Great discussions took place at this year’s Interface Austin Industrial Conference! Corvus’s Emily Arbuckle moderated an insightful panel featuring Cody Bailey (Gordon Highlander), Sara Wisnieski (S. Tipton Studio), and Luke Kingham (KDW).
Key highlights from the panel discussion, as summarized by Sarah Ferreria, Senior Marketing Manager, of Method Architecture:
Market Shifts – Companies are shopping around for the perfect design-build location, but with Austin’s flipped market, build-to-suit is slowing down while tenant improvements (TIs) are ramping up to fill vacancies.
Design Trends – Austin’s industrial spaces are becoming brighter and more open, with more glass and natural light to enhance the work environment and hopefully speed up occupancy.
Flexibility is Key – To attract a broader range of tenants, more spaces are being designed with modular layouts, mezzanines, and adaptable footprints.
Manufacturing on the Rise – The focus is shifting from distribution to manufacturing, with increased demand for conditioned spaces and on-site amenities to support workforce retention.
Early Collaboration = Better Outcomes – Engaging architects, GCs, and brokers early in the process ensures cost-effective, creative solutions that align with site utilities, power needs, and future scalability.
Sustainability & Technology – While interest in LEED and sustainability is growing, most developers are only investing in basic infrastructure for now.
Workforce Challenges – The skyrocketing cost of living makes it harder to support the local workforce, emphasizing the need for thoughtful workplace design and cost-conscious construction.
