Rhode Partners and DCI Engineers to Present at the CVU Americas Conference in Austin

February 18, 2026

 

Formerly known as the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, the international organization recently rebranded to the Council on Vertical Urbanism—reflecting a broader focus on how multi-dimensional growth, responsible density, and vertical solutions can create thriving, sustainable cities.

Austin is a fitting home for this year's event. CVU launched its Texas Chapter last year. Our firm’s Founding Director, Brett Rhode, is the Austin Chair to the Texas Chapter, leading efforts for this conference and furthering the conversation about the state’s rapidly evolving urban landscape and growing high-rise development.

The conference theme, "Change: Shaping Urban Growth through Density, Livability and Technology," puts Austin's own growth story front and center — examining the vertical density, infrastructure demands, and design questions that have emerged as the city has transformed over the past few decades.

Directors from Rhode Partners will be attending, Brett Rhode and Bobby Tait. On March 26th of the conference, Brett Rhode and Kris Swanson, Principal at DCI Engineers, will give a presentation on the strong collaboration between architecture and structural engineering on The Independent. The presentation will explore the key factors guiding this strategy with a focus on how context, program, and technology came together to design a memorable building. Tours of the building will be offered to attendees the following day, March 27th.

The America’s conference will further explore:

  • How can cities manage growth and increase density while preserving the distinctive character and small businesses that originally attracted residents?

  • How should resources be allocated to public transportation in a city transitioning rapidly from low-rise sprawl, particularly one accustomed to low taxes?

  • What is an appropriate architectural vernacular for high-rise and high-density development, when this is a relatively new aspect of Austin?

  • How will smart city technologies, AI, autonomous vehicles, and other emerging developments affect rapidly changing cities?

  • What is the right mix of uses given the ongoing uncertainty around office demand and housing affordability?

The three-day event will feature presentations from industry leaders and designers, networking opportunities, and off-site tours of some of the city's most vibrant and innovative towers. Professionals from all disciplines with a connection to and interest in tall buildings and urban habitat will attend — building owners, architects, developers, leaders in the construction industry, and experts associated with the technologies and psychology of making urban living sustainable and profitable.

 

Photos of previous CTBUH conferences by CVU.