Perkins&Will

Through advocacy, sustainability leadership, and community impact, Brittany McNairy, ASID, LEED AP, WELL AP, Senior Technical Coordinator in our Washington, D.C. studio, and Shivani Langer, AIA, Director of Regenerative Design in our Austin studio, are helping deliver holistically high-performing environments that protect both people and the planet. That work earned them recognition in this year’s U.S. Green Building Council Local Leadership Awards. “As an interior designer, I feel it’s our responsibility to understand our role in shaping the built environment and to take meaningful action to improve outcomes for our communities,” says Brittany. “In a time defined by climate change and social inequity, leadership is measured not by visibility alone, but by consistency, community stewardship, and long-term impact.” “When we think of architects, we often associate the profession primarily with the creation of aesthetically compelling buildings and spaces. Less frequently acknowledged, however, is the influence that architectural decisions have on both the environment and the health of occupants over the full lifecycle of a building,” says Shivani. “Sustainable and regenerative design requires a more comprehensive and responsible approach—one that regards beauty, performance, and well-being as equally fundamental considerations in the design process.” Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e6czmzmB

Places that give back. For Earth Month, and in the spirit of this year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” we’re thinking about regeneration as the shift from doing less harm to creating more good. It means designing places that restore living systems, support healthier material choices, and strengthen the relationship between people and the environments they inhabit. We’re starting the month with projects from around the world that ask more of a building: to generate, restore, teach, and reconnect. 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐢 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐮𝐦 is a LEED Gold and China Green 3-Star certified building that uses bioclimatic strategies to reduce energy demand. A decade since its opening, it continues to demonstrate how forward-thinking design can stand the test of time, with an intelligent facade, geothermal systems, and evaporative cooling that also serve as educational tools by making sustainability visible to visitors. University of Victoria 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 integrates living, social connection, and student engagement within a high-performance environment. Passive House certified, it achieves ambitious energy and carbon goals while exceeding the highest level of British Columbia’s Energy Step Code. 𝐁𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐮 𝐀𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐚 is set along the coast of São Paulo and draws on locally sourced bamboo as a primary material. This approach reduces the project’s carbon footprint while fostering a strong connection between residents and the surrounding landscape. 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐱 in Whitby is envisioned as a vibrant hub for sports, culture, and community. The project pairs ambitious performance goals with civic impact by targeting LEED Gold and Zero Carbon Building standards, and it incorporates geothermal energy, solar power, and the restoration of native landscapes and wetlands. HMTX Industries 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 in Norwalk is designed around the Living Building Challenge and operates as an all-electric campus powered by on-site renewable energy. The project integrates workplaces, maker spaces, and art to support creativity, well-being, and regenerative design. Check out more on our Earth Month page: https://lnkd.in/dKTwJAUs #EarthMonth #ItsNotAMoment #ItsAMindset

We’ve got the green light to transform Oxford’s former Debenhams into an innovative life sciences hub. Designed by our London studio, the project is set to become the city centre’s first commercial science facility, bringing research closer to daily life by connecting established companies, start-ups, SMEs, and academic institutions in one shared environment. “Through careful refurbishment of the heritage facades and retention of the existing structure and fabric, we’re giving the building a new lease of life and creating a home for pioneering research in the heart of the city,” says Daniel Parker, our London studio’s Science and Technology Practice Leader. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eC54kV9i

Set within Los Padres National Forest, Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles’ Camp Lakota gives girls a place to build outdoor skills while learning what it means to care for the natural world. The panelized cabins and shared facilities are carefully arranged to minimize disruption to the forest ecosystem and preserve the site’s natural beauty. Mass timber cabin floors are elevated on piers, allowing stormwater to flow naturally beneath them while providing fire resistance below. The buildings are passively ventilated through strategically placed operable windows and louvers, while the A-frame form offers a nostalgic nod to the traditional camping tent familiar to campers of all ages. Led by Principals Leigh Christy, FAIA and Gabrielle Bullock,FAIA,NOMAC,IIDA,LEED AP, the design balances environmental sensitivity with durable, welcoming spaces for the next generation of campers. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eRNTq9rm #WomensHistoryMonth #ItsNotAMoment #ItsAMindset

The Architect's Newspaper brings a special edition of Facades+ to Las Vegas on March 31. This half-day program will spotlight design case studies and educational sessions led by leading architects, engineers, and contractors, with a focus on the latest advancements in facade technology, materials, and best practices shaping the built environment. Our Director of Medical Planning, Jeffrey Dreesman, and Digital Practice Manager, Luc Deckinga, will present “Tile and Identity: Watts Medical Office Expressive Facades.” Their session explores the story behind the Kaiser Permanente Watts Learning and Health Pavilion and how close collaboration with the local community informed a vibrant mosaic tile mural. Register now to join the conversation: https://lnkd.in/e2SPzK2X

Zena Howard FAIA, our Cultural and Civic Practice Leader, recently sat down with The American Institute of Architects (AIA) to reflect on her leadership journey in the design industry. She shares insight into our firm’s priorities, advice for emerging leaders, and the experiences that continue to inform her work. Hear from her, alongside four other influential women in design: https://lnkd.in/eshT3Bg9 #WomensHistoryMonth #ItsNotAMoment #ItsAMindset 

Travelers should be able to easily transfer from one mode of transportation, like a bus or subway, to another, like a train or plane. But airports, train stations, and other facilities were often built at different times, sometimes by different agencies. They’ve grown organically over decades, resulting in inconsistent design standards and varying degrees of functionality. A recent report by transportation experts recommends practical strategies to serve travelers’ needs, and it emphasizes that placemaking and retail elements also play a role. Learn more about streamlining intermodal travel: https://lnkd.in/e4rgDvys Abubaker Azam, IAP, ACE, NIMS, ICS, Ambassador- ACRP | #GenerosityIlluminated #PWInsights #DesignInsights #TransportationDesign #MultimodalTransit

With heavy hearts, we share that our former CEO, Henry Mann, passed away on February 25 at the age of 84. He led our practice from 1999 to 2006, helping shape a defining chapter in its history and leaving a lasting mark on generations of colleagues, clients, and collaborators. During his tenure, Henry guided a remarkable period of growth, expanding the practice from 400 people to more than 1,200 across 14 studios in North America, Asia, and Europe. He also launched several key initiatives, including our commitments to sustainability, diversity, leadership development, and technical excellence. A gregarious personality, Henry established a culture of strong business fundamentals, design excellence, superlative client experience, and doing the right thing. “Henry was one of the most talented, visionary, and effective design firm leaders in the history of our profession,” says our CEO, Philip Harrison. “Perkins&Will would not be the firm we are today without Henry.” Our thoughts are with Henry’s family, friends, and the many people across our profession whose lives he touched.  Read more: https://lnkd.in/e__2tTnx

The Landing was recently featured in a Forbes article by Jeffrey Steele, exploring how today’s life science campuses are evolving to compete with modern workplaces. Designed in collaboration with JLL, SWA, and Hathaway Dinwiddie, The Landing marks the first step in catalyzing a new Innovation District in an underdeveloped urban area along Bayshore Highway. The project includes two new buildings and a shared plaza activated with amenities such as a wine bar and a rentable community event center. Together, these spaces are designed to attract industry-leading life science companies, from start-ups to established ventures, to Burlingame. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eFhUP2CT

Scottish architect Chris Hardie has designed some of the most significant cultural and civic buildings in China, Europe, and Canada, and now he’s been elevated to one of our firm's top design positions. In his new role as a Firmwide Design Director, Chris will help shape global design strategy while supporting ongoing major projects and new work across regions. Chris has led several transformative projects that exemplify our Living Design ethos, including Shanghai Library East, the Beijing Performing Arts Centre, and the Shenzhen Energy Ring—all three of which have been shortlisted for the 2026 RIBA International Awards. Other projects include the Ningbo New Library, NIO House West Lake, West Bund Grand Theatre, and Halifax Central Library, which received the Governor General’s Medal in Architecture in 2016. “Chris is a unique talent who has led transformative work over a relatively short career, and his recognition this year by the Royal Institute of British Architects speaks to that,” says our President, Lindsey Peckinpaugh. “His leadership is felt throughout our firm as well as the industry at large.” Read the full announcement: https://lnkd.in/eEdDQvWz