Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Jarl McCombs.
Hi Jennifer, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been drawn to the intersection of creativity, problem-solving, and people. That innate appeal showed up early. While still in high school, I landed my first interior design internship at the University of Texas, and I knew almost immediately that design would be my path. I went on to earn my degree in Interior Design from Texas State University, where I also played Division I softball. My experiences in team sports deeply shaped how I approach leadership, communication, and collaboration to this day.
I now bring 27 years of professional experience to my role as Partner and Director of Interiors at Urban Foundry Architecture, LLC, as well as President of Urban Public, LLC. Since joining Urban Foundry Architecture in 2013, I have had the opportunity to create, grow, and lead the firm’s interiors studio, helping shape not only our design standards, but also the culture and collaborative spirit of the practice. In 2023, I founded Urban Public, UFA’s sister company, to extend our mission into the public sector and create meaningful, well-designed spaces that serve communities at scale.
At the core of my work is a belief that beauty lies in optimal function. I see editing as one of the most powerful tools in the design process, as it clarifies intent, elevates purpose, and ensures that every decision truly serves the project. I am most inspired by the distinct objectives each client brings to the table and the challenge of translating those goals into thoughtful, enduring design solutions.
Above all, I value community, intention, and uplifting others. Those values guide my work, my leadership, and my service, including my role as the 2025 President of CREW Austin. I am proud to have helped lead our chapter in hosting CREW Network’s Global Convention in 2025, welcoming commercial real estate industry leaders from around the world to showcase our exceptional city and community.
I am a fifth-generation Austinite and sixth-generation Texan, and my connection to this city runs deep. That sense of place and community informs both my professional work and how I show up in life. Outside the office, I am a proud mother of two remarkable girls and grateful for my wonderfully supportive partner. I love caring for plants and am endlessly fascinated by our local flora and fauna, an interest that naturally finds its way into my work through biophilic design. These days, my love of team sports is mostly expressed by cheering on my daughters, though I still sneak in a game myself when I can. I also love learning, reading, and exploring Austin’s food scene, often finding myself in passionate debates as to the best taco or coffee spot in town.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not always been a linear or predictable road, though I recognize I have been deeply privileged in many ways. I was raised with a strong foundation by parents who modeled hard work, integrity, and loyalty. Both of my parents spent their entire careers with the same organizations until retirement, and that shaped my instinct to commit fully and stay the course. I learned to be fiercely loyal, to invest deeply, and to believe that dedication would be rewarded.
Early in my career, during the 2007–2009 Great Recession, I was laid off. It was a defining moment that challenged many of the assumptions I had inherited. For the first time, I was forced to confront the reality that loyalty and effort do not always protect you from circumstances outside your control. That experience required me to pivot to a new firm and, more importantly, to develop resilience. It taught me a lesson that has stayed with me throughout my adult life: I cannot control what happens around me, but I can control how I respond.
At the same time, I have been building a career and a business while raising a family. That balance has been both the most meaningful and the most challenging part of my journey. I lost my father shortly after starting my family, and while that loss was deeply personal, the foundation my parents had laid gave me the confidence and perspective to keep moving forward. I was able to build upon their example while redefining success on my own terms.
I have also never been someone who accepts things simply because “that’s how they are.” I am naturally curious and constantly asking why, whether about systems, processes, or expectations. That mindset has pushed me to think critically, lead intentionally, and advocate for better outcomes, even when it requires difficult conversations or change.
I am fortunate to be surrounded by a strong community and support system, both personally and professionally. Those experiences have shaped how I show up as a leader today, particularly in my commitment to mentoring and supporting other women as they navigate their own careers. I believe in creating space for honest conversations, sharing lessons learned, and helping others see possibility in moments of uncertainty. If my journey has reinforced anything, it is that leadership is not about having all the answers, but about lifting others as they find their own.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Urban Foundry Architecture, LLC and Urban Public, LLC?
o What should we know? What do you do, what do you specialize in / what are you known for?
Urban Foundry Architecture is dedicated to our mission to make the world a better place through great design in urban places. Our three dedicated studios – Commercial, Multifamily, and Interiors – maintain an urban focus and work collaboratively day-in and day-out.
Urban Public is UFA’s sister company that pursues similar architecture and interiors work in the public sector. Urban Public has a symbiotic mission to make the world a better place through great design in public places.
We are urban specialists with a deep understanding of the complexity and nuance that comes with designing in dense, dynamic environments. Our work spans a wide range of project types, including office, retail, hospitality, commercial developments, and multifamily projects across the spectrum, from affordable housing to market-rate, high-end multifamily, and condominiums. We also provide comprehensive FF&E design and procurement services, allowing us to support projects from concept through completion.
What we are known for is our ability to bring an integrated, highly experienced team to each project. Architecture and interiors work in close collaboration, informed by decades of collective experience across diverse building types and delivery methods. That depth allows us to move seamlessly between different project scales and typologies while maintaining a consistently high level of design rigor.
Our clients value us not only for the range of services we offer, but for our ability to synthesize complex requirements into clear, thoughtful solutions. We approach every project with curiosity, discipline, and a commitment to design excellence, regardless of size or scope, and we pride ourselves on being knowledgeable partners throughout the entire process.
o What sets you apart from others?
What sets Urban Foundry Architecture and Urban Public apart is our ability to consistently perform at a high level on complex urban projects. We thrive in environments where constraints are real, whether that is density, zoning, historic context, public oversight, or layered stakeholder interests. Those challenges do not dilute our design approach; they sharpen it.
Our teams are deeply experienced in navigating the realities of urban development while still delivering thoughtful, high-quality design. We understand how cities work, how projects are financed and approved, and how design decisions impact long-term performance, not just aesthetics. That perspective allows us to be strong partners to our clients, particularly on projects that require both creativity and rigor.
Equally important is our integrated approach. Architecture and interiors work collaboratively from the beginning, which results in more cohesive solutions and better outcomes for users and owners alike. Through Urban Public, we extend that same mindset into the public sector, bringing design excellence, clarity, and accountability to projects that serve communities at scale.
Ultimately, our value lies in our ability to balance complexity with clarity. We embrace challenging projects, ask the right questions, and deliver design solutions that are both elevated and grounded in real-world conditions.
o What are you most proud of brand wise?
Our company culture is by far what I am most proud of as a brand. We are a people first organization, with the philosophy of giving talented, creative people the freedom to do what they do well.
o What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc.?
I want readers to understand that at the heart of our brand is a genuine belief in collaboration. We see every project and every client as an opportunity to deliver great design through a true team environment. Successful outcomes are never the result of a single voice, but of many perspectives working together toward a shared goal.
We place high value on the entire project team, from clients and consultants to contractors and community stakeholders. How we work together matters just as much as what we create. We strive to be thoughtful, engaged, and a joy to work with throughout the entire process, with the ultimate goal of reaching the end of a project feeling proud of the work and excited to collaborate again.
Our mission to provide great design in urban and public places guides the clients and projects we align with. We are intentional about the work we pursue, choosing opportunities where we can add meaningful value and create environments that serve people, strengthen communities, and stand the test of time.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is living and working in alignment. I’m deeply motivated by environments where people are encouraged to bring their whole selves, think independently, and operate with a strong sense of fairness and responsibility to one another.
Those principles influence every layer of my life, from how my family functions to how I lead teams, organizations, and engage with my community. I’m drawn to cultures that value trust over control, curiosity over assumption, and integrity over convenience. When those elements are present, people feel empowered, collaboration deepens, and meaningful work can happen.
At this stage of my career, success looks less like individual achievement and more like contributing to systems and spaces where others can thrive. If I’m doing things well, the impact shows up not just in what we build, but in how people feel working together along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: urbanfoundryarchitecture.com and urbanpublicdesign.com
- Instagram: @urbanfoundryarchitecture_atx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urbanfoundry/
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/urban-foundry-architecture
Image Credits
1. Kim Jones Photography
2. Jake Holt Photography
3. Kim Jones Photography
4. Leonid Furmansky
5. Peter Molick Photography
6. Jake Holt Photography
7. Kim Jones Photography
8. Rendering by Fluid CGI (project on S. Lamar nearing construction completion mid-2026)
9. CREW Network
