Boasting a three-decade career that spanned the globe, Williams lived in Singapore and worked to expand the HBA brand worldwide. In 2012 he launched HBA Architecture in Singapore and Shanghai. Prior to his time with HBA, Williams co-founded global architecture and interior design practice Studio Aria in 2010 with offices in New York, Shanghai, and Sydney. He obtained a bachelor of architecture from the University of Tennessee in 1983 and also studied at the School of Architecture at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece. Following his graduation, Williams worked in New York for Brennan Beer Gorman Architects before moving to Hong Kong and later Singapore.
Some of the noteworthy projects Williams oversaw during his time at HBA include the Lanshuiwan Hotel in Zhengzhou, China, Simprug Mixed-Use in Jakarta, and Grace Land Hotel, Office & Retail in China’s Sichuan province.
Throughout his career, Williams lent his international design expertise to brands such as Conrad, Fairmont, InterContinental, Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt Regency, Shangri-La, Swissôtel, Sofitel, and more.
“Jeffrey was my great friend and colleague and I feel his loss deeply,” says Ian Carr, co-CEO of Hirsch Bedner Associates. “He brought so much joy to his work and passed on his wisdom freely to all that collaborated with him. Jeffrey created a body of work around the world that defines his professionalism and reflected his character. Strong in character and true—with always room for a little unexpected flourish. Jeffrey will be missed by all who knew him.”
A memorial was held for Williams on March 29 in his hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee.
