Principals in the Austin-based architectural practice previously known as Graeber, Simmons & Cowan have renamed the firm GSC Architects. The company also has relocated its offices from the downtown area to Barton Oaks Plaza at the intersection of Bee Cave Road and MoPac.

President Tom Cornelius said the new name recalls the firm’s 32-year heritage in Austin and is not unlike the initials by which many people have known the practice in the past.

“We also have unveiled a fresh graphic identity for use with our new name in the new location,” said Cornelius, “but what is not changing is our commitment as professionals in architecture and interior design to helping clients work effectively and collaboratively in their built environments.”

Cornelius has been with the firm since the 1980s and has served as President since January 2008, when he succeeded Al Simmons, who was one of three founding principals. A second co-founder, civic leader Tommy Cowan, retired from the firm at the end of 2009. The third co-founder, widely known design architect David Graeber, died earlier this year after being retired from the firm for a number of years.

Serving with Cornelius today as principals and shareholders in GSC Architects are Beth Guillot (Learning Environments – K-12), Joe LaRocca (Healing Environments – Healthcare, and Working Environments - Commercial and Interior), Paul Meyer (Working Environments – Technology and Government) and Larry Moseley (Learning Environments – Higher Education).

About the new offices

On November 1st, GSC Architects relocated to its new facilities, which include 16,000 square feet of re-designed offices and studio space. The move results from sale of the firm’s prior offices at 400 Bowie at Fifth Street, one block east of Lamar Blvd., to SXSW Inc. That building had been owned by Cornelius and four former principals in the firm. Aquila Commercial LLC brokered the sale, which closed on September 29th.

The goal in designing the firm’s new space was to create an open, corporate environment. The office features segments of bamboo-surfaced walls that form a gallery between principals’ offices and studios. Sliding walls, high efficiency lighting and uninterrupted views of the Barton Creek Greenbelt and downtown Austin are other features.

Broker Diana Holford with Jones Lange LaSalle represented GSC Architects in leasing the new space from building owner HPI Real Estate Services & Investments.

About the company

As a leading mid-size firm, GSC Architects is broadly experienced and diversified. The firm is committed to designing environments that cultivate a sense of community for those who inhabit them.

Originally established in Austin in 1978, the firm has been particularly known for its work in technology, universities and schools. GSC Architects designed AMD’s LoneStar corporate campus in southwest Austin; Austin Community College’s master planned campus and first phase buildings in Round Rock; the Texas A&M Health Science Center, also located in the Round Rock medical/education complex; several projects for Samsung; and Taylor ISD’s new high school, scheduled to open in the fall of 2011.