Skip to main content
North Dakota State University

cta

  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Request Info

Main Navigation

main

  • Academics

    Study at NDSU

    • Study at NDSU
    • Programs
      • Undergraduate
      • Graduate
      • Certificates
      • Online
    • Colleges
      • Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources
      • Arts and Sciences
      • Business
      • Engineering
      • Health and Human Sciences
      • Graduate School
  • Admission & Cost

    Admission

    • Admission
    • Cost & Aid
    • Visit
    • Admitted Students
    • Graduate Admission
    • For Parents & Families
    • For Counselors & Advisors
    • Contact
  • Bison Life

    Bison Life

    • Bison Life
    • Housing & Dining
    • Services for Student Success
    • Organizations & Engagement
    • Experiential Learning
    • Arts & Culture
    • Events
  • About

    About

    • About
    • The Campus
    • Fargo & the Community
    • Alumni
    • News
    • Industry Relations
    • Bison Youth (PreK-12)
    • Contact
  • Research Impact
  • Athletics

Utility

  • Current Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Jobs
  • Give
  • Directory
  • A-Z Index

Architecture

  • Home
  • Home
  • School
  • Academics
    • Bachelor of Science in Interior Design
    • Bachelor of Science in Architecture
    • Master of Architecture
    • Student Resources
    • Cost and Scholarships
    • Admission
    • Architecture Program Accreditation
    • Interior Design Program Accreditation
    • ncbds 38
  • Our Community
    • Faculty and Staff
      • Michael J. Strand
      • Cindy Urness
      • Susan Ray-Degges
      • David Crutchfield
      • Ganapathy Mahalingam
      • Heather Fischer
      • Susan Kliman
      • Roland Sharpe Flores
      • Bakr M. Aly Ahmed
      • Paul Gleye
      • Regin Schwaen
      • Ronald Ramsay
      • Stephen Wischer
      • Charlott Greub
      • Amar Hussein
      • Aletha Lippay
      • Ann Marie Ragan
      • Dan Stine
      • Brittany Taplin
      • Larry Carcoana
      • Trevor Anderson
      • Ben Bernard
      • Jeff Hanson
      • Lisa Eggebraaten
    • Alumni
      • Gabriela Baierle
      • Douglas Hanson
      • Kristi Hanson
      • Doug Wild
      • Joan Floura
    • Advisory Board
  • Facilities
    • Renaissance Hall
    • Interior Design Resource Center
    • Interior Design Studios
    • Klai Hall
    • LAAVA Lab
    • Studio
    • Woodshop
    • Fifth Floor Gallery
    • Klai Juba Wald Architecture & Landscape Architecture Design Studies Library
  • Student Experience
    • Interior Design Capstone Projects
    • Design Week 2023
    • Student Organizations
    • Travel/Experiential Learning
    • Studio Culture
  • Student Work
  • About
    • About the Department
    • Contact
    • Our History
    • Class List by Year
    • Department of Landscape Architecture
    • Department of Art & Design +
    • The School of Design, Architecture and Art
  • APPLY

Breadcrumb

  1. Architecture
  2. Our Community
  3. Alumni Network
  4. Kristi Hanson

Microsite

  • Gabriela Baierle
  • Douglas Hanson
  • Kristi Hanson
  • Doug Wild
  • Joan Floura

Kristi Hanson

Architect, President | KHA Architects, Palm Desert, CA

Company

How long have you been working as an architect?

32 years! I started my own company in 1995.

What geographic regions do you work in?

We do work in many areas now. California, Hawaii, Washington, Minnesota, Utah, Texas and Montana.

In one or two sentences, what is the focus of your practice?

We are a full-service architecture and interior design firm that specializes in residential design and boutique commercial projects. We are focused on providing our unique clients with designs that speak to their individuality and personalities! Our mission is simply stated as Personalized Design in the Pursuit of Perfection.

How did your education at NDSU prepare you to be an architect?

My architectural education at NDSU taught me how to think and how to solve problems. This is at its core what Architects do and it also gave me a strong foundation through incredible mentors who inspired me and instilled in me the belief that anything can be accomplished.


What were some of the most valuable lessons you learned here?

This is a hard one. Probably more than I can even recall! I learned how to study! I learned a lot about people being an RA. I learned that I made life-long friends at NDSU. I learned that I may not have been the most talented or smart person in the room, but I am incredibly determined, and I’ve evolved into a pretty good designer!

What advice do you have for current architecture students?

While you are in school: take as many classes as you can, get involved in the campus community, be willing to step outside your comfort zone. When you graduate: ask questions when doing your internship, be okay with being afraid and unsure – it’s part of the process, ask for help and be a life-long learner.

Architecture

North Dakota State University

Fargo, ND

North Dakota State University

Footer

  • A-Z Index
  • Campus Map
  • Contact
  • Consumer Information
  • Online Services

Social Navigation

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • youtube

©2025 North Dakota State University
Privacy Statement | Nondiscrimination Statement
NDSU Web | Website and Accessibility Feedback