Perkins&Will Thrives Alongside Austin’s Rapid Growth

Recent project recognition underscores the studio’s strength in the region, while leadership promotions support its future growth in a rapidly expanding market

AUSTIN, TEXAS —The Austin studio of global architecture and design firm Perkins&Will is expanding and evolving its reach within the country’s fastest-growing major metropolitan city. Recent project wins and award recognition solidify the studio’s role as an architectural and urban design force shaping the region’s future. At the same time, a new slate of leadership promotions and strategic hires speaks to the studio’s continued growth and commitment to meeting the shifting demands of its community. 

“Our core values of wellness, sustainability, inclusion, and diversity guide us. We are invested in finding new ways to thoughtfully express these values while enriching Austin’s distinct character as it grows,” said Koleman Uresti, Managing Director of the Austin Studio. “This is an exciting time for our city, and we are honored to have the opportunity to create spaces that support a healthy, sustainable, and equitable future for our community.”

Adaptive Reuse of College Campus Recognized

Completed in collaboration with lead designers and Architect of Record Barnes Gromatzky Kosarek Architects (BGKA), Austin Community College District’s (ACC) newest campus, Highland Phase 2, was awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council—a designation awarded to environmentally sustainable buildings. Over 58% of the existing mall structure was reused, while more than 30% of new materials were made of recycled content, and 18% of new materials were harvested and manufactured regionally. The project underscores the Austin studio’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and Perkins&Will’s firmwide philosophy of Living Design. 

Delivering National, Award-Winning Projects from our Austin Studio

The studio’s University of Utah Research Park Strategic Vision project recently received a High Achievement Award from the American Planning Association (APA) Utah. Celebrating projects that make an exceptional contribution to planning, the Master Plan award category honors completed plans that complement and enhance the existing community. Developed in partnership with the San Francisco studio, the UURP Strategic Vision champions transit-oriented development, mixed-use state-of-the-art sustainable infrastructure, and forward-thinking leadership to ensure that Salt Lake City becomes one of the greenest, most inclusive, and economically viable cities in the country.

Leadership Promotions

The Austin studio has also strengthened its leadership team through internal promotions. These elevations exemplify the studio’s commitment to designing beautiful places that uplift and inspire the greater Austin community across the urban, civic, cultural, education, corporate, and commercial sectors. 

Promotion to Senior Associate:

• Wendy Lamb, Senior Project Manager, has over 20 years of experience working on complex multi-family and mixed-use projects. Wendy’s client-forward approach to building relationships and maintaining partnerships fosters a positive, collaborative environment for well-planned, successful design solutions.

Promotions to Associate:

• Stephen Grant, Design Applications Manager, IT Services, plays a key role at Perkins&Will, focusing on the firm’s design process and practice through the comprehensive integration of digital tools and workflows, ensuring technology hardware functionality for all team members.
• Krystal Hagan, Office Manager, oversees administrative operations, supports management of office budgets, and coordinates special events. Driven by a strong commitment to team values and collaborative effort, Krystal ensures the efficient operation of studio services and a productive, creative environment.

About Perkins&Will

Perkins&Will, an interdisciplinary, research-based architecture and design firm, was founded in 1935 on the belief that design has the power to transform lives. Guided by its core values—design excellence, diversity and inclusion, living design, research, resilience, social purpose, sustainability, and well-being—the firm is committed to designing a better, more beautiful world. Fast Company has named Perkins&Will one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies in Architecture three times, and in 2021, it added the firm to its list of Brands That Matter—making Perkins&Will the only architecture practice in the world to earn the distinction. With an international team of more than 2,000 professionals, the firm has over 20 studios worldwide, providing integrated services in architecture, interior design, branded environments, urban design, and landscape architecture. Industry rankings consistently place the firm among the world’s top design practices. Partners include Danish architects Schmidt Hammer Lassen; retail strategy and design consultancy Portland; sustainable transportation planning consultancy Nelson\Nygaard; and luxury hospitality design firm Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR). For more information, visit www.perkinswill.com.

About the Austin Studio of Perkins&Will

Established in 2002, the Austin studio of Perkins&Will has built a strong foundation based on the principles of the firm’s core philosophy: providing innovative programming, planning, and design services along with an unwavering commitment to client service. Located in one of Perkins&Will’s fastest growing regions, the Austin studio serves clients representing a diverse roster of market sectors: corporate and commercial, civic and cultural, corporate interiors, urban design, branded environments, higher education, and K-12 education. Recent projects include new headquarters for a variety of technology companies such as Spreetail, Sailpoint Technologies, and Dropbox, as well as the campus masterplan for Seminary of the Southwest, ACC Highland Campus Phase 2 redevelopment, and Round Rock ISD’s McNeil High School. The studio is currently developing a number of mixed-use, office, and multi-family projects in and around the central business district of downtown Austin.