Tim Lai ArchitecT

Tim Lai ArchitecT Architecture Philosophy

The practice believes it is our responsibility to create buildings and spaces that are intimately connected to context and function.

Practice Profile

Tim Lai Architect is a Columbus based architectural practice that provides full architecture, master planning and interior design services. The work of Tim Lai Architect finds the balance between design excellence, budget, program and project management. It creates best value and architectural quality to our clients. We work with a network of specialized professionals and consult

ants for each project from the concept, planning, documentation, construction and completion. We believe that high quality design results from a design process that builds trust and relationship with clients, consultants, contractor and end-users. The best results are created through a synthesis of concept, beauty and function. Tim Lai Bio

Tim Lai is a licensed architect (State of Ohio) with 10 years of professional experience. Since 2001, he has lead or been part of various commercial, institutional and health care projects. Born in Hong Kong, Tim graduated from the University of Hong Kong and moved to the Los Angeles in 1998 to pursue his graduate study in SCI-Arc (Southern California Institute of Architecture). He has since been living in Columbus, Ohio with his wife and two children.

TLA is seeking thoughtful, motivated, and self-driven architectural professionals to join our growing practice.See link ...
05/28/2026

TLA is seeking thoughtful, motivated, and self-driven architectural professionals to join our growing practice.

See link in bio for details.

Our new site is live! On the site, we sought to present our work with clarity and simplicity, despite the complex proces...
05/11/2026

Our new site is live! On the site, we sought to present our work with clarity and simplicity, despite the complex process of design and collaboration with our clients and partners. This is founded on our desire to simplify the process of architecture to those unfamiliar, and to ease anxiety for those who don’t know where to start. With updated photography and a simpler way to explore our work through Commercial, Residential, and Civic categories, the site will continue to expand with blogs where we share our stories and inspirations as design professionals in Columbus.⁠

Tortilla HQ in Hilliard blends office, kitchen, and hospitality into one bold, material-rich space. Stained plywood, met...
05/05/2026

Tortilla HQ in Hilliard blends office, kitchen, and hospitality into one bold, material-rich space. Stained plywood, metal, and warm wood bring an industrial edge, while a refined palette keeps it both sharp and welcoming.⁠


Swipe to see before and after—same structure, different expression. Refined white geometry with just enough color to giv...
04/27/2026

Swipe to see before and after—same structure, different expression. Refined white geometry with just enough color to give it character.⁠


Spring’s warming up and our buildings are beginning to open back up to the outdoors.⁠This custom spiral stair connects t...
03/30/2026

Spring’s warming up and our buildings are beginning to open back up to the outdoors.⁠
This custom spiral stair connects the second floor to a rooftop patio, turning a normal transition into a unique outdoor experience.⁠

We love digging into the details that make a home feel one-of-a-kind— custom moments like this are where great design lives. Let’s bring your vision to life!⁠

Eliza in her natural habitat—moving between meetings, keeping everything (and everyone) on track, and still making time ...
03/23/2026

Eliza in her natural habitat—moving between meetings, keeping everything (and everyone) on track, and still making time to connect if anyone needs anything.

Here she is out on one of her many site visits, making sure things run just as smoothly in the field as they do in the office.

She celebrated her birthday earlier this month - let's send her some well wishes!

Our Fern Hill project from 2022, a Hocking Hills cabin and Airbnb, is designed to connect with its surroundings. The roo...
03/16/2026

Our Fern Hill project from 2022, a Hocking Hills cabin and Airbnb, is designed to connect with its surroundings. The roofline defines the architecture, while the porch extends the living space outward, framing views of the forest.

With spring on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to experience this thoughtful design up close!

This backyard ADU shows how additional housing can be added by right—no complicated variance process required. These sma...
02/24/2026

This backyard ADU shows how additional housing can be added by right—no complicated variance process required. These small-footprint homes increase neighborhood density without changing its character, create flexible living options for aging family members, open doors for rental income, and expand much-needed housing supply.⁠

Interested in adding one to your property? ⁠

Render to reality.⁠⁠A look at CND (Community for New Direction) from concept to construction. Light tones and natural wo...
02/16/2026

Render to reality.⁠

A look at CND (Community for New Direction) from concept to construction. Light tones and natural wood set a calm foundation, while murals create clear focal points throughout the space.⁠

It's extremely important to us to maintain the integrity of the original design throughout the construction process. Contact us if you need assistance in bringing your vision to life.⁠

At The Players' Club in Hilliard, this locker room transformation brings a sense of calm to the indoor tennis experience...
01/05/2026

At The Players' Club in Hilliard, this locker room transformation brings a sense of calm to the indoor tennis experience, layering soft green accents with warm natural wood to create a space that feels grounded, clean, and intentional. Swipe to see the previous condition and the final product.⁠



Address

400 W Rich Street
Columbus, OH
43215

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+16143215128

Website

https://www.laiarchitect.com/career

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Tim Lai ArchitecT posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Tim Lai ArchitecT:

Share