--- title: "Mell Lawrence Architects — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/mell-lawrence-architects-pfvwus-pf~276890971 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~276890971.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Mell Lawrence Architects" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/80f3b7e90e95e6da_6226-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "913 W. Gibson St., Austin, Texas 78704, United States" latitude: 30.2428 longitude: -97.7658 phone: "(512) 441-4669" website: http://www.architecturalpolka.com rating: 5 review_count: 3 followers: 389 last_updated: 2026-09-10 --- # Mell Lawrence Architects Original Houzz profile: [Mell Lawrence Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/mell-lawrence-architects-pfvwus-pf~276890971) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Austin, TX - **Serves:** We design locally and nationally. We have collaborated with architects and clients in Austin, Bernie, Bryan, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Dripping Springs, Houston, Junction, San Antonio, and Wimberley, TX / Napa, Palo Alto, CA / Aspen, CO / Philadelphia, PA / The Hamptons, NY / North Kohala, HI - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (3 reviews) ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - 25,000 Ideabook Saves How do you move through the spaces that frame your days? This is one of the first questions we explore in pursuit of an architectural aesthetic that supports our clients’ lifestyle and rhythm. Buildings need to work amazingly well. Ours do. They reflect a deep sense of place and life pattern. This is achieved by working hand-in-hand with our clients to design the space for the rituals and the physicality of each new structure’s use. The talented men and women in our firm have a passion for merging the realities of everyday life with the architectural principles of light, art, and sustainability. We love the challenge of blending indoor and outdoor spaces with seamless transitions that acknowledge surrounding landscape elements. For us, nature’s organized spontaneity is a valuable inspiration. We are proud that our work continues to be recognized for an ability to merge the comforting sensibilities of the past with contemporary simplicity. We enjoy making the most of the warmth and texture of natural, elemental materials that have been intuitively designed with clean lines, thoughtful details, and elements of surprise. Our award-winning firm sprang to life in July of 1991, specializing in residential and small commercial designs across the country. From new homes and residential additions, to restaurants, retail, office, and public environments, our modest 7-person firm has received over 20 national, state, and local design awards. In addition, our work has been published extensively in over 50 books and magazines, including: Metropolitan Home, Western Interiors, Architectural Record, Renovate, Texas Architect, & Tribeza, among others. Accordingly, in 2001 we received the distinction of ‘Firm of the Year’ from the Austin AIA for producing consistently excellent and unique work. It was for this reason that the American Institute of Architects honored Mell Lawrence with one of its highest honors, induction to the AIA College of Fellows, in 2006. A retrospective of our work recently appeared at the University of Texas at Austin’s Mebane Gallery, entitled “Seeking the Extraordinary Within the Ordinary.” ### Services Provided - Architecture - New Construction - Renovation - and Interior Design. ### Areas Served - We design locally and nationally. We have collaborated with architects and clients in Austin - Bernie - Bryan - Corpus Christi - Dallas - Dripping Springs - Houston - Junction - San Antonio - and Wimberley - TX / Napa - Palo Alto - CA / Aspen - CO / Philadelphia - PA / The Hamptons - NY / North Kohala - HI ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Mell Lawrence Architects | | Address | 913 W. Gibson St., Austin, Texas 78704, United States | | Phone | (512) 441-4669 | | Website | http://www.architecturalpolka.com | | Followers on Houzz | 389 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mell-Lawrence-Architects/119349661415550?ref=sgm - Blog — https://instagram.com/ml\_arch/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Mell Lawrence Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/mell-lawrence-architects-pfvwus-pf~276890971) - **Website:** http://www.architecturalpolka.com - **Phone:** (512) 441-4669 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - 2014- Selected, Annual AIA Austin Homes Tour: Hollowcat Wild - 2013- Design Award, American Institute of Architects: Cotillion Pavilion - 2012- Design Award, Texas Society of Architects: Cotillion Pavilion - Check out melllawrencearchitects.com for our full list of awards! ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 3 reviews** ### All 3 reviews **★★★★★ — Quantum Windows & Doors, Oct. 2016** > Hands down one of the most talented, friendly and fun architecture firms. We have just completed our first project with Mell Lawrence Architects. Balcones House is a very clean, minimal design drawing on the simple materials of wood, glass and concrete. We couldn't be prouder to have supplied the windows and doors for this project. We highly recommend our friends at Mell Lawrence to any homeowner seeking a design team that will listen, care and perform. **★★★★★ — User, Sept. 2015** > Besides being among the most creative firms in the US they are sticklers for detail while still being mindful of costs. All this as a result of one simple characteristic: the ability to listen. The two-story home they designed and soon to be completed will be a standout in the already highly decorated Austin area. **★★★★★ — Sarabi Studio, June 2015** > We worked very closely with MLA to help bring their design for the Heron Creek Restrooms to life in the park in downtown Austin. The entire team showed great passion in this project - going far above and beyond what is typical for a designer on a project of this size. Their team was very responsive and accommodating to work with as a contractor (we fabricated the metal elements of this project). I would highly reccomend Mell and his team. ## Selected projects - [Baylor Street House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/baylor-street-house-pj-vj~1232333) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 12 - [Modd Cott](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modd-cott-pj-vj~679768) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 20 - Description: This sculptural structure, built entirely from poured-in-place concrete, houses the studio of a creative couple who are avid gardeners. The workspace is tucked into a hillside with a garage and storage area below. It resides amongst a family of structures in the surrounding two-acre garden as a tectonic object that celebrates both the textural and aesthetic qualities of the concrete material. Locally-built operable steel windows allow for ample ventilation and varied light qualities to brighten… - [Hill Country Home Office](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hill-country-home-office-pj-vj~1232351) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - [Concrete Studio](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/concrete-studio-pj-vj~20499) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - Description: This sculptural structure, built entirely from poured-in-place concrete, houses the studio of a creative couple who are avid gardeners. The workspace is tucked into a hillside with a garage and storage area below. It resides amongst a family of structures in the surrounding two-acre garden as a tectonic object that celebrates both the textural and aesthetic qualities of the concrete material. Locally-built operable steel windows allow for ample ventilation and varied light qualities to brighten… - [Sisters Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sisters-retreat-pj-vj~32319) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - Description: Two parallel hypostyle halls -- one covered by a steel trellis, the other enclosed --frame two sisters' shared family pool house and play area on a semi-rural site. The house sits amongst a small family compound of homes and includes a small kitchen, bath, and a lounge that open to an outdoor fireplace, patio and bocci ball court. A simple vocabulary of concrete, wood, glass and steel create an environment rich in texture that forms a highly controlled patterning device that animates the spaces… - [Wild Cat Hollow](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wild-cat-hollow-pj-vj~655156) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 27 - Description: Situated on a sloping site, Hollowcat Wild is a composition of three stone boxes. A guesthouse and garage stretch alongside a 6-ft-deep, 150-ft-long arching cut into the limestone strata. The main living areas are housed in a long gallery with both distant and intimate views. The two story box is occupied by a master suite and screened porch below with a den above, and is connected to the main living area by a floating glass bridge. Cypress board boxes enclose various functions within larger vol… - [Cotillion Park Pavillion](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cotillion-park-pavillion-pj-vj~662157) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - Description: Commissioned by the Dallas Parks Department to replace a 1960 era pavilion, this new shade structure bridges the gap between two groups of trees at a natural gathering place in the park. The composition of steel components abstract and mimic the idea of the hierarchy of the surrounding trees to produce similar dappled shade. The sun's movement across the sky animates the structure, catching direct light, casting shadows and patterns, and creating dynamic figure ground shapes against the sky for… - [Rocking F Ranch](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rocking-f-ranch-pj-vj~1123968) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - Description: Traditional Texas farmhouse vernacular inspired this family retreat set in rural central Texas, between Austin and Houston. The compound consists of two buildings: a main building that houses living areas and a kitchen on the ground floor and a series of guest rooms upstairs, and a bedroom wing that houses the master suite in a large tower adjacent to the children's bedroom. Lawrence applied the simple elemental materials of rural vernacular corrugated metal, wood, stone, and concrete to create… - [Watersmark](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/watersmark-pj-vj~31489) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 38 - Description: This house embraces its naturally terraced site, capturing sweeping views to the distance and intimate spaces along the site. As the house descends the slope, each room inside corresponds to a "room" outside. From the living area, which responds to a patio on a natural stone terrace, a glass bridge leads to the library overlooking a spa pool underneath, where guest quarters open onto another natural terrace. Upstairs, the private suite opens first onto a screened porch, then a balcony. This seri… - [David Peese House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/david-peese-house-pj-vj~1232307) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 [See all 10 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/mell-lawrence-architects-pfvwus-pf~276890971) ## Community Q&A **Q: What material is used for the pillar wraps?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Hi Tara - It is board form concrete! **Q: Porch/patio stone** *(in Photo Questions)* What type of stone is used for the porch/patio that long & horizontal. It has small shrubs I frontons it & lights at the stairs? Is that concrete? A response is greatly appreciated. Thank you A: Hello Heather - You are correct, it is board form concrete! **Q: SPD SmartGlass windows?** *(in Photo Questions)* Love the design! The windows appear to be spd smartwindows, exactly what Im intending to use in the Florida sun to protect the view, control the light and prevent solar heat gain. The obvious save on electricity is paramount, and it helps pay for these awesome windows. Did I miss anything?! Love to hear your thoughts! A: These are standard Southern Low E insulated glass windows, built on site. **Q: Eaves porch ceilings** *(in Photo Questions)* Can you tell me what wood species this is? A: Sure, the wood we used for the eaves is redwood. **Q: I love the fan.** *(in Photo Questions)* Who makes it? It looks like a barn fan but I've never seen one used in this setting, great idea. A: http://www.bigassfans.com **Q: Who made the pass thru window great alternative to bi fold for larger opening** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Hi all! Sorry for the late response. We designed the steel pass-through window and it was built custom by a local welder. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-10.*