By Orlando Magazine. For more than four decades in Central Florida, Schenkel Shultz has helped shape Orlando’s skyline, schools, transportation hubs and community spaces. That legacy of impactful design has now earned the firm first place in Orlando magazine’s 2026 Best of ORL awards for Best Architectural Firm.
Founded in 1958 and establishing its Orlando presence in 1983, Schenkel Shultz has grown into one of the area’s most respected architecture and design studios. The studio specializes in aviation, education, public safety, urban design and community-focused projects, with a philosophy centered on collaboration, research and creating spaces that strengthen the communities they serve.
The firm’s influence can be seen throughout Central Florida. Among its most notable projects is The Edyth, a workplace turned community performance venue in the heart of Winter Park.
The studio also expanded its portfolio with the recent completion of Visit Orlando’s new headquarters, an adaptive environment that is driven by its mission to welcome visitors from all over the world
Education has also been a cornerstone of the studio’s success. Over the years, Schenkel Shultz has designed millions of square feet of educational facilities, from K-12 campuses to higher education buildings across Florida and beyond. Schenkel Shultz has earned recognition for incorporating modern learning concepts into school design and has worked on educational projects, including the award-winning Porter Family Center for Innovation and Academics at Lake Highland
In recent years, the company has continued expanding its community impact. Projects such as the new Quest Therapy Center & Academy in downtown Orlando demonstrates a creative reuse of an existing space into a transformative academy and therapy school that allows students to experience a full life.
