A Texas‑based architecture firm designing high‑performance, healthy buildings globally.
Leads lab programming, design coordination, and client advisory for scientific facilities.
11 days ago ago
Expert & Leadership (13+ years)
Full Time
Houston, TX
Office Full-Time
Company Size
200 Employees
Service Specialisms
Branding
Construction Administration
Graphic Design
Green Consulting
Industrial Design
Interior Design
Master Planning
Rendering
Sector Specialisms
Brand Integration
Collegiate
Commercial
Community
Government
Healthcare
Hospitality
Interior Architecture
Role
Description
regulatory compliance
system coordination
space planning
user programming
integrated design
design review
Ensure all laboratory designs meet applicable codes, standards, and regulatory requirements such as biosafety, chemical safety, cGMP, GLP, vivarium standards, and sustainability guidelines.
Serve as the firm’s subject matter expert in laboratory planning for academic, commercial, healthcare, institutional, industrial, and government science facilities.
Participate in business development, including proposal writing, interviews, client presentations, and project strategy. Participate in industry-related events to ensure the firm remains at the forefront of laboratory planning, visible in the appropriate markets, and is known and available to potential clients and partners.
Review and coordinate specialty systems including laboratory casework and furnishings, fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, gas distribution, and equipment infrastructure.
Oversee and mentor Laboratory Planners and architectural staff, and provide training and quality control for lab related project deliverables. This includes identifying internal and external staff appropriate to grow into Laboratory Planner or similar roles.
Provide guidance on laboratory design trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in research and development environments.
Develop laboratory planning concepts, diagrams, blocking and stacking, test fits, space metrics, and functional layouts.
Support project management teams with scope definition, fee development, staffing requirements, and project schedules for lab related work.
Maintain strong client relationships and act as a trusted advisor throughout design and construction.
Lead user programming sessions with researchers, facility managers, and technical staff to define space requirements, workflows, equipment lists, adjacencies, and operational needs.
Collaborate closely with architects, engineers, and consultants to integrate lab requirements with building systems including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, process utilities, and environmental health and safety systems.
Conduct reviews during design documentation and construction to verify compliance with planning intent.
Requirements
team leadership
project management
architecture
engineering
lab planning
communication
Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage multiple projects.
Excellent communication and facilitation skills for working with highly technical user groups.
Background in architecture, laboratory planning, engineering, science facilities management, or a related science / technical field.
Professional degree in Architecture, Engineering, or related field.
Strong knowledge of lab equipment, scientific processes, building systems integration, and regulatory requirements.
Extensive experience with laboratory programming and planning across multiple scientific disciplines.
Experience in an architecture or design firm environment is highly preferred.
Benefits
Information not given or found
Training + Development
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Interview process
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Visa Sponsorship
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Security clearance
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Company
Overview
1971 Founded
Year of establishment
The company was started in 1971 in a Houston attic by John Kirksey.
2018 Austin
Opened Austin Office
The firm expanded to Austin in 2018, establishing a new office location.
Dallas 2022
Merged with th+a
The firm expanded its Texas presence by merging with th+a in 2022.
27M sq ft
Sustainability footprint
The firm has delivered over 27 million square feet of LEED-certified projects.
In a Houston attic, the firm began as a scrappy startup and has since grown into a multi-specialist architecture practice headquartered on a LEED-certified campus.
Over decades, it has pioneered healthy-building design, earning recognition for energy-efficient, resource-smart projects across commercial, educational, lab, residential, and hospitality sectors.
The firm now operates offices in Houston, Austin, and Dallas, expanding its Texas footprint and service reach.
Its portfolio includes award-winning projects like LEED-Silver SpawGlass HQ, university buildings, mixed-use high-rises, and senior-living communities through acquisitions like House+Partners.
Specialist groups serve sectors including hospitality, education (PK-12 and higher ed), labs and mission-critical facilities, residential, commercial offices, and senior living.
Notably, it has delivered Houston’s first LEED-CI and existing-building certifications—a testament to its sustainability leadership.
Culture + Values
We greatly value each other, our clients, our community, and our earth.
We value great design, environmental stewardship, diversity, and most of all, our employees.
We support individual initiatives and ambition—empowerment, freedom, and entrepreneurial spirit support long‑term careers at Kirksey.
We believe it is our responsibility to design high‑performing, healthy buildings that positively impact the people, environment, and communities they serve.
Environment + Sustainability
Carbon‑neutral by 2030
Company-wide commitment to sustainability
Committed to achieving carbon‑neutrality for all new buildings and major renovations by 2030.
22% energy savings
LEED portfolio results
Average energy savings across LEED-certified projects.
75% construction waste diverted
Sustainable practices in construction
Significant reduction in construction waste through sustainable practices.
Carbon‑neutral since 2018
Operational sustainability milestone
Operates as a carbon‑neutral company since 2018.
Signatory of the AIA 2030 Commitment since 2013, tracking predicted energy performance across projects.
Basic Green imperative: internal framework prescribing a minimum sustainability standard for all projects.
Sustainability & Building Performance team delivered over 130 LEED certified projects totaling more than 38 million sq ft.
Designed Houston firsts: first LEED for Existing Buildings, first LEED Platinum for Existing Buildings in Gulf Coast, first LEED Core & Shell and Commercial Interiors certifications.
EcoServices team since 2002: over 89 LEED certified projects across 6 systems, >29 million sq ft; first Houston‑based LEED Proven Provider.
Inclusion & Diversity
Culture explicitly values diversity alongside great design, environmental stewardship, and employees.
Austin and Houston offices emphasize leadership connecting as humans before employees to build trust.
Empowerment, freedom, and entrepreneurial spirit support long-term careers and individual development.
Fun-focused activities, such as chili cook-offs and salsa showdowns, foster team connection and culture.