Austin is a Designer at Rowell Brokaw Architects and came to architecture through his work on the facilities end of aquatic research laboratories at the University of Oregon. He is currently the Facility Project Coordinator for the Zebrafish International Resource Center where he oversees renovation and maintenance projects. His interest in how these facilities are designed and modified led him back to school for his master’s in architecture. He continues to address the specific issues of aquatic research facility design in various publications and speaking engagements throughout the United States.

His professional interests lie in confronting the unique challenges that complex building types present to the designer in a society that is continuing to demand much more from building that have much less impact to their surroundings. His interests in ecological design and an improved building model lend themselves well to the Pacific Northwest building climate. Austin is currently working on the Crescent Village East & West mixed-use buildings and Crescent Village Leasing Office.

Austin received his undergraduate degree in Biology and graduate architectural education at the University of Oregon.