Global architecture and design firm Perkins&Will has named Vandana Nayak (left) as the next managing director of the firm鈥檚 largest studio. Nayak has led the firm鈥檚 education practice in the U.S. Southwest region since joining the聽聽in 2017. She succeeds Tom Reisenbichler, who helped establish the studio more than two decades ago and will continue to oversee business strategy and performance as Regional Director for the U.S. Southwest.
鈥淭om has done more than lead our studio鈥攈e鈥檚 given it a heart and soul,鈥� said Nayak in a statement. 鈥淚鈥檓 humbled to build on such a strong foundation of design excellence and community impact. This studio truly cares about elevating the quality of life for our clients and our people through innovative design, and it鈥檚 an honor to lead the team forward into our new chapter.鈥� Nayak and Reisenbichler have been working together closely for the last year to ensure a smooth transition.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an emotional decision for me to pass the baton, but it鈥檚 one I鈥檓 proud to make because we鈥檝e found the right person,鈥� said Reisenbichler, who will now focus on client relationships and key projects, in a statement. 鈥淰andana embodies the bold, community-minded spirit we鈥檝e cultivated since day one, and she鈥檚 exceptional at creating and maintaining a clear vision. I think she鈥檚 the ideal leader to keep our energy up and eyes on the future while nurturing this incredible pool of talent and delivering the caliber of work we鈥檙e known for.鈥�
This leadership transition comes at a time of growing momentum for Perkins&Will in Dallas, having recently taken on the largest projects in the studio鈥檚 history: a multibillion-dollar pediatric hospital for Children鈥檚 Hospital and UT Southwestern Medical Center, the redesign of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas, and the largest project on campus at the University of Texas at Dallas, a new Student Success Center/Student Union.