Announcements March 28, 2024

Announcing New Firmwide Urban Design, Branded Environments, Landscape Architecture Leadership

Cassie Branum becomes firmwide Urban Design practice leader; Keith Curtis becomes firmwide Branded Environments practice leader; Zan Stewart becomes firmwide Landscape Architecture practice leader.

Three Atlanta studio designers are bringing their deep interdisciplinary experience and a long history of working together to new leadership roles as they support design excellence at every scale. Cassie Branum transitions from practice co-leader to sole firmwide practice leader for Urban Design. Keith Curtis has been elevated to the role of firmwide practice leader and design principal for Branded Environments, and Zan Stewart has been elevated to the role of firmwide Landscape Architecture practice leader.

Cassie Branum

Cassie designs for the human experience at human scale, bringing together her expertise in the fields of interior design, architecture, city planning, and graphic design. She is drawn to city building and how, despite often having the messiest challenges, it can also deliver the greatest impact.

Cassie’s exceptional breadth of experience gives her versatility and agility as a designer. Working from North America to Europe to the Middle East, she moves comfortably across cultures and between roles as designer, strategist, project manager, and planning consultant. Her strength lies in guiding the process. In any given project, she can spot where consensus is forming and build the plan on that foundation. She is consistently able to choreograph plans toward implementation.

“It is critical for Perkins&Will to have Cassie in a firmwide role because her leadership skills are coupled with a clear view of design’s potential to address the urgent issues facing cities in a way that elevates the human condition,” says Jeff Williams, Design Principal, Urban Design. “We can expect Perkins&Will’s impact to grow with Cassie’s leadership, which will benefit future generations through the legacy that design at scale can leave.”

Keith Curtis

Originally from Chicago, Keith began his career in architecture and later transitioned into environmental branding, launching our Branded Environments discipline in the Atlanta studio nearly 15 years ago. Keith brings more than 30 years of experience in developing new ways of telling stories and creating experiences in the built environment. He has developed comprehensive solutions for some of the most recognized brands in the world, including Google, Pepsi, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Atlanta Public Schools, Department of Homeland Security, Truist, and BlackRock.

A talented sketch artist, Keith’s work takes on a playful, yet powerful tone, and he loves creating designs that exceed or subvert expectations. Believing that “design is one of the most powerful forces in our lives,” Keith applies this mantra to each project—ensuring that he is always creating something that will delight, educate, and stand the test of time.

Keith succeeds longtime Branded Environments Principal Eileen Jones, who is retiring this year.

“I am excited that Keith will be taking on my firmwide role. He fully embraces the power of brand as an expression of the built environment and its importance in satisfying our clients and their customers,” says Jones.

Zan Stewart

Zan creates imaginative, resilient designs that inspire thought. In his more than 20 years of experience, he has completed transformational projects at a range of scales across the globe including civic plazas, academic campuses, cultural landmarks, corporate headquarters, adaptive reuse landscapes, botanic gardens, and national parks. On each project, he balances a strong design vision with a refined attention to detail by embracing his fine arts background.

Zan leads thoughtful landscape design on large, complex projects while drawing out the best ideas from the team and prioritizing creative problem solving for clients. His diverse skillset and award-winning portfolio of artfully crafted, sustainable landscapes is a testament to his leadership and his consistent ability to elevate his clients’ needs into beautiful spaces.

“I am delighted that Zan will lead the landscape architecture discipline. He has the vision and design acumen to elevate our work and grow the practice,” says Micah Lipscomb, Senior Landscape Architect.

Announcing New Firmwide Urban Design, Branded Environments, Landscape Architecture Leadership

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