As we are deeply rooted in the Central Texas landscape, we chose the name Studio Balcones as a reflection of our intentions and values as landscape architects.
The Balcones Fault is the significant, defining feature of Austin. It runs north/south and divides between the craggy, scenic Edwards Plateau and the rich soils of the Blackland Prairie. When the Spanish explorer Bernardo de Miranda y Flores crossed the dramatic stair-step terrain of our region in 1756, he called it “los Balcones” because of the resemblance to a series of rising balconies.
If you look closely, you can see this reflected in our logo, which we recently refreshed!
Read more about our studio in the link in our profile.
#texaslandscapes #landscapearchitect #austin #studiobalcones #hillcountry #centraltexas #balconesfault #austinhistory
What does it look like when a community reclaims its identity?
Basalt, Colorado, a historic mining town that had fallen into economic stagnation, now has a vibrant riverfront park and a reimagined main street that belongs to everyone. The 3-acre Basalt River Park hosts weekly concert nights, bringing a community together in a common space. Midland Avenue, redesigned around the Dutch "woonerf" concept of a living street, now hosts festivals, holiday celebrations, expanded space for outdoor retail and dining, and neighbors simply being together.
This is the kind of work that reminds us why place matters. We are deeply honored that the Basalt Downtown Streetscape & River Park has been recognized with a Merit Award in the 2026 CNU Charter Awards - and even more honored to have played a role in a transformation that was truly the community's own.
We're thrilled to see our Brodie Oaks Redevelopment featured in Landscape Architect, Specifier News, and Towers!
From parking lots to parkland, this 38-acre transformation is bringing 3 miles of trails, affordable housing, and vibrant green spaces to Austin. The media even coined a term for it: "BrodieOaksify"
This is what sustainable urban development looks like: a place where neighbors connect, local businesses thrive, and everyone has access to nature.
Link in bio to read the full feature!
#BrodieOaks #AustinRedevelopment #SustainableCommunity #UrbanDesign #greenspaces
Join our team!
Lionheart Places is seeking entry-level and experienced Landscape Designers.
We are an award-winning firm and recently merged with two other award-winning firms (Studio Balcones & Connect One Design). Lionheart values curiosity, bold and thoughtful design, cultivating joy, and owning our impact.
We have an immediate opening for an entry- to mid-level team member with 0–3+ years of experience.
We are searching for a candidate who can work collaboratively with a team of designers on residential, commercial, and institutional landscape projects. This candidate is expected to contribute to both creative and technical efforts on projects and must be able to think critically, communicate effectively, and produce high-quality work. This is a full-time position with a full progressive benefits package. Salaries are commensurate with role, experience, performance, and responsibility.
The ideal team member has:
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an accredited landscape architecture program
0–3+ cumulative years of experience in the discipline
AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe Suite, Lumion, Enscape, Land F/X, Vectorworks, Rhino, and GIS proficiency
Ability to create renderings, plans, and detailed drawings to communicate design intent from concept to completion
Ability to contribute and collaborate with diverse design teams on a wide variety of projects
Construction methods and materials knowledge, technical writing skills, and/or hands-on construction experience (a plus)
To apply, please email a cover letter, résumé, and portfolio (15 MB limit) in PDF format to [email protected]
Our lovely Belmont Parkway project will be on the OPEN DAYS garden tour - so buy your tickets and please come visit us on Saturday November 8th!!!! istleaf.com/the-garden-conservancy
We’re honored that Stephenville 2050, the comprehensive plan guiding this dynamic college town through its next 25 years of growth, has received the Vernon Deines - Small Jurisdiction Merit Award from @apa_smalltownrural .
With Tarleton State University growing fast and new neighbors arriving every day, Stephenville is planning boldly — and wisely. Through deep community engagement, future-focused infrastructure strategies, and fiscal resilience as a guiding principle, this plan makes sure Stephenville grows in a way that’s strong, sustainable, and uniquely its own.
Cheers to the City of Stephenville, the people who shaped this plan at every workshop and open house, and our Lionheart team for championing a vision that protects what makes this place special while welcoming what’s next.
Here’s to planning for the next generation and the next after that! 🌱✨
#StaRAwards #Stephenville2050 #ComprehensivePlan #SmallTownPlanning #LongRangePlanning #PlanningAward #UrbanPlanning #Resilience #LionheartPlaces #TexasPlanning #CommunityPlanning
Project Feature: At Frank., every detail works a little harder for Austin’s future. 🌳💚
We collaborated with @wildflowercenter to design a native green roof that does more than look beautiful — it sits at eye level with the amenity deck, capturing rainwater, cooling the urban core, and creating vital habitat for pollinators right in the heart of the city. 🐝✨
Below, the sunken plaza weaves through existing Heritage Oaks, protecting these giants while giving people shady pockets to gather, dine, or just breathe for a moment under the canopy.
This thoughtful infill turns density into community and ecology into everyday life.
See more at the link in our profile.
#Frank #AustinDesign #GreenRoof #UrbanEcology #PollinatorHabitat #HeritageOaks #NativePlants #LandscapeArchitecture #SustainableDesign #StudioBalcones #LionheartPlaces #StoryBuilt #ATX #DesignLife #UrbanOasis
Four Lionheart projects are nominated for the 2025 @uli_austin Impact Awards, recognizing places and plans shaping a more connected, resilient, and inspiring Central Texas.
🏙️ Phase I of Uptown ATX Redevelopment: setting the stage for a vibrant mixed-use district.
🌳 Roger Lavon Taylor Sr. Plaza: celebrating community legacy through thoughtful public space.
🌱 La Verde Park: turning underused land into a neighborhood green heart.
🚧 Our Future 35: Austin’s Cap and Stitch Vision Plan: reimagining I-35 as a thread that reconnects communities instead of dividing them.
We’re grateful to collaborate with partners and communities to help bring these visions to life.
✨ Congrats to all the nominees moving our city forward! Read more about them through the link in our bio!
#ULIAustin #ImpactAwards #UrbanDesign #LandscapeArchitecture #PublicSpaces #LionheartProjects #AustinTexas
We’re growing! Lionheart is seeking a Marketing Coordinator. Please share this opportunity with folks in your network!
Are you a creative communicator who loves design, storytelling, and teamwork? Lionheart is looking for a Marketing Coordinator to help craft compelling proposals, maintain marketing materials, and share our work through social media and awards.
Requirements:
✔️ Bachelor’s degree in marketing, graphic design, communications, or a related field
✔️ 1–3 years of experience in a similar role, preferably in a professional services firm
✔️ Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office
Starting salary: $60,000
This is a great opportunity to build your skills in a supportive, design-focused environment while making a real impact on how our projects and people are seen.
📍 Location: Austin (TX) office, Basalt (CO) office or US - Remote
📌 Apply today: send a cover letter and resume to [email protected]
Project Feature: The Plum Creek TIRZ 5-Year Strategic Plan is helping the City of Kyle channel its rapid growth into places that feel intentional, connected, and truly community-first.
From a meaningful Heroes Memorial and the welcoming green heart of La Verde Park, to the future Kyle Sportsplex that will get neighbors moving and playing together — this plan is all about creating spaces that bring people closer and celebrate what makes Kyle special.
It’s not just about new amenities — it’s about listening. This vision was shaped by thoughtful community outreach and a clear strategy to balance economic opportunity, environmental care, and local character.
We can’t wait to see Plum Creek’s next chapter come to life. ✨
Learn more at the link in our bio!
#LionheartPlaces #PlumCreekTX #KyleTX #UrbanPlanning #CommunityDesign #PublicSpaces #TexasGrowth
We’re hiring! Join Lionheart as our next Marketing | Business Development Lead. Please share this opportunity with folks in your network!
Lionheart — a leading landscape architecture and urban planning firm — is looking for an experienced, strategic thinker to guide firmwide marketing and business development efforts. In this senior role, you’ll work closely with our Principals to pursue meaningful projects, shape compelling proposals, and amplify our brand story across platforms.
Requirements:
✔️ Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business, or a related field
✔️ 5–8 years of relevant experience in a professional services environment (landscape architecture, architecture, planning, or similar)
✔️ Proven track record leading proposals, branding, and business development
Starting salary: $75,000
If you’re organized, collaborative, and ready to lead with creativity and rigor, we’d love to hear from you. Help us grow our impact — one project, place, and story at a time.
📍 Location: Austin (TX) office, Basalt (CO) office or US - Remote
📌 Apply now: send a cover letter and resume to [email protected]
C1D/Lionheart Principal Gyles Thornley shares how thoughtful outdoor lighting can turn any space into an experience - shaping mood, safety, and connection. From layered light to sustainable choices, it’s all about designing moments that last after sunset.
📷 Photo by Mark Waldron
🔗 Read Gyles’s interview on @urbanbonfire . Link in bio!
#LandscapeArchitecture #OutdoorLiving #DesignInspiration #LightingDesign #Lionheart
