Press Releases September 19, 2023

Perkins&Will Appoints New Managing Director for its San Francisco Studio

Brandon Kent to lead the Bay Area practice of the global architecture and design firm with a commitment to innovation and collaboration.

SAN FRANCISCO—Perkins&Will welcomes Brandon Kent to the firm’s San Francisco studio as managing director. Kent brings 18 years of experience collaborating with notable Bay Area institutions—many of which are Perkins&Will’s clients—like Stanford University, Kaiser Permanente, University of San Francisco, and San Jose State University. His past work includes projects such as the Kaiser Hospital in Oakland, the campus at Stanford School of Medicine, and San Francisco State’s Manzanita Square.

“I’m honored to lead the San Francisco studio of Perkins&Will, a firm that I respect and admire deeply,” Kent says. “Globally, the firm has a reputation for redefining the boundaries of what’s possible through Living Design, and that’s exactly the kind of culture in which I’ll be able to lead thriving teams and ensure our clients’ satisfaction.”

"The prospect of enhancing people’s lives through the design of exceptional places in the Bay Area and beyond is invigorating!"

Brandon Kent

Brandon and Operations Director Megan Koehler

Kent is an experienced leader in design-build project delivery, integrated project delivery (IPD), and public private partnerships (P3). Many of the student housing, science buildings, law schools, medical schools, and classroom buildings he has worked on over the course of his career were delivered through these alternative methods. As these methods continue to grow in popularity in the Bay Area and surrounding communities, Kent’s comprehensive understanding of their nuances and complexities will make cross-disciplinary collaborations on projects smooth and efficient.

“In addition to his impressive portfolio of work, Brandon has a big-picture perspective and strategic mindset, which make him a natural fit for this role. His passion for creating joyful experiences for clients, communities, and design teams brilliantly complements our studio’s focus on design excellence, research, urbanism, and inclusive community engagement. We’re beyond excited to have him.”

Megan Koehler, Operations Director for the San Francisco studio.

Kent is a registered architect with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and a LEED Accredited Professional. He graduated from the University of Kansas and studied under Jean Nouvel post-graduation. Kent recently spoke on the Future of Student Housing at the Public Partnerships (P3) Conference in Dallas and ACUHO-i.