Lake Flato Architects

Lake Flato Architects We believe in creating environments that enrich communities and nurture life.

Lake Flato creates environments that are tactile and modern, environmentally responsible, and authentic, artful, and well-crafted. The firm’s designs evolve from an appreciation for the pragmatic solutions of vernacular architecture, the honesty of modernism, and the context of our rich and varied landscape. By employing sustainable strategies to a wide variety of building types and scales, the La

ke Flato generates architecture, interiors, and urban design & planning solutions that conserve energy and natural resources while creating high performance buildings and healthy built environments.

Last month, our team stepped away from our desks for a firmwide trail clean-up event at Olmos Basin Park in San Antonio ...
06/18/2026

Last month, our team stepped away from our desks for a firmwide trail clean-up event at Olmos Basin Park in San Antonio in support of the Great Springs Project. Led by Great Springs Project site leaders, our team joined volunteers for litter cleanup as part of a broader effort to care for the water, land, wildlife, and public health challenges facing Central Texas.

Time spent caring for local trails and waterways is a reminder that healthy communities depend on healthy landscapes. These shared public places connect us to each other, to our city, and to the larger ecological systems that sustain the region.

Thank you to Great Springs Project for leading this effort, and to our Lake Flato team members who showed up, pitched in, and helped care for Olmos Basin Park.

We are honored to be named a Best of Practice Award winner in the Southwest Architect category by The Architect's Newspa...
06/17/2026

We are honored to be named a Best of Practice Award winner in the Southwest Architect category by The Architect's Newspaper.

For more than four decades, we have built a practice where design excellence and environmental responsibility are inseparable pursuits. Our integrated process brings architects, interior designers, urban designers, and sustainability leaders together from the very first sketch, allowing us to address complex challenges across every scale, from regional master plans to the rooms where daily life takes shape.

This same commitment shapes our goals: net-zero performance across all projects by 2030 and regenerative outcomes by 2050, a WELL v2 Platinum-certified office in San Antonio, and a belief that architecture is a civic act in service of people and the planet.

From adaptive reuse projects that have revitalized millions of square feet of existing buildings to campus and community work serving more than 150,000 students, each project is part of a larger ecological and social system—one that calls for humility, accountability, and a long view.

This recognition affirms what has always guided our work: to design with humility, to measure what matters, and to create places that are enduring, regenerative, and deeply connected to their context.

Thank you to The Architect's Newspaper and to the communities and collaborators who make this work meaningful.

Find the 2026 award winner details here: https://bit.ly/3SyoEvz

Featured Projects:
1. Lake Flato San Antonio Office (Robert Gomez)
2. UPenn Amy Gutmann Hall (University of Pennsylvania, Jeffrey Totaro)
3. The Holdsworth Center (The Holdsworth Center, Casey Dunn Photography)
4. Awty International School (Lara Swimmer)
5. Cedar Park Public Library (City of Cedar Park, Lara Swimmer)
6. Trinity University Business & Humanities District (Trinity University, Robert Benson)
7. Scottsdale Civic Plaza (Alan Karchmer)
8. High Meadow Residence (Joe Fletcher)
9. Experimental DLT Pavilion (StructureCraft, FLOR Projects)
10. House Zero (Leonid Furmansky)

Penn Engineering’s University of Pennsylvania Amy Gutmann Hall has received a WDWRKs fb Wood in Architecture Award and w...
06/16/2026

Penn Engineering’s University of Pennsylvania Amy Gutmann Hall has received a WDWRKs fb Wood in Architecture Award and was recently recognized at the The American Institute of Architects conference.

As University of Pennsylvania’s new home for data science and AI, Amy Gutmann Hall is a model for sustainable, biophilic design. At six stories and 116,000 square feet, the building is the tallest mass timber academic facility on the East Coast.

Designed in collaboration with KSS Architects, the building connects students and researchers working in highly digital environments to the natural world through abundant daylight, expansive views, and sensory stimuli that encourage collaboration and comfort.

Its innovative mass timber structure significantly reduces embodied carbon while reinforcing the building’s identity as a beacon of innovation. A high-performance envelope reduces energy consumption by nearly 20%, low-flow plumbing fixtures reduce indoor water usage by 33%, and more than 77% of regularly occupied spaces offer views to nature.

Amy Gutmann Hall also reimagines the future of data science education, pairing flexible research neighborhoods with shared collaboration spaces that foster interdisciplinary exchange and community.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4xwLrrK

Photography: Jeffrey Totaro
AOR & Design Architect: Lake Flato Architects
Client: University of Pennsylvania
Associate Architect: KSS Architects
Landscape Architect: Ground Control Collaborative
Structural & MEP: Buro Happold
Biomimicry Computational Designer: Matsys
Lab Planner: Research Facilities Design (RFD)
Acoustics: Metropolitan Acoustics
Civil Engineer: Pennoni
Envelope Consultant: RWDI
Timber Vendor: Nordic Structures
Precast: BPDL
General Contractor: Gilbane Building

LF Team: Andrew Herdeg, Ryan Jones, Kerry Phillips, Adie Hailat, Allison Peitz, Katie Cavazos, and Ellen Zhu.

Point Dume Residence has received a 2026 Residential Design Architecture Award from Residential Design and was recently ...
06/15/2026

Point Dume Residence has received a 2026 Residential Design Architecture Award from Residential Design and was recently recognized at the The American Institute of Architects conference in San Diego.

Rooted in the timeless ethos of Southern California living, the residence dissolves the boundary between indoors and out through sunlit rooms, operable openings, and a sequence of landscaped courtyards that frame views of the Santa Monica Mountains while preserving a sense of quiet.

Designed around the owners’ passion for art and an active coastal lifestyle, the home seamlessly integrates spaces for their collection, libraries, and everyday pursuits, from surfing and cycling to tennis and swimming.

Resilience is woven into the architecture itself. Responding to wildfire and seismic risk, the home pairs durability with beauty, supported by an on-site photovoltaic array that helps power a residence built to last for generations.

View more here: https://bit.ly/3Qqr7aP

Photography: Casey Dunn
Architecture: Lake Flato Architects
Builder: William Kent Development, Inc.
Landscape Architect: Kathleen Ferguson Landscapes
Lighting: David Nelson & Associates
MEP: Monterey Energy Group

LF Team: Ted Flato, Steve Raike, Brian Comeaux, Evan Morris & Chris Currie.

We're honored that the Cedar Park Public Library has received both the 2026 Interior Architecture Award from The America...
06/12/2026

We're honored that the Cedar Park Public Library has received both the 2026 Interior Architecture Award from The American Institute of Architects and the Library Interior Design Award from the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and American Library Association. Together, these awards recognize the power of interior design to create welcoming, meaningful, and community-spirited spaces.
Designed as the community's living room, the library's interiors create a welcoming, flexible environment that supports learning, discovery, creativity, and connection for people of all ages. From quiet reading nooks and collaborative workspaces to maker areas, event spaces, and an immersive children's zone, the interior environment was carefully crafted to accommodate a wide range of experiences while fostering a sense of belonging.

Natural daylight, views to preserved heritage trees, reclaimed wood, and a palette of durable, healthy materials reinforce a strong connection to Central Texas while creating spaces that feel warm, accessible, and enduring. Elevated screened porches and a tree-shaded courtyard blur the boundaries between indoors and out, extending opportunities for gathering, reflection, and learning into the landscape.

As the civic heart of Cedar Park's Bell District, the library demonstrates how thoughtful interior design can strengthen community, support lifelong learning, and create meaningful public spaces that enrich daily life.

Learn more at https://bit.ly/4xJ3VWf

Photography: Lara Swimmer, Robert Gomez
AOR & Interiors: Lake Flato Architects
Client: City of Cedar Park⁠
Library Programming: 720 Design
Landscape: Coleman & Associates
Structural: Datum Engineers
MEP: Jose I Guerra, Inc.⁠
Civil: Dunaway
Lighting Design: Studio Lumina
AV/IT Security: DataCom Design Group⁠
Wayfinding: fd2s
⁠Envelope Consulting & Commissioning: Acton Partners Consulting
⁠MEP Commissioning: NV5
⁠Acoustics: EEA Consulting Engineers
⁠General Contractor: JE Dunn Construction

LF Team: David Lake, Ashley Grzywa, Margaux Palmer, Abheek Sarkar, Michael Salinas, Sophia Razzaque, Allison Bermel, Anisha Kamat, Cole Bennette, Michelle Kishinevsky, Clay Cottingham, Ayesha Erkin, Jonathan Smith, Warren Weaver, Heather Holdridge and Miguel Elizardo

The American Institute of Architects recently recognized Trinity University Dicke Hall + Business and Humanities Distric...
06/11/2026

The American Institute of Architects recently recognized Trinity University Dicke Hall + Business and Humanities District with a 2026 COTE Top Ten Award, marking our 17th COTE Top Ten Award.

The project renovated two historic mid-century buildings originally designed by O’Neil Ford and added Dicke Hall, a new mass timber academic facility. Together, the district connects 11 academic departments through an academic spine with indoor and outdoor collaboration spaces that extend Trinity’s design heritage and commitment to environmental stewardship.

Through integrated passive and active design strategies, Dicke Hall added 34,438 square feet of program space while reducing embodied carbon by 52% and energy use by 90%. Native planting, rain gardens, permeable pavers, and condensate capture further support the project’s performance, helping the district add 42% more square footage while increasing energy use by less than 1%. Dicke Hall is San Antonio’s first cross-laminated timber structure.

Rooted in O’Neil Ford’s legacy, the project builds upon Trinity’s tradition of innovation for a new generation.

Read about Architectural Record’s coverage of the 2026 COTE Top Ten Awards here: https://bit.ly/3Qz2lFu

Photography: Robert Benson
Architect: Lake Flato Architects
Client: Trinity University
Landscape Architect: Rialto Studio, Inc.
Structural: Datum Engineers
Civil: Intelligent Engineering Services, LLP
MEP: Introba
Lighting: Studio Lumina
General Contractor: Turner Construction Company

LF Team: Ted Flato, Ryan Jones, Andrew Herdeg, Kerry Phillips, Homero Montemayor, Jeff Olivares, Daniel Garcia and Sara Givens.

Austin Central Library has been named one of TIME’s 25 buildings that represent America.We’re honored by the recognition...
06/09/2026

Austin Central Library has been named one of TIME’s 25 buildings that represent America.

We’re honored by the recognition, but even more grateful for what the library has become since opening nearly a decade ago.

In many ways, Austin Central Library belongs to Austin. The community funded it, shaped it, and has embraced it from day one. What began as a vision for a new downtown library has evolved into one of the city’s most beloved public places—a place to gather, learn, work, create, and connect.

Located along Shoal Creek and Lady Bird Lake, the library welcomes millions of visitors each year and serves as a front porch for the city. It’s a place where students study, families spend afternoons together, entrepreneurs launch ideas, and neighbors encounter one another in unexpected ways.

TIME describes the library as “a palace for the people.” We can’t think of a better description.

This recognition comes during a particularly meaningful year as celebrates 100 years of service to the community. The Central Library is part of that ongoing story—a reminder of the value of investing in public spaces that are open, welcoming, and accessible to all.

Thank you to TIME for including Austin Central Library in this remarkable collection of American buildings and monuments.

Architect: Lake Flato + Shepley Bulfinch
Interiors: Shepley Bulfinch
General Contractor: Hensel Phelps
Landscape: Coleman & Associates
Structural: Datum
Mechanical & Electrical: Jose I. Guerra, Inc.
Plumbing: Encotech Engineering Consultants
Civil: Urban Design Group
Daylighting: Integrated Design Lab
Lighting: Clanton & Associates
Acoustics: Dickensheets Design Associates
Water: Biohabitats
Photography: LARA SWIMMER PHOTOGRAPHY, Nic Lehoux, Casey Dunn Photography

LF Team: David Lake, Jonathan Smith, Steve Raike, Daniel Lazarine, Margaret Sledge, Gus Starkey, Adrianna Swindle, John Taylor Schaffhauser & John Byrd.

Lake Flato is heading to San Diego for the The American Institute of Architects AIA26 Conference on Architecture & Desig...
06/05/2026

Lake Flato is heading to San Diego for the The American Institute of Architects AIA26 Conference on Architecture & Design, and our team is contributing to several sessions across the week.

From a full-day symposium on practical AI applications in daily architectural practice with Daniel Stine to post-occupancy research on daylight, comfort, and design performance presented by Kate Sector Gregg, the conversations span some of the most pressing topics in the field right now. Heather Holdridge will also be sharing hard-won lessons from net-zero and net-positive energy portfolios. And on Friday, Greg Papay and Brandi Rickels are leading a campus tour at Francis Parker School—a project two decades in the making.

Swipe through for session details, times, and locations. We hope you will join us for one, or all of these sessions!

See more here: https://bit.ly/4ugy6Rq.

Material restraint can make a small building feel deeply civic.Thank you to Texas Monthly for featuring Arthouse Marble ...
06/02/2026

Material restraint can make a small building feel deeply civic.

Thank you to Texas Monthly for featuring Arthouse Marble Falls and the story behind this new cultural destination in the Hill Country.

Conceived to make great art accessible, Arthouse brings together a public gallery and creative workspace on a compact infill site in downtown Marble Falls. Set beside a former 1910 post office on Main Street, the building draws from the scale, rhythm, and material character of neighboring storefronts, which Texas Monthly describes as “striking but minding its own business.”

That balance was central to the design intent.

For us, the material response to place is inseparable from the project’s broader purpose: creating an intimate, inviting setting where art, architecture, and community can meet.

Texas Monthly notes that there is “something dreamlike about Arthouse,” a quality we believe is tied to its design, the vision of its patrons, and its central mission of accessibility.

Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/436FDY5

Photography: Andrea Calo and Noel Hernandez
Architecture and Interiors: Lake Flato Architects
Landscape: Sada Uchiyama
Structural: Structure Works Consulting Engineers
MEP/FP: Consulting Engineering Services
Lighting Design: Studio Lumina
General Contractor: Square Foot Solutions

LF Team: Ted Flato, Grace Boudewyns, and Catherine St-Pierre

06/01/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2026 ART|LF reception!

This year’s exhibition, Slipstream, celebrates the interwoven nature of creative spirits through the work of wife-and-husband artists Joey Fauerso and Riley Robinson. Spanning from the 1990s to today, the collection reflects their shared lives as artists, collaborators, and parents, with their domestic and familial experiences serving as both framework and momentum for their creative practices.

The ART|LF program continues to be a cultural investment in our community and workplace, illuminating and stewarding the regional design and art ecosystem. We are honored to feature Slipstream in our San Antonio office and grateful to Joey and Riley for sharing their work with us.

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311 3rd Street
San Antonio, TX
78205

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Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm

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