Studio Balcones, Lionheart, and Connect One Design Announce Strategic Merger to Enhance Planning and Landscape Architecture Services Across the Southwest
Austin, Texas, March 27, 2025 — Three award-winning, women-owned firms – Studio Balcones, Lionheart, and Connect One Design – are excited to announce their merger, uniting under the Lionheart name. This strategic alliance merges decades of collective experience, creating a powerhouse of planners and landscape architects serving Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado.
Individually, these firms have built strong reputations for designing places that inspire connection, resilience, and beauty. Together, they are a force to be reckoned with – offering a broader range of services, deeper regional expertise, and a diverse bench of talent dedicated to shaping the future of landscapes across the Southwest.
Founded in 2016 by Rebecca Leonard, Lionheart is an award-winning, women-owned, and certified DBE/WBE/HUB planning, urban design, and landscape architecture practice known for its inclusive design process and commitment to reconnecting people with nature.
Founded in 2010 by Gyles Thornley and Sara Tie, Connect One Design is an award-winning, women-owned landscape architecture firm based in Basalt, Colorado, bringing a wealth of experience in creating sustainable and resilient landscapes that celebrate the intersection of people and place.
Founded in 2009 by Ilse Frank and Jennifer Orr, Studio Balcones is an award-winning, women-owned, and certified DBE/WBE/HUB landscape architecture studio renowned for its creative approach to integrating natural systems into urban environments across Central Texas.
Rebecca Leonard, CEO and Founder of Lionheart, expressed her enthusiasm for the merger: “When you lead with bravery and curiosity, everything else falls into place. This merger embodies our commitment to innovative design and strengthens our ability to serve diverse communities.”
Abby Gillifan, Principal Planner and Partner at Lionheart, added: “By joining forces, we can provide our clients with a more holistic approach to planning and design, weaving together ecological, cultural, and community-driven solutions across the Southwest.”
Ilse Frank and Jennifer Orr, Co-Founders of Studio Balcones, shared their perspective: “Joining forces with Lionheart and Connect One Design allows us to amplify our impact, blending our creative approaches to design resilient and beautiful spaces. We’re excited to bring even more talent and vision to the table.”
Michael Meihaus, Principal at Studio Balcones, added: “This merger is a natural evolution of our shared values and vision. Together, we can deliver even more comprehensive and innovative solutions to our clients.”
Gyles Thornley and Sara Tie, Principals at Connect One Design, echoed this sentiment: “Our combined expertise enhances our capacity to create meaningful places that connect people to the environment and each other. We’re thrilled to bring our passion for design into this next chapter.”
Operating under the Lionheart name, the merged entity will continue to deliver exceptional planning and landscape architecture services while embarking on a rebranding journey to reflect its unified identity. Clients can expect the same dedication to excellence – now with an expanded bench of talent, broader geographic reach, and a bold vision for the future of place.
