Austin

Founded in the heart of Texas, Gensler Austin helps shape one of the country's fastest-growing and most influential cities. Rooted in Austin's spirit of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship, our multidisciplinary team delivers design-forward solutions across workplace, sports, hospitality, mixed-use, and urban development projects. We pair deep local knowledge with global expertise to create places that reflect the character of Central Texas while advancing new standards for design excellence. From downtown to the broader region, our work strengthens communities, attracts talent, and creates experiences that people genuinely want to be part of.

Awards and Recognition

News

[FPO] A new No. 1 for architecture firms in the Austin area

News

[FPO] Table of Experts: Adapting in Real Time

News

Dezeen

Gensler completed Austin’s tallest skyscraper, with coverage highlighting its stacked glass volumes, terraces, and response to the capitol view corridor.

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[FPO] Growing Austin Authentically: Business Leaders on Collaboration, Responsibility, and Opportunity

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Austin Business Journal

Industry experts shared insights into the trends expected to shape the next wave of development.

1,123

Total number of projects

Years since opening in Austin

95%

Repeat client percentage

1,123

Total number of projects

Years since opening in Austin

95%

Repeat client percentage

McDonald’s Park demonstrates how Gensler Austin is helping shape the next generation of sports venues, blending design excellence, community impact, and memorable experiences for athletes and fans alike.

Selected Projects

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McDonald’s Park Chicago FC Stadium

McDonald’s Park amplifies the fan experience and serves as the cornerstone of the city’s newest mixed-use district, The 78.

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Cincinnati Open

Tennis Within a Park: The renovation of the Lindner Family Tennis Center — featuring lush green spaces, a shaded fan pavilion, sunken court, and two-story player clubhouse — ushers the nation’s second-oldest tennis tournament into a new era.

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Sixth and Guadalupe

Sixth and Guadalupe creates a vertical mixed-use neighborhood that stacks workplace, residences, retail, and elevated outdoor life in the urban core.

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[FPO] University of Texas at Austin, Moody Center

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What’s Shaping Our Work

Research

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How the Nighttime Economy Is Rewriting Urban Design

As cities evolve, life after dark is shaping new approaches to urban design. From downtown vibrancy and public safety to climate resilience and equity, the nighttime economy is becoming a powerful driver of city planning.

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[FPO] Designing Women’s Sports Facilities for New Fans and Sponsors

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[FPO] Designing Soccer Training Centers for Peak Performance

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[FPO] How Journey Mapping Shapes Design Opportunities for the User

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[FPO] Latin American Malls: The New Town Square

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[FPO] Designing a New Future of Cities Through Wellness and Experience Design

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Office Managing Directors

Todd Runkle

Todd is the Co-Regional Managing Principal for Gensler’s South Central region and Co-Managing Director for Gensler Austin.

Kirsten Cessna

Kirsten Cessna is the Co-Managing Director for Gensler Austin.

Regional and Office Leadership

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Todd Runkle

Todd is the Co-Regional Managing Principal for Gensler’s South Central region and Co-Managing Director for Gensler Austin.

Cindy Simpson

Cindy is a Co-Regional Managing Principal of the South Central Region, a member of Gensler’s Board of Directors, and a Fellow of the International Interior Design Association.

Edward Muth

Ed has more than 19 years of architectural experience successfully leading corporate campus, commercial office building, retail, financial services, and workplace projects.

John Houser

John is a global leader of Gensler’s Live Performance Venues practice, a Principal, and a Design Director in the firm’s Austin office.

Jonathan Emmett

Jonathan is a Principal and Design Director in Gensler’s Austin office who has dedicated his career to the design of sports venues and training facilities, combining deep technical knowledge with his passion for great design to create exceptional venues across major sports leagues.

Kirk Funkhouser

Kirk is a Design Manager in Gensler’s Austin office. Since joining the firm in 2011, he has managed some of Gensler’s largest projects, including the Golden State Warriors’ arena; NFL stadium projects for the Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, and Detroit Lions; a multibillion-dollar integrated resort in Asia; and the redevelopment of Culver Studios.

Luis Santi-Merayo

Luis is a Design Director in Gensler’s Austin office who brings a unique understanding of culture, craft, and aesthetics shaped by his education and practice in Spain and Portugal.

Travis Albrecht

Travis Albrecht is a Design Director in Gensler’s Austin office and Design Resilience Leader for the firm’s South Central region.

Life at Gensler

Rooted in Austin’s creative culture, our team is passionate about delivering sophisticated design that elevates how people live, work, and connect.

@gensleraustin

Join the Team

We’re looking for talented designers, architects, strategists, and thinkers wanting to make an impact.

Join a team that’s shaping the future of Austin and beyond.

Open Roles [NEEDS INPUT: careers link]

FAQ

What makes Gensler Austin uniquely positioned in today’s market?

Located in one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities, Gensler Austin combines deep local knowledge with the resources and expertise of a global design firm, helping clients navigate rapid growth, evolving industries, and complex development opportunities.

What types of projects does Gensler Austin specialize in?

Our Austin team works across a diverse range of practice areas, including workplace, sports, hospitality, mixed-use, commercial office, entertainment, live performance venues, and urban development, delivering design solutions tailored to each client’s goals.

Who leads Gensler Austin?

The office is led by Co-Managing Directors Todd Runkle and Kirsten Cessna, supported by a multidisciplinary leadership team with expertise spanning architecture, interiors, sports, hospitality, and workplace design.

How does Gensler Austin approach design?

We believe great design should be both visionary and practical, creating distinctive environments that elevate the human experience while delivering measurable value for clients and communities.

How does Gensler Austin contribute to the region’s growth?

By partnering with organizations across Central Texas, we help shape workplaces, destinations, and civic environments that strengthen neighborhoods, support economic development, and enhance everyday life.

Does Gensler Austin work only in Austin?

No. While deeply rooted in Austin, our team works throughout Texas, across the United States and around the world, bringing local insight and global expertise to projects across a wide range of markets.

All Gensler Locations

Washington, D.C.

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Washington, D.C.