CannonDesign named one of the most innovative companies in the world

This marks the third time CannonDesign has earned inclusion on Fast Company’s prestigious list. Others recognized in 2026 include Google, Shopify, Adidas, Walmart, Anthropic, Starbucks, World Labs, Nintendo and numerous others.

Fast Company’s annual list has become a definitive source for recognizing organizations transforming industries and reshaping society. This year it celebrates how designers "don't just create buildings, they are also tasked with solving some of the biggest problems in the world...from reducing environmental impact to increasing access to affordable spaces to fighting and rebuilding in the face of climate change.

“CannonDesign has contributed to the evolution of architecture and engineering design since our formation in 1945,” says CEO Brad Lukanic, AIA. “The rapid and groundbreaking path that drives us forward will transform spaces and places for our clients and their users. AI and the technology disruptors we are all experiencing are creating bold horizons that we’re sharing beyond our firm’s walls to help society and future practitioners.” 

Our commitment to innovation runs through all different dimensions of our company. Here are just a few recent examples: 

• Our technology and digital products team works with visionary partners (like D-Wave Quantum) on novel solutions spanning agentic AI, quantum computing, connected APIs, vector technology tools, design automation and more. 
  
• We have launched the 2nd iteration of our company’s own generative AI tool, Billie, that brings together the best of today’s AI capabilities to elevate productivity, streamline workflows and unlock faster access to information and research. 
  
• We continue to work with the leading organizations of our time across every industry sector we serve including Mayo Clinic, the Alice L. Walton Foundation, the California Institute of Technology, Penn Medicine, LinkedIn, the University of Oregon, Creative Artists Agency and more to design smarter and more impactful solutions each day. 
  

• We’re rapidly expanding the definition of what a design firm can be and impact through the launch of new service lines and multiple mergers and acquisitions. In 2025, three firms joined CannonDesign to expand our collective impact: Yellow Brick Consulting (transition and activation), Christner Architects (architecture, interiors and planning) and The Clarient Group (smart building consulting). 
  
• We’ve previously been recognized on Fortune’s 2025 Change the World List, named a Best Workplace for Innovators by Fast Company and been called the design firm making net-zero buildings a reality by TIME. 
  
• We recently added three new convergence positions to focus on cross-industry disruption. Aaron Call specifically joined as our first-ever Executive Director of Incubate & Launch, focused on championing innovation across every level of the company, spurring the launch of startups, new services, partnerships and go-to-market strategies.

We’re grateful to our teammates and our clients who have pushed us and partnered with us. Being recognized by Fast Company is something we share with all of you, and it reflects what we can achieve together along with where we’re headed next.