HELLO AND WELCOME

I am an architect licensed in New York State, Texas and Colorado. I have been practicing since 1988, mostly in New York City and Austin, Texas. Over the years I have come to focus on residential design, with additional experience in commercial design: retail, office space, and manufacturing. I’m a bit old school. I like to sketch, draw by hand and print out big drawings. It is vital to my creativity and can be the most efficient way to communicate. I’m not a Luddite though, I think digital tools are a great help with visualization and making construction documents. Ultimately it’s the building that matters.

I have a passion for buildings old and new, for things that are well made, work well and will last. I like simple solutions that do a lot, materials with integrity, color and texture. I appreciate inventiveness as well as history.

Many thanks to the Austin firms that allowed me to contribute and be creative: Paul Lamb Architects, Mell Lawrence Architects, and Pollen Architecture and Design. Many of the homes shown here I helped design while working for Paul Lamb.

I have gratitude also for my state school education- a BArch degree from Virginia Tech and a Masters degree from UT Austin. I count 8 years of architectural boot camp in New York City as education in life, art and business. Insight from travel, while at both universities and independently, is also invaluable to my architectural sensibility. My time on construction crews has contributed as well. To experience architecture you have to BE there.

Thank you for your interest!

Kind Regards,

Ted Young

WHY BUILD A HOUSE?

There are all the usual reasons, starting with necessity- “a roof over your head,” but there are also dreams, choices, fantasy- “I have always wanted a place by the water.” It’s so basic to humanity, making a place for ourselves. What do you want?

People have been building houses for thousands of years. In some ways nothing has changed, yet our technologies, today especially, seem ever changing. We adapt to new conditions, new standards, new desires. Things we used to not think about, we might need to start thinking about again, like where does our water come from?

A house has to function, keep you safe, keep you warm and dry. It should fit the climate, landscape, urban and social setting. We follow building codes, and should follow energy guidelines and the best construction practices. But there is a lot of freedom within what can feel like a long list of limitations. A house can be beautiful, imaginative, meaningful, a good fit for a unique person. Is there a building you love? A painting? A poem?

Teamwork is how humans do the best work. It takes a team to make a house. Owner, architect, other designers and engineers along with builders, tradespeople, and craftspeople, all contribute their expertise. Listening is essential to the process. Sharing and open discussion are required. For a small renovation or a large new house a good team can make the process a joy. Do you have a builder you know and trust?

I love doing what I do- being creative, discovering things, helping to make a beautiful home, or maybe just a bench, a room. I enjoy new builds but also enjoy renovations. In both there is a process of finding what is there and then imagining what could be. Small budgets require flexibility- paint, edit, simplify, and stay open minded. Big budgets are glorious, but have their own pitfalls. I have yet to find a magic way that gives back more than I put in. Sticking to what’s real and staying grounded bring great returns. Enjoy!