Archinect
Shawn Lutz

Shawn Lutz

Houston, TX, US

 

About 

Shawn M. Lutz is the founder and director of SML/A; an independent practice focused on communities by designing housing, houses, objects, exhibitions, and interiors. The office engages and leverages the architectural surface to speculate on the near future. We examine the architectural discipline by notions of scale—from objects to buildings for renewed dialogues and philosophies. 

Lutz has worked for several practices in Houston, New York, and Chicago on urban design, airports, commercial, residential, interior, and graphic design projects. Many projects are sited in North America and Asia, while others remain ongoing and conceptual. 

Lutz is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Houston with a pedagogical ambition to engage contemporary discourses of both new and traditional tropes in architecture through modes of representation in drawing, image, and model to enrich the pedological and architectural intelligence that contributes to our society. Adjacent to practice, Lutz focuses on research with spatial diversity of geometry informing the architectural surface and surrounding environments. Once founded through internal mechanisms, an architectural character sees a renewal of the surface in societies beyond localities—glorifying diversity. Before joining the University of Houston faculty, Lutz held teaching positions at Texas A&M University.

Lutz received a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Houston and a Master of Architecture from Harvard University Graduate School of Design.

Elsewhere:

Employment 

SMLA, Principal

www.smla.co

Jan 2015 - current
 

Education 

Harvard University, Master of Architecture

Aug 2009 - Dec 2010
 

University of Houston, Bachelor of Architecture

International Architecture Program in Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy

Aug 2001 - Dec 2006
 

Awards 

American Institute of Architects Houston / Design Awards, Award

SMLA

American Institute of Architects Houston has announced the winners of 2017 Design Awards. Framed Conoids has been awarded in the Divine Detail category.
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Jury
Betsy Williamson
Williamson Williamson, Inc.
Catherine Bird
Deborah Berke Partners

2017
 

American Institute of Architects Houston / Design Awards, Award

Morris Architects

American Institute of Architects Houston has announced the winners of 2016 Design Awards. Office Through Public Realm has been awarded in the Interior Architecture category. Shawn Lutz along with Mary Taylor, Ruth Plascencia, Marcy Newman, and Melaine Herz were honored recipients of this award for Morris Architects.

Jury

Neil Denari, FAIA
Neil M. Denari Architects

Rand Elliott, FAIA
Elliott + Associates Architects

Susan Szenasy
Metropolis Magazine

2016
 

American Institute of Architects Houston / Design Awards, Award

SMLA

American Institute of Architects Houston has announced the winners of 2015 Design Awards. EXPO 2020 Cultural Identity has been awarded in the On the Boards category.

Jury

Michael Maltzan, FAIA
Michael Maltzan Architecture

Lorcan O'Herlihy, FAIA
Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects

Mark Lamster
Dallas Morning News

2015
 

American Institute of Architects Houston / Design Awards, Award

Morris Architects
Urban Re-Vision Dallas

2010
 

Boston Society of Architects, Unbuilt Architecture, Award

Morris Architects
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Schools

2009
 

Texas Society of Architect, Award

Morris Architects
Extreme Birding, Costa Rica & Alaska

2009
 

Urban Re-Vision Dallas Competition, Honorable Mention

Morris Architects
Seeds of Integration

2009
 

Radical Innovation in Hospitality Competition, Honorable Mention

Morris Architects
Extreme Birding

2008
 

American Institute of Architects Houston / Design Awards, Award

Morris Architects
Heritage Plaza Parking Garage

2008
 

American Institute of Architects Houston / Design Awards, Award

Morris Architects
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Schools

2008
 

Society of American Registered Architects, Award

Morris Architects
Rig Hotel

2008
 

National Design Award of Excellence, Award

Morris Architects
Oil Rig Resort and Spa

2008
 

Radical Innovation in Hospitality Competition, 1st Place

Morris Architects
Oil Rig Resort and Spa

2008
 

99k House Competition, Honorable Mention

Collaboration with Jonathan LaRocca

2007
 

Areas of Specialization