About

I love architecture. I am one of those fortunate people for whom avocation and vocation are one and the same. While I still do the occasional commercial project, and cut my teeth on institutional and public projects, my great love is residential. To me, designing a simple house is an endlessly fascinating and rewarding investigation into how structure can improve people's lives and allow their dreams to become reality. I bring over 30 years of experience designing houses for people all over the country, responding to extremes of climate and site conditions, but always striving to understand and express each clients special temperament.

I love materials. Steel and glass, wood post and beam, concrete, rammed earth, stone. These are the expressive elements in my work. These establish the character of a house and respond to site and climate.

I love the interaction between the built environment and the natural environment of the site.

I love working with people to help them achieve their dreams.

I love responsible sustainable design.

I love architecture.

Press & Accolades

Taught Advanced Design at the University of Texas School of Architecture, 2000 and 2008.

Awarded City of Austin 5 star green building award (highest rating), Rammed Earth House, 2005

City of Austin Cool House Tour, Rammed Earth house, 2005

Austin AIA Design Awards, 2000 and 2002

Austin AIA Homes Tours, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006. Featured Home, 2004

Fundamentals of Integrated Design for Sustainable Building, textbook, Keeler/Burke, Jon Wiley and Sons, 2009

Maine Home and Design Magazine, May 2012, AIA Design Theory

Down East Magazine, Summer 2013, Dolphin Marina and Restaurant

Tribeza, Austin design magazine, April 2004, Canyon View

Tribeza, Austin design magazine, September 2004, Rammed Earth House

Southern Living Magazine, July 1997, May 1999, October 1999, March 2000, May 2000

Southern Living Magazine, April 2000, Feature and Cover

Southern Living Magazine, book, Secrets to Great Kitchens, 2002

Austin and San Antonio Urban Home Magazine, November, 2013, Blue Rock

Austin Home Magazine, Fall 2013, Blanco House

Colorado Urban Home Magazine, November 2014, Blanco House

Texas Highways Magazine, Fall 1997, Umlauf Sculpture Garden addition

Austin American Statesman, newspaper article, December 2009, Blue Rock

Austin American Statesman, newspaper article, January 2010, Day Residence

Austin American Statesman, newspaper article, February, 2004, Rammed Earth House

Georgetown Sun, newspaper article, April 2000