Lake Flato Architects

08/21/2026

When designing Francis Parker School's new campus over two decades ago, our Learning Studio set out to create a Master Plan that reflected the school's vision: to create engaging learning environments that nurture curiosity and prepare students with the skills and knowledge they need to embrace purposeful opportunities and live joyful lives.

Twenty years after completing Francis Parker School's upper and middle school, the design continues to serve as an extension of the school's unique character and spirit, having provided the backdrop for countless student experiences and educational opportunities.

We were honored to lead a tour of Francis Parker School during the 2026 The American Institute of Architects conference, reflecting on a project so meaningful to our firm — one that continues to connect people to the landscape, and to each other, more than two decades after completion.

Learn more about the project here: https://bit.ly/3Ubsn33.

Landscape Architect: IVY Landscape Architects
Structural: KPFF Consulting Engineers
MEP: Randall Lamb Associates
Civil: WJE
General Contractor: Rudolph & Sletten
Project Manager: HR Weatherford
Photography: Paul Hester, Frank Ooms
Videography: Bluestack Media

Lake Flato team: Greg Papay, Brandi Rickels, Vicki Yuan, Laura K. Jensen, Lewis McNeel, Matt Burton, Kristin Weise Hefty and Betsy Holt Johnson.

08/03/2026

Lake Flato Architects is looking for a forward-thinking, energetic Intermediate Interior Designer (Commercial) to join our award-winning, sustainability focused design practice in Austin or San Antonio, Texas.

If you're passionate about architectural interiors, furnishings, and creating thoughtful, high-performance spaces—and have experience with architectural interiors project workflows—we'd love to hear from you.

For more information and to apply, click the link: https://bit.ly/4sBdumv

07/30/2026

Happy to our 2026 cohort. Each year, our interns bring fresh perspectives, curiosity, and creativity to Lake Flato, making meaningful contributions to our projects, our culture, and our communities. Their enthusiasm and dedication strengthen our teams and inspire new ways of thinking.

To our outstanding interns: thank you for your hard work, passion, and the impact you've made across the firm. We're grateful to have you as part of the Lake Flato community!

07/30/2026

The new terminal at San Antonio International Airport in collaboration with Corgan Inc. and constructed by HENSEL PHELPS, is quickly making construction progress. Our team visited the site for a walkthrough of the mass timber hybrid structure, getting a first glimpse of the 900,000 square-foot, 17-gate terminal set to open in Summer 2027.

Drawing inspiration from the Texas Hill Country and the exuberance of San Antonio’s Riverwalk, the design incorporates natural materials, warm earth tones, and elements reflective of the region’s landscape to create a uniquely San Antonio experience for passengers.

LF Team: David Lake, Joseph Benjamin, Jeffrey Olivares, Seth Brunner, Daniel Garcia, Braison Boykin, Victor Trautmann IV, Michael Salinas, Savanna Scherschel, Eliane Maillot & Noah Guth.

07/22/2026

What does it mean to build a regenerative practice?

We are grateful to be featured in The American Institute of Architects (AIA)’s latest article by Justin R. Wolf, which explores what it takes for a firm to live by the same principles it brings to its projects. For us, regenerative practice is not only about the buildings we design. It is about how we operate, how we hire, how we train, and how we grow.

That commitment has taken shape over the past several years. We earned our Just label in 2019 as a measure of transparency around equity and workplace practices, and later achieved B Corp status. In 2024, our renovated San Antonio office became WELL v2 Certified at the Platinum Level.

As Heather Holdridge, our Director of Design Performance, put it in the article: "It has been a real learning experience. We have been pretty transparent in the office about what our shortcomings have been. It is a journey we are still on. All these things are in the same spirit that we aspire to on projects for clients."

Read the full article here:

Industry leaders reflect on what firms need to change to become truly regenerative.

07/21/2026

We're excited to share that Lake Flato Partner Brandi Rickels will be presenting as part of the 2026 AIA San Diego Lecture Series.

Join Brandi as she shares insights into designing award-winning educational environments that connect people, place, and purpose. Drawing from Lake Flato's collaborative, place-based approach, she'll explore how thoughtful, sustainable design creates campuses that inspire learning, foster community, and respond to their unique climate, culture, and landscape.

Learn more about the session and event details: AIA San Diego Lecture Series — AIA San Diego

07/21/2026

The Fountain Valley School project has moved from vision to reality with a groundbreaking ceremony celebrating the start of construction on this transformative campus initiative. A variety of community members gathered to commemorate this significant milestone and mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the campus.

The Fountain Valley School Master Plan will reimagine the heart of campus through the addition of a new Academic Center, complemented by new pedestrian pathways and a thoughtfully designed landscape featuring native grasses and plantings inspired by the Colorado plains. Together, these new buildings and outdoor spaces will strengthen connections to the historic heart of campus while creating a welcoming campus entrance, enhancing the arrival experience, and fostering a vibrant environment for learning, creativity, and community for generations to come.

Explore the project here: https://bit.ly/4fi0BZu

LF Team: Greg Papay, Brandi Rickels, Danny Davy, and Ben Meyer.

07/17/2026

Lake Flato’s Interiors studio extends the pursuit of excellence and is grounded in purpose, wellness, and the belief that interior environments profoundly shape human health and daily experience. Our identity centers on thoughtful, contextual, and sustainable spatial design that creates emotional resonance at the human scale. Our work is deeply contextual to both land and people, not simply celebrating a place, but understanding the stories, culture, and identity of those who inhabit it.

We design environments that are rooted in their landscape while authentically reflecting the brand, personality, and aspirations of the people and businesses they serve. Through layered, curated experiences, each project becomes a form of storytelling, shaped by context, enriched by community, and uniquely tailored to its purpose and character.

Explore the complete breadth of our interior work: https://bit.ly/3QTofDJ

Featured Projects:
1-2: Ju Let (Andrea Calo)
3-4: House Zero (Casey Dunn)
5: 311 3rd Lake Flato San Antonio Office (Robert Gomez)
6-7: Westlake Dermatology (Chase Daniel)
8: 600 Congress Lowyard (Chase Daniel)
9: The Holdsworth Center (Casey Dunn)
10: Trailborn Grand Canyon (Casey Dunn)

07/10/2026

What happens when two brands with deep Texas roots come together to shape the future of hospitality and well-being?

Join Lake Flato founding partner David Lake and Canyon Ranch CEO Mark Rivers for a behind-the-scenes tour of Canyon Ranch Austin ahead of its October 2026 opening. Together, they explore how the resort's courtyards, wellness spaces, and gathering places are carefully woven into the Texas Hill Country landscape to create an immersive experience that reflects Canyon Ranch's vision for hospitality and well-being. Along the way, they share the thinking behind a place where architecture strengthens the connection to nature and supports moments of restoration, movement, and discovery. We're honored to partner with Canyon Ranch Austin in bringing this vision to life.

Video by Pearl Marketing Filmmakers