THE O IN HOK: Our town's leading architect, Gyo Obata, a founding partner of HOK, is the subject of a new book: "Gyo Obata: Architect | Clients | Reflections," published by The Images Publishing Group.

The 240-page coffeetable book, co-written by Marlene Birkman and Carole Jerome, offers Obata's retrospective on 30 building projects over five decades, and includes personal and client perspectives on the design process. The book was designed by Kiku Obata & Company, a design firm founded by Gyo's daughter in 1977.

HOK's vice chairman, Clark Davis, is quoted in an afterword in the book saying that Obata has changed the way architects deal with clients. "Gyo has brought a remarkable client-centered approach to the practice of modern architecture, and this book provides wonderful insights into his highly collaborative relationships with clients," Davis wrote.

Photos, plans and drawings of the 30 building projects -- which include universities, museums, airports, hospitals, courthouses, retail centers, museums, churches and offices -- are featured in the book.

Some of the projects and featured clients in the book are Father Jerome Luke Rigby of the St. Louis Priory project; Apollo 11 Astronaut Mike Collins of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington; Gerson Bakar of San Francisco's Levi's Plaza; U.S. Disctrict Court Judge Edward Filippine, former chief judge at the Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse; and William Wrigley Jr. of the Wrigley Global Innovation Center in Chicago.

Obata is scheduled to participate in a book signing on September 15 at Left Bank Books, 399 North Euclid Avenue.