Perkins&Will has named Stephen Lenz, an award-winning designer and business strategist with experience across a range of industries, Planning and Strategies Practice Leader for the Chicago studio. Lenz brings a cross-disciplinary approach to providing clients with thoughtful solutions that combine research and a deep understanding of the influence of design on behavior, well-being, and business performance.
The appointment of Lenz marks a return to Perkins&Will, where he first started his career after earning master’s degrees in architecture and business, and at a time when design and workplace planning are increasingly important as organizations assess the role of their office and ways to make work more human. “I am excited to be back at Perkins&Will, where I can lead a team passionate about solving complex challenges and where strategy and design come together to improve the human experience,” says Lenz. “This moment is a catalyst for our clients, providing an opportunity to re-examine their workplace beyond its use as simply a container for work to one that actively drives the business, builds community, reinforces culture, and keeps us agile to change.”
A strategist and designer with business acumen, Lenz is able to synthesize complex information from research, client needs, and business goals into actionable and inclusive outcomes. That has informed his practice in workplace strategy, change management, and master planning, whether re-imagining existing space or designing new offices, for clients such as United Airlines, UL Solutions, Shure Corp., and Interface.
A graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Lenz is a strong advocate of the importance of giving back and sharing knowledge. He long has been involved in the ACE Mentor Chicago program and has volunteered with such organizations as the Greater Chicago Food Depository and the Movember Foundation. He also is an avid traveler and biker who enjoys spending time in nature, and is a fan of podcasts that explore questions large and small about behavioral science and business success.
