Parkhill Austin: An Austin Green Business Leader Spotlight

As a recognized Platinum-level Austin Green Business Leader, Parkhill is setting the standard for how design firms can embed sustainability into both their operations and their projects. For the architecture and engineering firm, sustainability isn’t just a checkbox — it’s a core part of who they are and how they design, plan, and build the communities of tomorrow. Whether the project is a neighborhood park, a high school expansion, or a master plan for an aspiring community, enhancing lives is one of their top priorities.

From advancing green building leadership to integrating resilient design practices across projects, read on to find out how Parkhill is helping create environments that are better for people and the planet.

Everyday sustainability around the office

Parkhill's Austin office, located at One Uptown, has spearheaded the firm's sustainable efforts in its operations, including the following initiatives:

• An active internal “Green Team” leading environmental initiatives
• Indoor plants to support employee well-being and air quality
• Food waste reduction through donating food after events
• Clear recycling education and signage
• Default double-sided printing
• Energy and water efficiency through low-flow toilets and motion lighting
• Celebrating Earth Day and Earth Hour
• Healthy and free snack and beverage options
• On-Site Bike Parking, Showers, EV charging stations, and remote work
• Incorporating climate-friendly practices in their work

Parkhill prioritizes sustainable strategies such as sustainable materials, high-efficiency systems, water-conserving design, and landscape strategies that emphasize native species and respect local ecology. The firm is committed to industry initiatives to design net-zero emissions by 2030, 2040, and 2050, including through the AIA 2030 Commitment, the SE2050 Challenge, and the AIA Materials Pledge.

The firm also conducts an annual greenhouse gas inventory and has an internal goal of achieving carbon neutrality in its operations by 2030.

Per Dan Hart, FAIA, PE, Executive VP of Architecture at Parkhill, "For the past 80 years, sustainability has been an integral part of Parkhill's guiding principles helping us successfully partner in shaping multiple resilient communities across Texas. At a local level, supporting the City of Austin's 2040 Climate Equity Plan aligns well with our vision of enhancing lives and inspiring people, and we are proud to play our part in building a more livable Austin. Parkhill believes that people are our greatest asset, and choosing the sustainable, transit-oriented Uptown development for our new Austin office location was an intentional decision towards boosting staff health & well-being, while contributing to our greater purpose of environmental stewardship."

Leaders at Parkhill recognized 

Recently, two of Parkhill’s leaders—Senior Planner Julio Carrillo and Sustainability Lead Umesh Atre—were honored by Green Business Certification Inc. as 2025 LEED Fellows. This esteemed recognition celebrates their sustained commitment to green building excellence, industry leadership, and the advancement of sustainable practices in the built environment.

"Sustainability is central to how we work every day at our Austin office. From daylight-responsive LED lighting and energy-efficient HVAC systems to low-VOC materials, recycled-content flooring, and comprehensive recycling throughout our office, our choices are helping reduce our ecological footprint. We further believe sustainability is cultural, not just operational—which is why we host green building events and Lunch & Learns to keep our team engaged and learning. We are proud to be part of Austin’s commitment to a more sustainable future, and it is indeed an honor to be recognized as a Platinum Green Business Leader," said Kory Murphy, AIA, Location Lead for the Austin office.

Is your business a green business?

If so, we encourage you to join the Austin FC Stadium by becoming an Austin Green Business Leader to get recognized for doing good work in our community. Learn more.

If you’d like your business to be featured in future Austin Green Business Leader spotlights, please contact AGBL Program Manager Mary K. Priddy.