Casey Kent joins the Austin studio of global architecture and design firm Perkins&Will as its new Corporate and Commercial, Civic, and Cultural practice leader. Committed to advancing sustainability and wellness within the swiftly growing Central Texas region, Casey will focus on identifying new opportunities for the studio while ensuring design excellence across all phases of project execution. “I admire Perkins&Will because of how they balance deep connections to local communities with the resources of a global firm,” says Kent. “I am excited to contribute my technical expertise and passion for our local communities to this exceptional team.”

A Commitment to Craftsmanship, Well-Being, and Sustainability

Kent’s penchant for design was cultivated from a young age. Growing up on a ranch, he developed a fascination with getting his hands dirty, which evolved into an appreciation for craftsmanship and skilled trades. To this day, Kent maintains a commitment to technical detail, with over 15 years of experience in project design and delivery across a variety of market sectors, including workplace, education, healthcare, and hospitality. In recent years, Kent has focused on commercial projects for clients such as Hines, Vantage Data Centers, Interpublic Group, Google, USAA, Cloudflare, and Unico Properties, leveraging emerging technologies to guide companies through the onset of the new hybrid work reality.  A WELL Accredited Professional with experience across numerous WELL- and LEED-certified projects, Kent is committed to fostering the health and well-being of people and the environment. He is a specialist in heavy timber construction, a sustainable building strategy that he aims to incorporate into future projects at Perkins&Will.

Leading the Practice

As a practice leader, Kent will manage project design and delivery for both public and private organizations while driving new business opportunities for the studio. A strong believer in the value of curiosity and humility in leadership, he looks forward to engaging with the diverse voices in the studio and encouraging innovation. “Casey is a strategic project leader and a thoughtful mentor,” says Koleman Uresti, managing director of the Austin studio. “We admire his commitment to emerging technologies and sustainable building strategies, and we are excited to see what fresh ideas he brings to our work.”

Growing Austin’s Multi-dimensional Future

Energized by Central Texas’s tremendous growth, Kent aims to continue shaping Austin and its surrounding communities. His passion for the region is inspired by its adjacencies to areas of outstanding natural beauty and its mélange of cultural influences from a variety of geographic points.

“Austin is not a one-dimensional city,” says Kent. “With so many new arrivals, there are bound to be tension points, but the underlying condition is that everyone wants to be here. With my work, I aim to help alleviate these tension points and celebrate the potential such a rich fabric of diverse voices can bring to our city.

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. Architizer named Perkins&Will the world’s “Best Sustainable Firm” in 2023, and Metropolis named it “Firm of the Year” in 2022 for its industry leadership in advancing climate action and social justice. Fast Company 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 first 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. 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 of 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 diverse 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 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.

Feature Image Courtesy of Perkins&Will