville
Peabody Plaza recognized with 2021 Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute Design Award
Virgin Hotels Nashville awarded LEED Gold
ARCHITECTURAL RECORD editors present 2020 in Review: Workplace Design projects
AIA Middle Tennessee recognizes Family & Children's Service with a 2020 Design Award
Christ Presbyterian Academy Fine Arts Building wins AIA Middle Tennessee 2020 Design Award
AIA Middle Tennessee recognizes Vanderbilt University School of Nursing with a 2020 Design Award
225 Polk among the winners of The Architect’s Newspaper 2020 AN Best of Design Awards
805 Lea tops out at 29 stories
Mars Petcare named ENR Southeast 2020 Best Project
The New York Times features Virgin Hotels Nashville in The Future of Hotel Design
Dillon Dunn presents A Seat at the Table as part of U.S. Green Building Council’s Equity Summit
Celebrating Thirty-Five Years: 1985-2020
ULI Nashville recognizes 225 Polk with a 2020 Award of Excellence
Mask House featured as one of Archinect’s 10 fresh examples of concrete in architecture
PARK(ing) Day 2020
AIA Tennessee awards 225 Polk a 2020 Design Award of Excellence
AIA Tennessee names HASTINGS an Emerging Professional Friendly Firm
The Buntin Group awarded 2020 AIA Tennessee Design Award!
Hyatt Centric tops out
Peabody Plaza featured on ArchDaily
Asurion Gulch Hub at 1101 Church Street tops out
ARCHITECT Magazine names Hastings the #3 Architecture Firm in the United States
Fast Company features Way Forward Signage Co.
We are pleased to announce Way Forward Signage Co. – return to work signage for the COVID era.
Congratulations to Eakin Partners on opening Peabody Plaza
Education Snapshots features Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
Director of Design Technology Christina Holden featured on BIMThoughts Women in AEC Podcast
Virgin Hotels Nashville featured in Hospitality Design
Travel + Leisure features Virgin Hotels Nashville
Virgin Hotels Nashville opens doors on Music Row!
Zweig Group recognizes HASTINGS as a 2020 Best Firm To Work For and 2020 Hot Firm
Archinect highlights new University of Tennessee Keystone Scholarship!
A new scholarship initiative aimed at bolstering the pipeline of students from diverse backgrounds entering architectural education.
World Architecture News features The Buntin Group
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville College of Architecture + Design in collaboration with the National Organization of Minority Architects Announces the Keystone Scholarship
The Keystone Scholarship will enable the college to build upon its thriving base of outstanding students by expanding its ability to recruit top diverse high school graduates in Tennessee.
Dave Powell to present 3 Chords and the Truth: The Music City Vernacular as part of AIA Arkansas’ 2020 Virtual Speaker Series
Archello features the Ryman Auditorium Renovation and Expansion!
University of Tennessee at Knoxville College of Architecture + Design names David Bailey 2020 Tau Sigma Delta Silver Medal recipient
Socially Conscious Design 101
We are proud to support the Civic Design Center and AIA Middle Tennessee in presenting this course on how design can improve inclusiveness, equity, and quality of life.
Archello features WME
World Architecture News features 225 Polk Avenue
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing featured in ArchDaily
Step Inside: NFocus Magazine Features 225 Polk Avenue
Nashville Business Journal names David Bailey Historic Preservation Champion of the Year
HASTINGS proudly sends first set of 3D printed face shield components to Vanderbilt Hospitals
The Buntin Group featured on ArchDaily
Engineering News Record names Vanderbilt University E. Bronson Ingram College 2019 Best of the Best Project!
HASTINGS COVID-19 Site Visit Policy
Due to the national emergency caused by, and in response to, the Novel Coronavirus/COVID-19, HASTINGS hereby provides the firm’s Site Visit Policy effective 21 March 2020 until further notice.
Director of Design Technology Christina Holden discusses collaboration on The AEC Disruptors Podcast
Materials in the AIA’s Framework for Design Excellence
Our best practices guide to applying the Materials Action Plan to AIA’s Framework for Design Excellence.
'Music City Remix': 225 Polk Avenue featured in ARCHITECTURAL RECORD
USGBC Tennessee Recognizes Virginia Springs I and Eskind Biomedical Library at 2020 Impact Awards!
Hastings ranked #66 on ENR's Top 100 Green Buildings Design Firms!
'Black and White and Redone all Over': HASTINGS featured in The New York Times
Vanderbilt University E. Bronson Ingram College wins 2019 AIA Middle Tennessee Merit Award!
AIA Middle Tennessee awards The Buntin Group 2019 Merit Award!
AIA Middle Tennessee awards Smith Springs Community Center 2019 Honor Award!
225 Polk Avenue wins 2019 AIA Middle Tennessee Merit Award!
ENR Southeast awards Vanderbilt University E. Bronson Ingram Best Higher Education Project of the Year
HASTINGS 2019 Firm Trip to Miami
Peabody Plaza at Rolling Mill Hill tops out!
PARK(ing) Day 2019
Hastings receives the Nashville Downtown Partnership's 2019 INVEST Award!
Madison Community Center earns LEEDv4 Innovation Point for Beauty & Design
IIDA Tennessee's Composing Great Design Gala and Competition
Sony Music Nashville awarded 2019 AIA Tennessee Award of Excellence
The Eastland awarded 2019 AIA Tennessee Award of Excellence
Metro Nashville Police Department Headquarters and Family Safety Center awarded Merit Award by AIA Tennessee
Mars Petcare celebrates the grand opening of new North American Headquarters at Ovation!
HASTINGS named 2019 Top Workplace by The Tennessean
Family & Children's Service celebrates the dedication of their new home - The Honey Alexander Center
CNBC's Frank Holland visits Mars Petcare's new pet-friendly office
A walk in Mars Petcare's new headquarters with Nashville Business Journal
Vanderbilt University E. Bronson Ingram College wins AIA Gulf States Region 2019 Honor Award
The Eastland wins AIA Gulf States Region 2019 Honor Citation
Hastings honored for Rate of Participation as part of the Nashville Connector Commuter Challenge!
Cheekwood Storybook Houses Open!
Vision and Purpose: The Purpose Hotel
Vertis Green Hills celebrates Grand Opening!
We are pleased to announce our studio has moved to 225 Polk Avenue!
Hastings runs the 5th Annual JE Dunn Hammer Down 1k, 5k, and 10k
Hyatt Centric celebrates Groundbreaking!
Thompson Nashville featured in WSJ's Guide to Nashville’s Chicest New Neighborhood
Gulch Hub breaks ground!
Asurion and Highwoods Properties celebrate the Gulch Hub groundbreaking
Vanderbilt University E. Bronson Ingram College honored with 2019 Palladio Award
Nashville's new Family Safety Center Celebrates Opening with Ribbon Cutting
Metro Nashville Police Department Headquarters Celebrates Opening with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing celebrates new building expansion
ARCHITECT magazine names Hastings #1 in Business
Now in its tenth year, the journal of the American Institute of Architect’s 2018 Architect 50 recognizes practices large and small based on performance in business, sustainability, and design.
Designed with health in mind: Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
Vanderbilt News highlights the new building expansion for Vanderbilt University School of Nursing set to open January 22, 2019.
BIM 360 and Beyond: Facilitating Collaboration in Design and Construction
BIM Director Christina Holden and Randy Christiansen of Layton Construction present to CSI Nashville
Vanderbilt University Medical Center opens the new Oxford House Fifth Floor
“This is a space that is a little ‘out of the box’ for VUMC,” said John Manning, Chief Operating Officer of Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “This renovated space will allow for different and innovative ways to work..."
Designed with Health in Mind
School of Nursing featured in the Fall Issue of Vanderbilt Nurse
2018 AIA Middle TN Awards
Nashville Family Safety Center and Police Department Headquarters receives an Honor Award from AIA Middle Tennessee
Design Lab
Design Lab provides dedicated time and space to expand the traditional bounds of architectural consideration. We invite creatives and designers across a broad range of industries into our studio to learn about their creative process and to investigate how best we can contribute to our community.
PARK(ing) Day 2018
Tour Thompson Nashville, Ryman Auditorium, and The Bridge Building
Registration is open for Architecture tours as part of Nashville Design Week
As part of a continued evolution of our brand, HASTINGS partnered with Base Design to reimagine our brand identity system and digital presence.
New Estron Chemical Innovation and Technology Center Opens
Lee Company Corporate Headquarters recognized with USGBC TN’s Leadership Award for Innovative Design
Cheekwood Opens the Renovated Frist Learning Center and New Café 29
Congratulations to our newly licensed Architects
W're thrilled to congratulate Laura Hollier and Alex Stinchcomb Hastings newest licensed architects!
Azafrán Park Opens!
Nashville’s newest public park, Azafrán Park, opened Saturday, August 11th
Congratulations to our recently registered Interior Designers
We're proud to congratulate recently registered Interior Designers Kate O'Neil, Madelynne Moulton, Jesse Allen, Claudia Lofton, and Lauren McCloud
Alfred Williams & Company Honored by AIA Tennessee
Highwoods Executes Lease with Asurion
Madison Park Community Center Opens
Madison Park Celebrates Opening of new 30,000-square-foot Community Center
Lucas Culbertson
IT Manager 
Mackenzie Kastner
NCIDQ 
Julia Smith
WELL AP, NCIDQ, LEED Green Associate 
Michael Nunnink
Stephen Christenson
Reese Batley
Marketing Coordinator 
Leonard Jefferson
Madie Camp
Casey Jackson
Human Resources ManagerSHRM-CP
Jennifer Downing
Cat Blessing
Director of Marketing 
Adrian Subagyo
AIA, LEED Green Associate 
Neil Long
AIA 
Marjorie Ann Neilson
Administrative Assistant 
Craig Chapple
AIA 
Danielle Lanier
Olivia Brown
LEED Green Associate 
Hannah Gibbs
Office Manager 
Ashton Templeton
Cory Gamblin
Kelly Galway
LEED Green Associate 
Nicholas Van Son
LEED Green Associate 
Islea Galazin
NCIDQ, LEED Green Associate 
Andy Popp
LEED Green Associate 
Sara Shipp
Abhinavv Singh
AIA, LEED Green Associate 
Sarah Harmon
Executive Assistant 
Nathan Buck
AIA 
Gary Glinsey
LEED Green Associate 
Brian Dobrolsky
AIA 
Tiffanie Clegg
Associate NCIDQ
Anna McCloskey
Marketing Coordinator 
Katie Schultz
LEED Green Associate 
Lily Hubbard
Samantha Mitton
IIDA, NCIDQ 
George Sorbara
Gene McDonald
Managing DirectorAIA, LEED Green Associate
Brian Fryman
Director of FinanceCMA
Morgan Wisted
Ryan Burnett
AIA, LEED Green Associate 
Samuel Williamson
Taylor Patton
Gavin McEntire
LEED Green Associate 
David M. Powell
PrincipalFAIA, LEED AP
William W. Hastings
Principal 
David A. Bailey
PrincipalFAIA, LEED AP
Matt Hall
Associate AIA, LEED AP
Clay Carroll
AIA 
Kyle Faulkner
Associate LEED Green Associate
Joseph A. Platt, Jr.
Associate LEED Green Associate
Jonathon Oelschig
Senior AssociateAIA, LEED AP
Chuck Gannaway
PrincipalAIA, LEED AP
James O. Hastings
Founding PrincipalAIA, LEED AP
Christina Holden
Associate Principal and Director of Design TechnologyAIA, LEED AP
Meshelle Moody
Technical ManagerLEED AP
Whit Self
Senior AssociateAIA, LEED Green Associate, CDT
Sierra Jensen
Associate AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Fitwel Ambassador, NCIDQ
Sarah Carroll
Associate AIA, LEED Green Associate
Robert White
Senior AssociateAIA
Meaghan Edwards
Senior AssociateAIA, LEED AP
Katie Laughinghouse
Associate AIA, LEED Green Associate
Kyle Liu
Kate O'Neil
Senior AssociateAIA, NCIDQ
Laura Kneebone
Senior Associate 
Laura Hollier
Associate AIA, LEED Green Associate
Isabella Claiborne
Associate LEED Green Associate
Heather Crabtree
Associate AIA, LEED Green Associate
Ethan Keller
Associate 
Erin Asa
AssociateIIDA, NCIDQ, LEED Green Associate
Erich Ritzhaupt
Senior AssociateAIA, LEED Green Associate
Eric Hawkins
Senior AssociateAIA
Emilee Wilson Hamm
Associate AIA, LFA, LEED Green Associate
Dillon Dunn
AssociateAIA, LEED Green Associate
Claudia Lofton
Senior Associate and Director of Interior Design NCIDQ, LEED Green Associate
Chris Melander
Associate AIA, LEED Green Associate
Alex Stinchcomb
Associate AIA
Andy Cho
AssociateAIA, LEED BD+C
Anna Yoder
Senior Associate and Director of Planning and Urban DesignAICP, LEED Green Associate, CDT
Blaine Kimbrough
Senior AssociateAIA
Casey Estanislao
Associate Principal and Director of Strategy 
Chris Davis
Associate PrincipalAIA
Derek B. Schmidt
PrincipalAIA, LEED AP
John Boehms
Senior Associate and Director of OperationsAIA, LEED AP
Mark Zook
PrincipalAIA, LEED AP
Matt Spaulding
Principal 
Paul Law
Associate Principal and Director of Quality AssuranceICC, AIA, LEED Green Associate, CSI, CDT
Samuel Wible
Associate PrincipalAIA
Daniel Cremin
Senior AssociateAIA
Sara J. Atherton
PrincipalAIA, LEED AP
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