Lawrence Group Marks 25 Years of Growth in Austin, Texas

Lawrence Group is thrilled to announce the 25^th Anniversary of its Austin, TX branch.

Opened in 1999 by Lawrence Group-appointed New York modernist Architect I. Earl Swisher, Lawrence Group’s Austin office continues on a growth trajectory under the leadership of Managing Principal Luma Jaffar, AIA, RIBA, LEED BD+C who replaced Swisher upon his retirement in December 2020.

During Swisher’s 21-year tenure with Lawrence Group, he worked to position the branch as one of the top architectural firms in the Austin region for community and higher education design, with such notable projects as the Belo (renamed G.B. Dealey) Center for New Media at the University of Texas; Georgetown’s new City Hall and Municipal Court; PeopleFund’s new Austin headquarters; and other transformative projects.

A creative, strategic thinker and a 25-year-veteran of design, Jaffar is building on Swisher’s accomplishments with a plan to grow the branch’s staff and projects; strengthen its community civic expertise; grow its hospitality and multi-family housing design studio; and expand its higher education and healthcare proficiency throughout Texas.

“By achieving these goals, Lawrence Group envisions doubling the Austin office’s size in the next five years, building a team capable of handling a wider range of projects and reinforcing the firm’s presence in the Texas market. Through strategic hiring, investment in local talent, and a focus on professional development, Lawrence Group will cultivate a skilled team that can support sustained growth across all target sectors,” said Jaffar.

Images Courtesy of: GB Dealey Center (photo credit) Scott Frances

To date, Jaffar and her 12-member team have earned the privilege of working on some of the region’s most significant projects, including: the State Bar of Texas’ new Education and Event Center in Downtown Austin; Austin Community College’s Dental Hygiene Expansion at Eastview Campus; University of Saint Thomas student housing; and Austin Regional Clinic’s (ARC) specialty clinics and state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery center located at Ben White Boulevard.

“Lawrence Group has built a strong foundation in Central Texas through its work on civic projects over the past 25 years. The goal is to deepen this expertise by pursuing more opportunities with local municipalities and community organizations, positioning Lawrence Group as a leader in designing spaces that enrich public life,” expressed Jaffar. “This involves expanding partnerships, pursuing diverse project types, and continuing to support Central Texas communities with innovative, inclusive, and sustainable design.”

About Lawrence Group 

Founded in 1983, Lawrence Group is an integrated planning and design firm headquartered in St. Louis, MO with professional staff in Texas, Florida and New York. Using the power of people with great ideas to bring their clients’ dreams to life, Lawrence Group specializes in architecture, interior design, master planning, landscape architecture and furniture procurement. Lawrence Groups’ talented team of professionals work nationally and locally in healthcare, education, retail, hospitality, housing, senior living and workplace with the common goal of providing legendary customer service.

Feature Image Courtesy of: Georgetown City Hall (photo credit) Leonid Furmansky