McKinney York 40 Years of architecture that engages, inspires and belongs
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Celebrating 40 Years of Design!

In celebration of our 40th anniversary, we take a closer look at each word of our mission statement that influences our approach to practice. We create spaces that belong to people through mindful placemaking, identity, and connection.

headshot of Brian Carlson

“As architects we are tasked with meeting the needs of our clients, but we also have a calling to respond to the wider community. We are continually in a posture of listening and learning to create a sense of belonging for those who experience our work, and have found that a project receives its vitality through the contributions of everyone involved – the clients, the users, the community, and members of the design team.”

– Brian Carlson, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Principal

 

The Montopolis Recreation and Community Center is the centerpiece of the community serving as a central gathering and activity space, and a gateway to the Montopolis neighborhood. Through its materiality and reserved integration into the site, the design reflects the relaxed, unpretentious attitude the neighborhood sought, while providing connectivity and identity through communal spaces such as the gym, multipurpose rooms, and boxing center.

upstairs lobby with view of railings in foreground, building's front windows to the left, and exercise room with boxing punching bags to the right

Montopolis Recreation and Community Center View Project

 

In celebration of our 40th anniversary, we take a closer look at each word of our mission statement that influences our approach to practice. We create places that inspire people to do and be better through optimistic, thoughtful architecture.

headshot of Al York

“Most of our lives are spent within and around a built environment that shapes our lives and colors our thoughts and feelings. It seems to me that architects have an obligation to elevate that experience. We endeavor to create architecture that lifts and transforms lives by inspiring big ideas and bold actions, or quiet contemplation and simple wonder.”

– Al York, FAIA, RID, Principal

 

The McGarrah Jessee, an iconic building in downtown Austin exemplifying mid-century architecture, is home to the award-winning advertising and brand development agency. The renovation breathes new life to the building while delicately balancing historic preservation with a level of creative innovation that pairs with its occupant.

image of McGarrah Jessee building looking into red tunnel entrance opening to stairs and escalators towards geometric mural on back wall

McGarrah Jessee Building View Project

 

In celebration of our 40th anniversary, we take a closer look at each word of our mission statement that influences our approach to practice. We create places that engage people by inviting thought, stirring emotions, and awakening senses.

headshot of Will Wood

“One of our responsibilities as designers of the built environment is to engage our clients and the people that may experience our work. At the most ambitious level, we do that by developing concepts in each of our projects. Through careful planning, we hope our design decisions feel as though they are self-evident, ultimately creating opportunities for that engagement to occur.”

– Will Wood, AIA, RID, Principal

 

The Rox, Duke, and Danay Covert Admissions Welcome Center is the “front door” for prospective students at the University of Texas at Austin, designed to entertain, educate, and engage visitors while sharing the energy, sprit, and possibilities of the university.

image of Welcome Center at the University of Texas at Austin, wood slat panel wall with longhorn logo detail

Admissions Welcome Center View Project

 

Over the last four decades, we’ve had the opportunity to collaborate on hundreds of projects, each rooted in our desire to connect people to each other and the world round them by creating architecture that engages, inspires, and belongs.

headshot of Heather McKinney

“We believe our work is better when all voices are heard, and we are deeply committed to improving the built environment through inclusive and sustainable design. As we look ahead to the next decades and our continued growth in central Texas, we remain committed to our mission to create architecture that resonates across the full breadth of people’s humanity – their minds, their hearts, and their senses.”

– Heather McKinney, FAIA, RID, Founder

 

residence exterior at dusk with lighted interior looking through glass windows into foyer with winding stair

Winter Park Residence View Project

You can explore the studio to gain insight into our design philosophy and approach, or see our ideas come to life by viewing our work.

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Featured

All Work

The Center for Texas Financial Wellness
rendering of University of Texas financial wellness center with reception desk, glass conference room to the right, ramp down into main space, and murals on walls in background of image
Grace Episcopal Church West Campus
rendering of the front facade of a minimal episcopal church
Texas Innovation Center
receptionist desk inside a lobby.
Clements Center for National Security
Modern lobbies seating area.
Ray Benson 50 Years: Texas Music Collection
Outfits and objects in glass display cases at a museum.
Present/Past: The Robert Polidori Photographic Archive
large art exhibit entrance doors with one that reads "Present/Past" in a large white text.
Windsor Park Residence
An evening view of the new addition
Winter Park Residence
Atrium of a home with winding staircase.
Texas School for the Deaf Administration and Welcome Center and Early Learning Center
The large front facade of a modern building with a sign that reads "ADMINISTRSTIVE AND WELCOME CENTER".
Rawson Saunders School Master Planning
Rendering of children outside of a large school building.
The University of Texas at Austin Texas One Stop
A row of desks in front a wall the reads " The University of Texas at Austin Texas One Stop".
Velarium House
rendering of a modern house's back yard pool area
Community First! Village Micro House 2
The front facade of a small home.
Currency Collection: Frost Tower Lobby
A close-up photo of display cases with old coins attached to a wall.
Rollingwood Residence
A head-on view of a house and its surrounding landscaping.
Optique
The glass facade of a glasses store in an outdoor mall.
60 Minutes: The Pioneers Who Changed TV News
a exhibit entrance comprised of three walls with center place once reading "60 MINUTES The Pioneers Who Changed Tv News".
Lonesome Dove: Permanent Collection
Exhibit room with two glass displays and Writing on the wall that is titles "LONESOME DOVE".
Willie Nelson: Texas Icon
A small exhibit on the great American hero Willie Nelson sponsored by the Briscoe Center for American History in the Austin Bergstrom International Airport.
St. Richard’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall
Front view of whole church compound at dusk.
The Story of Frost: Frost Tower Mezzanine
Man reading display case descriptions.
West Lake Residence
View of dining room through glass front door. Homes Tour '19
Exploring the American South: The Briscoe Center’s Southern History Collections
Exhibit wall with large graphic of historic map that reads "Mississippi territory".
The Wittliff Collections Renovation
Wood colored bight exhibit rooms with two bronze busts.
Canyon Lake Pool Cabana
A pool's view of nearby lake in evening.
Comedor
Black exteriors of two floors building downtown. AEGB Rated
Valley Residence
Front landscaping of a modern house.
The University of Texas at Austin Student Activity Center South Courtyard
A large tree with a deck built around it.
Saddle Creek House
Symmetrical entrance of home.
Admiral Nimitz Museum Interior Renovation
A visitor being helped at a reception desk.
Ridge Oak Residence
Front entrance of a modern home. Homes Tour '16
The Tasty Spoon
Order counter of a gelato shop.
Community First! Village Micro House
A micro home.
The University of Texas at Austin College of Education Interiors
Students working in communal seating area.
Texas Restaurant Association Headquarters
Chairs at table in office.
Briscoe Center for American History
An entrance to a building titled Briscoe center for American history.
Frost Bank North Austin
The front of a Frost bank.
African American Cultural & Heritage Facility
A small house next to a building titled "African American Cultural & Heritage Facility". LEED Gold
Avenue G Alley Flat
A modern house fenced in with a fence titled "B".
McGarrah Jessee
Escalators leading up to center of office building.
The Christian-Green Gallery
People in art exhibit visible through large glass wall.
Hostel 512
An exterior seating area of a hostel.
The University of Texas at Austin Holland Family Student Center
Two students working together at desk. LEED Gold
Backyard Art Studio
Large sliding doors of a home's separated art studio.
Austin Shelter for Women and Children
People outside of small building. LEED Gold
Urban Roof Deck
People socializing on downtown Austin rooftop deck at dusk.
Zilker House
minimalist winding staircase of a home.
Mount Barker Residence
Path down to a houses entrance.
Central Chilling Station No. 6
Exterior courtyard and walkways of university campus buildings.
Blanton Museum Second Floor Gallery Renovation
Graphic across huge wall that readera eads "COLLECTION".
Maggie Louise Confections
The front entrance to a chic chocolate store.
Shavano Park House
A homes backyard pavers connecting it to a pool
The University of Texas at Austin College of Education Project Visioning
Rendering of people walking through and chatting in central lobby of the College of Education at University of Texas.
Anderson Village Multifamily Development
Metal exterior stairs of a green two floor apartment building. AEGB 4-Star
Robbs Run House
A small dining corner connected to kitchen with colorful. backsplash. Homes Tour '05 + AEGB 5-Star
Austin City Loft
Large two floor bookcase in a home. Homes Tour Premier Party '05
The University of Texas at Austin College of Education Identity Design
glass wall with large text across the reads "the university of Texas at Austin College of education".
Frost Tower Lobby and Mezzanine
Lake Travis UMC Ministry Activities Center
Entrance walk and awning of a building.
Campus Events + Entertainment
Students working in lounge chairs of a lobby space around a coffee table.
Texas Union Courtyard
Patio a walkways connecting university buildings.
McGarrah Jessee Expansion
Women reading at a bench in an office.
MetroRapid Stations
People waiting for bus to arrive at their stop at dusk.
Capitol Quarters
facade of white apartment building with plants hanging down from roof. AEGB 4-Star
Waco Residence
Living room with large window wall.
Kent R. Hance Chapel
Rows of church pews.
The University of Texas at Austin Communications Building A Lobby
A library's diverse working arrangements.
Kinsolving Dormitory
College dorm.
Texas State University Round Rock Campus Services Building
Sidewalk leading to entrance of a building.
Mckinney York Architects
The McKinney York Architects office.
Trinity Episcopal Church
People leaving a church into its parking lot.
Stephenville Ranch
A ranch house visible from its tall grass property.
Frost Bank
Candles inside a fireplace at a bank lobby.
Buddy Holly Center
Steps leading to covered deck pathway alongside a building.
City Of Leander Transit Facility
Buses picking passengers up at station.
Texas Union Wi-Fi Lounge
Somone in cowboy boots with their feet licked up in a sitting area coffee table.
Smith Family Chapel
The top of a church raising through trees in the distance.
Paper Planet
A store front titled "Paper Planet".
Walker Ranch Business Park Lobby
Rendering of modern stairwell within office.
Liberty Oak Ranch
Rendering of fireplace lounge area besides a concrete patio dining space of a home.
Ascalon Medical Office Building
Rendering of a first-floor lounge area next to a central staircase.
Wildcat Club Residence
Rendering of the back a large modern home with a pool and surrounded by trees.
Yoakum National Bank – Yoakum Branch
People inside bright sleek bank.
Holiday Beach House
Rendering of large modern beach house with many balconies.
Lake Joseph Cottage
Rendering of people sitting around back patio of two-story lake house.
Garage P1 at The Backyard
Rendering of a stairwell structure of a parking garage.
University of Texas at Austin Hogg Memorial Auditorium Renovation
People walking outside of an auditorium's doors. LEED Platinum
St. Julian of Norwich Parish Hall
Rendering of people walking into front entrance of a church.
Ashram Multifamily
Rendering of a modern apartment building at dusk from across the street.
Inks Lake State Park Headquarters Building
Rendering of families standing in front of large stone arch window.
River Ranch County Park
Rendering of a building and its neighboring street.
Great Hills Country Club
Rendering of entrance to a building.
InVision Studios
Rendering of people standing around tables in a nice restaurant.
Better Design Through Better Representation
A public presentation in an Elementary School Library.
What Architecture Brings to Art
large Midcentury Modern Mural of wall big office building.
Is an ADU Right for You?
A couch and coffee table inside connected directly to a backyard through a large garage door sized opening in a wall.
Student-Centered Spaces
People working in seating space at a university.
Design Elements that Engage & Inspire
A small water feature Infront of an outdoor seating area.
The Trouble With Trees
An outdoor palza.

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