Talk Design

Hugh has cultivated a lifelong passion for architecture, knowing since the age of seven that designing buildings was his definitive calling. A native of the vibrant city of New Orleans, he began his professional career in Washington, DC. In 1991, he made a pivotal move to Austin, drawn specifically by the opportunity to study under the renowned architect and educator Charles Moore. His practice ev...

Today, we're joined by an architectural and interiors photographer who’s crushing it down in Austin, Texas. He grew up in Cancún, Mexico, and first picked up a camera when he was 16. That was it—he found his thing. But for a long time, it stayed a hobby. In 2020, he decided to make the jump. He left the old grind behind and went pro, focusing 100% on his photography business. Now, he’s the one peo...

After living on the property for five years, the owners were ready to build their new forever home and enlisted the help of Adam Lucas of ARLucas Construction Co. Adam recommended Studio Momentum Architects due to their experience with smaller inner-city lots and protected trees. A large live oak tree inspired the site strategy of the primary home with a detached accessory dwelling unit. This...

Stealth House redefines the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) as a private, self-sufficient retreat within a dense urban environment. Designed for a compact, alley-access lot, this 1,100-square-foot residence transforms limited space into a light-filled sanctuary through innovative planning and material selection.  Keeping innovation and a unique spatial experience in mind, there are no perimeter...

Casa Colibri is a quiet retreat tucked into the hillside of Barton Hills. The lower level is carved into the slope to reduce visual impact and preserve the surrounding tree canopy. A plaster-coated limestone wall with a German schmear finish—referencing neighborhood materials—anchors this level and forms a privacy wall at the street, shaping a calm and grounded entry. Above, the second floor hover...

This project is a renovation and new construction to create a home that is practical, enduring, and rooted in its wooded, sloping site. We worked closely with the clients to adapt an existing house to their sensibilities and an added guest house that balances utility and simplicity with generosity and ease. The house renovation focused on openness and clarity. A reworked entry layout of concrete,...

The Govalle Homestead is a design-build by Drophouse and Russ Design Studio that embraces the adaptive reuse of a 1938 East Austin home, transforming it into a contemporary estate with two structures to accommodate three generations of family. A variance was received for the project, requiring the design to retain the primary structure's original facade, which helped preserve the property's histor...

The Valburn project is a direct response to an open-minded client and a challenging sloped site. With a degree in interior design and having lived in New York City for many years, the client requested a house that would combine many of the urban typologies he experienced during his time there. Everything from high-rise penthouse condos to lofts and even urban alleys provided design inspiration. In...

Nestled on a spacious corner lot in Rollingwood, just minutes from downtown Austin, this home is a timeless sanctuary for a growing family. Balancing openness and intimacy, its design centers around a sunlit courtyard—a safe-haven for children, always within view of loved ones.  A generous covered lanai connects the main house to an office and guest retreat, fostering flexibility in daily liv...

Vista Lane is a marriage of modern detailing and traditional forms. Its steep roof pushed low over the second floor mitigates the overall building height, while a select, few dormer windows expand the interior volume on the second floor and further contribute to the home’s traditional character. In general, the architecture is sharply detailed and stripped of ornament. Interior moldings were repla...

This 1981 Acorn Deck House got its start as the model home for Central Texas in an effort to expand the Massachusetts-based company’s modular home business. Although the home featured an abundance of rich textures, expansive windows/doors, and a spacious layout, it felt dated and never fully embraced its tree-lined site and downtown views. Four homeowners later, the home now goes by the name of Th...

In this episode, architects Annie and Arthur of Side Angle Side discuss their project, the Harvey House , a featured home on the 2025 AIA Austin Homes Tour . The firm, which they started in 2016, focuses on creating thoughtful, custom homes that respond to the environment. Their philosophy is to listen intently to their clients' needs, ensuring each project feels like the client's home, not a sign...

Hamish M. Muir is a third generation Otago Architect, who is proud to be leading New Zealand’s first architectural practice. With over 20 years professional experience, he has been responsible for a wide range of project types and sizes, for discerning clients of all types throughout New Zealand, and overseas. He enjoys being personally involved with projects from concept to completion, and encour...

Stephen Collette, BBEC, BBNC, LEED AP, CAHP, BSS is a Certified Building Biology Environmental Consultant, Building Biology New Build Consultant, and retired owner of Your Healthy House, living in of Lakefield, ON, Canada. Stephen is a retired straw bale builder, having worked on two dozen straw bale structures across Ontario and Quebec. Stephen has an engineering background and became passionate...

John is an Indoor Environmental Quality Specialist with a Degree in Environmental Health Science and over 35 years of experience.    Twenty-five years ago he coauthored a pioneering book with architect Paula Baker-Laporte and medical doctor Erica Elliott titled  Prescriptions for a Healthy House: A Practical Guide for Architects, Builders, and Homeowners  (use code BANTA at che...

Cameron Levick has been helping organisations map out a clearer path to growth for almost three decades. His track record of success begins with some of Australia’s best known organisations in the food and beverage and telecommunication sectors - and continues with Plungie. He helps SMEs, private equity firms, and other investors build growth paths that are simpler, more effective, and less demand...

Ben is driven by a singular, powerful mission: to serve as a catalyst for human potential. He operates on the core belief that an extraordinary life is not a matter of chance, but of intentional design, built upon a fusion of the right mindset, effective strategies, and a deep commitment to holistic well-being. He empowers individuals to move beyond their perceived limitations, providing them with...

Andrea Keller is a licensed architect with 25 years of experience in multifamily, residential and boutique hotel design. Her work seeks to bring people into greater alignment with their core values, their communities and the earth. A key component of Andrea’s work lies in the life-long study of sacred geometry, symbols and pattern language. Andrea uses unique geometry and proportion systems f...

Gil Stunner is an internationally recognized fine art photographer and storyteller, known for his cinematic style laced with gritty realism. A former hands-on mechanic turned visual craftsman—his motto, "From wrenches to lenses," is no gimmick. It's how he lives. Gil’s work spans humanitarian missions in West Africa, vintage racing on East Coast beaches, and raw, emotional portraits from around th...

Richard Petrie is the world’s leading marketing coach for architects and designers, blending sharp strategy with cutting-edge AI to help creative professionals win better projects, charge higher fees, and work with clients they love. A former professional cricketer turned marketing strategist, Richard now coaches small design firms globally through his proven SIX-ai system—designed to give designe...

With 24 years of extensive experience in the Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, Peta has developed a versatile expertise across the residential, commercial, retail, and healthcare sectors. For nine of these years, she honed her leadership and entrepreneurial skills as the Managing Director of her own architectural company. Now serving as the Vice President at Away Digital...

With over 13 years of distinguished experience, Cory Walker stands as a highly regarded licensed commercial and residential architect based in Los Angeles, renowned for his specialized expertise in commercial adaptive reuse projects . His architectural philosophy deeply prioritizes wellness and fostering a profound connection to nature within built environments; he actively integrates natural elem...

Nicholas Tsontakis is a second-generation architect dedicated to pushing the boundaries of contemporary design while honoring the legacy and values instilled in him through years of architectural tradition. At the heart of his work is Dwell Boldly , a firm founded on the mission to craft spaces that enrich the everyday. This powerful statement captures the essence of his approach—where architectur...

At the very core of Zeke's professional identity is a deep-seated passion for three things: people, design, and the tangible process of building. It was this driving force that inspired him to found Root Architecture and Development back in 2012. He envisioned a company that was more than just a business; it was a vehicle to connect with more people, to push the boundaries of creative design, and...

Paul founded the Philadelphia Table Company (PTC) in 2014 as a creative side hustle while still actively touring with his rock band. What began as a passion project soon evolved into a full-time career as he discovered a deep love for craftsmanship and design. With an eye for aesthetics and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Paul transitioned from the stage to the workshop, dedicating himself entire...