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.
University of Houston, Bachelor of Architecture
International Architecture Program in Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy
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
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
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
American Institute of Architects Houston / Design Awards, Award
Morris Architects
Urban Re-Vision Dallas
Boston Society of Architects, Unbuilt Architecture, Award
Morris Architects
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Schools
Urban Re-Vision Dallas Competition, Honorable Mention
Morris Architects
Seeds of Integration
Radical Innovation in Hospitality Competition, Honorable Mention
Morris Architects
Extreme Birding
American Institute of Architects Houston / Design Awards, Award
Morris Architects
Heritage Plaza Parking Garage
American Institute of Architects Houston / Design Awards, Award
Morris Architects
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Schools
National Design Award of Excellence, Award
Morris Architects
Oil Rig Resort and Spa
Radical Innovation in Hospitality Competition, 1st Place
Morris Architects
Oil Rig Resort and Spa