2026 Parkhill Excellence Awards | Architectural Achievements
The Parkhill Excellence Awards | Architecture recognizes outstanding achievements within our architecture division, celebrating the creativity, collaboration, and dedication behind each project. These awards reflect our ongoing commitment to design excellence as a core value of our Six Areas of Excellence. 2026 marks the fifth year of these awards, and this year’s guest jury, which determines the honor awards in architecture, was Ibañez | Shaw, a highly-regarded design firm based in Fort Worth.
MERIT
Arlington Active Adult Center | Arlington, Texas
Sector: Community | Civic
Parkhill partnered with the City of Arlington to design the 74,000-square-foot Arlington Active Adult Center, a space created to support wellness, connection, and lifelong activity. Designed as a welcoming hub for the community, the facility brings together fitness, recreation, and social engagement in a cohesive environment. Thoughtfully integrated into the site, the building works with the natural landscape by preserving existing trees and adapting to the terrain, so it feels like a natural extension of the surrounding parkland.
Key Project Elements
- Comprehensive wellness spaces, including a multipurpose event room, social activity areas, vocational rooms, and a full wellness center with aerobics, weight, and cardio rooms.
- Aquatic amenities that feature a therapy pool and lap pool to support rehabilitation, fitness, and water aerobics programs.
- Nature-integrated design that preserves existing trees and responds to the site’s topography, blending built and natural environments.
Bonton Farms Health and Wellness Center | Dallas, Texas
Sector: Community | Commercial
Parkhill designed the 11,000-square-foot Bonton Farms Health and Wellness Center as a pro bono effort to support the long-term health and stability of the South Dallas community. Envisioned as a one-stop hub, the center brings together healthcare, financial services, and community programming under one roof — like a neighborhood front porch where essential resources are not only accessible, but welcoming. Shaped by direct input from residents, the design reflects the priorities and voices of the community it serves.
Key Project Elements
- Integrated community services combining a wellness clinic, community gathering spaces, financial banking center, and administrative offices into one centralized facility.
- Sustainable design strategies that incorporate energy-efficient systems, low-flow fixtures, bike racks, and locally sourced materials.
- Support for local growth by enhancing access to fresh food, creating job opportunities, and supporting expanded food production through Bonton Farms initiatives.
TSTC Power & Mechanical Center
Sector: Higher Education
Parkhill partnered with Texas State Technical College to design the Power & Mechanical Center, a hands-on training facility that prepares students for high-demand careers in skilled trades. Supporting programs like Diesel Technology, HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical Line Work, the building acts like a living classroom that flows seamlessly between lecture, lab, and real-world application. Shaped by collaboration and site constraints, the design turns challenges into opportunities, creating a bold, visible anchor for TSTC’s Abilene campus.
Key Project Elements
- Purpose-built spaces support multiple technical programs with direct connections between classrooms, labs, and outdoor training areas.
- Site-responsive design (“The Wedge”) that aligns with the campus axis while maximizing visibility from the highway and responding to nearby airport and stormwater constraints.
- Transparent and industrial aesthetic using modern materials and open sightlines showcase training in action, reinforcing the value and visibility of technical education.
Frisco Nature Center (Unbuilt category)
Sector: Community | Civic
As the first phase of Frisco’s Grand Park, the Frisco Nature Center was designed as a gateway to both nature and learning — where the line between building and landscape gently fades away. Set between prairie and woodland, the center unfolds like a trail system, inviting visitors to explore, discover, and connect with the environment. Rather than standing apart from the land, the architecture grows from it, creating a place that feels grounded, immersive, and alive.
Key Project Elements
- Distributed, human-scale design with 36,000 square feet organized into smaller buildings connected by an outdoor spine, creating a village-like experience that encourages exploration.
- Ecology-driven planning that preserves native meadows, woodlands, and waterways while carefully siting structures to respect natural landforms and habitats.
- Material connection to place with locally sourced stone, reclaimed wood, and durable finishes to reflect regional identity and long-term resilience.
HONOR
Frisco EDC and Visit Frisco Offices | Frisco, Texas
Sector: Community | Interiors
Parkhill designed the 11,567-square-foot shared headquarters for the Frisco Economic Development Corporation and Visit Frisco, bringing two key drivers of the city’s growth under one roof. The space was carefully crafted to support both collaboration and independence — uniting business development and tourism efforts in a workplace that reflects Frisco’s forward momentum.
Key Project Elements
- Unified workplace strategy was used to merge two separate organizations into a cohesive environment that supports collaboration while maintaining individual identity.
- A flexible and functional layout that combines open work areas, private offices, and adaptable meeting spaces to support a variety of work styles.
- Thoughtful brand integration that balances material palette and layered design elements to reflect both organizations, creating a unified yet distinct identity.
Katherine Rose Memorial Park
Sector: Landscape Architecture
Parkhill reimagined Katherine Rose Memorial Park as a place where nature, play, and community come together seamlessly. Set within a historic pecan orchard, the 33-acre park was thoughtfully redesigned to preserve its natural character while expanding opportunities for inclusive, multi-generational recreation. Like a tree growing stronger with each season, the park builds on its roots — honoring its history while creating new spaces for connection and activity.
Key Project Elements
- A nature-preserved design that relocates key amenities out of the floodway while carefully weaving new features, such as parking and play areas, around existing pecan trees.
- An inclusive play environment that features nature-inspired play zones, signature towers, and accessible equipment designed for children of all abilities.
- Enhanced accessibility that incorporates ramps, wheelchair-accessible swings, and integrated pathways to create a seamless experience across all activity areas.
