Role: Principal Creative Director

Challenge: East Village — a $1B master-planned community in Austin — sought a central park and pavilion design that could serve as the development’s cultural and social heart. The design competition attracted submissions from top-tier firms including Gensler, Bercy Chen Studio, Hatch + Ulland Owen Architects, STG, and Hitchcock Design Group, making the challenge both creative and competitive. The park needed to balance iconic placemaking with flexible programming for recreation, relaxation, and events while strengthening ties to the surrounding retail and residential districts.

Solution: I led the design vision and competition strategy, creating Circuit Park — a concept named for its circular pathway and nod to Austin’s tech culture. Using the elliptical form as a guiding principle, we defined distinct experiential zones: play, relax, community, and entertain. The elevated ring introduced a multifunctional structure for shade, lighting, sound, and branding, while anchoring the park with an iconic form. Layered green spaces, a playground, a walking loop, gardens, and a central amphitheater and great lawn ensured year-round activation for diverse user groups, from family outings to farmers markets and live performances.

Impact: Our design won the multi-million dollar contract, securing the commission over several nationally recognized firms and positioning our team as a design leader on the East Village project. Circuit Park became the signature public space of the $1B development, reinforcing the client’s trust in our firm (already engaged on the retail design) and elevating our visibility within Austin’s competitive architectural landscape.