municipal experience
A.M.D.G.
Project Luong is a firm committed to raising the bar for architectural design services, focusing on the People we serve and the customer service we provide. As architects, designers, principal, and project managers, we understand that while many municipal facilities share the same basic components to function, each building is different in its location, heritage, and department traditions. We know the best facilities are born from a collaboration between the architect and the end users. At Project Luong, we kick off each project by getting to know our clients and their departments. We want to know how they are organized, their procedures, how they respond, and ultimately what makes their department unique. Our job is to listen and learn before moving into programming and layouts. We know that there are many options for architecture and design services out there. Project Luong sets ourselves apart by our People, Approach, Value, and Efficiency. > >
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People: We ensure that our clients are in the hands of the best team for their project. We design beautiful and thoughtful buildings with precise and efficient documents to ensure your project is designed to last. Approach: We are not just project-oriented. We are, first and foremost, People- and process-oriented. Our team will fully engage with you to discuss important project considerations, such as how municipal spaces will be utilized, what architectural style is preferable, and how refined or ornate finishes will be. We want to ensure our clients enjoy ease and assurance throughout the design process. You will never have to question our dedication or passion for your project. Value: We deliver significant value to you as an Owner or Developer because we provide highly skilled personnel to your project from start to finish. Our leadership, has worked for “Big Box” firms for over 30 years collectively, understands that some projects become just a number to already stretched-thin management and are assigned to green designers without much direction. What is lost in that experience is the hands-on customer service, technical abilities, and quality control for which our People are known. Efficiency: Our firm utilizes the latest technology to provide accurate, sustainable, and efficient design. We produce high-quality 3D renderings and visualizations, allowing real-time feedback and design optimization. We have also invested in tools that enable us to manage your project’s progress both in person and virtually.
For your municipal projects, Project Luong will provide unique solutions that meet your project’s aesthetic, schedule, and budget needs. We strive to design buildings that create a sense of vibrancy, longevity, and intention, and we would love the opportunity to create together. Sincerely,
Alec A. Luong, AIA, NCARB, RID Managing Principal | Project Luong Architects, LLC alec.luong@projectluong.com o +1 346 708 8241 c +1 713 582 0996
projectluong.com
A.M.D.G.
Table of Contents 04
RELEVANT TEAM EXPERIENCE
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PRINCIPAL & SENIOR STAFF
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PEOPLE
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DIVERSITY
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PROGRAMMING PROCESS
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EXPERIENCE
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APPROACH
What is A.M.D.G.?
And why is it written on the top right hand corner of our documents?
A.M.D.G. is Latin for “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” — translated into English as “For the Greater Glory of God.” As professionals, this isn’t a political or cultural statement. It’s much simpler. It is a reminder of why we do what we do and what is really important in our lives and our work.
A.M.D.G.
Great People Creating Better Architecture. Relevant Team Experience POLICE & PUBLIC SAFETY CITY OF LA MARQUE PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING - CITY OF LA MARQUE La Marque, Texas CITY OF BELLAIRE POLICE STATION & MUNICIPAL COURTS BUILDING - CITY OF BELLAIRE Bellaire, Texas* CITY OF DEER PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER EXPANSION - CITY OF DEERPARK Deerpark, Texas* CITY OF CONROE POLICE & COURTS FACILITY - CITY OF CONROE Conroe, Texas* CITY OF CONROE RIFLE DECK - CITY OF CONROE Conroe, Texas* CITY OF COLLEGE STATION POLICE & COURTS FACILITY - CITY OF COLLEGE STATION College Station, Texas* CITY OF HEDWIG VILLAGE POLICE DEPARTMENT - CITY OF HEDWIG VILLAGE Hedwig Village, Texas* CITY OF LEAGUE CITY PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING - CITY OF LEAGUE CITY League City, Texas* CITY OF PORT ARTHUR POLICE & COURTS REMODEL - CITY OF PORT ARTHUR Port Arthur, Texas* CITY OF GRANDBURY POLICE DEPARTMENT - CITY OF GRANDBURY Grandbury, Texas* CITY OF MANVEL POLICE DEPARTMENT - CITY OF MANVEL Manvel, Texas* MONTGOMERY COUNTY SHERIFF’S SUBSTATION - MONTGOMERY COUNTY Montgomery County, Texas* CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE CITY HALL & POLICE DEPARTMENT COMPLEX - CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE West University Place, Texas*
CITY HALL & CIVIC CENTER CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER - CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD Friendswood, Texas CITY OF IOWA COLONY GOVERNMENT CENTER - CITY OF IOWA COLONY Iowa Colony, Texas CITY OF BELLAIRE CITY HALL & CIVIC CENTER - CITY OF BELLAIRE Bellaire, Texas* CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY CITY HALL & PUBLIC WORKS RENOVATION - CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY West University Texas* CITY OF FULSHEAR CITY HALL RENOVATION STUDY - CITY OF FULSHEAR Fulshear, Texas* CITY OF LA MARQUE CITY HALL RENOVATION - CITY OF LA MARQUE La Marque, Texas* CITY OF ROCKPORT CITY HALL RENOVATION - CITY OF ROCKPORT Rockport, Texas*
FIRE & EMERGENCY CITY OF CONROE FIRE STATION #7 - CITY OF CONROE Conroe, Texas* CITY OF DEER PARK FIRE STATION #3 EMS ANNEX - CITY OF DEER PARK Deer Park, Texas* WILLIAMSON COUNTY ESD #4 FIRE STATION #2 - WILLIAMSON COUNTY Liberty Hill, Texas*
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A.M.D.G.
RECREATION CITY OF BELLAIRE AQUATIC CENTER MODIFICATIONS - CITY OF BELLAIRE Bellaire, Texas* CITY OF BELLAIRE PARKS AND REC ENTRY RENOVATION - CITY OF BELLAIRE Bellaire, Texas CITY OF MANVEL SPORTS COMPLEX - CITY OF MANVEL Manvel, Texas* CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE RECREATION CENTER - CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE West University Place, Texas*
VISITOR CENTERS CITY OF BELLAIRE AQUATIC CENTER MODIFICATIONS - CITY OF BELLAIRE Bellaire, Texas* CITY OF HUNTSVILLE VISITOR CENTER EXPANSION - CITY OF HUNTSVILLE Huntsville, Texas* CITY OF LEAGUE CITY VISITOR CENTER EXPANSION - CITY OF LEAGUE CITY League City, Texas*
OTHER MUNICIPAL FACILITIES CITY OF ANGLETON ANIMAL SHELTER - CITY OF ANGLETON, Angleton, Texas CITY OF MANVEL PUBLIC WORKS - CITY OF MANVEL Manvel, Texas* CITY OF LEANDER PUBLIC WORKS - CITY OF LEANDER Leander, Texas* CITY OF IOWA COLONY MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT CENTER - CITY OF IOWA COLONY Iowa Colony, Texas CITY OF EL CAMPO PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING - CITY OF EL CAMPO El Campo, Texas CITY OF DICKINSON LIABRARY RENOVATION - CITY OF DICKINSON Dickinson, Texas WALLER COUNTY SWING SPACE - WALLER COUNTY Hempstead, Texas CITY OF PEARLAND MELVIN KNAPP ACTIVITY CENTER RENOVATION - CITY OF PEARLAND Pearland, Texas CITY OF COLLEGE STATION MONUMENT SIGN - CITY OF COLLEGE STATION College Station, Texas* CITY OF BELLAIRE PUBLIC WORKS ADMINISTRATION BUILDING - CITY OF BELLAIRE Bellaire, Texas* CITY OF BELLAIRE FACILITIES ASSESSMENT - CITY OF BELLAIRE Bellaire, Texas* EAST ALDINE DISTRICT TOWN CENTER INFRASTRUCTURE - EAST ALDINE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT Houston, Texas* CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY STORAGE FACILITY - CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY West University, Texas* MONTGOMERY COUNTY SHERIFF’S SUBSTATION - MONTGOMERY COUNTY Montgomery County, Texas* * WORK COMPLETED WITH PREVIOUS EMPLOYER
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Principal
A.M.D.G.
ALEC A. LUONG AIA, NCARB, RID MANAGING PRINCIPAL
As the Managing Principal of Project Luong, I want our work to positively impact the shape and functionality of the cities and municipalities that we have the opportunity to serve. Central to our working process is the understanding that municipal projects should respond to a community’s needs, enhance or increase civic engagement, and provide welcoming public spaces that blend with the aesthetic of a city, town, or neighborhood. In addition, I am committed to respecting taxpayer dollars by ensuring that our designs meet budget and schedule criteria and ultimately result in both aesthetically pleasing and economically sound capital improvements. My experience spans city halls, civic centers, police headquarters, EMS annexes, animal control facilities, recreation centers, administration buildings, and more. Working on a wide variety of public architecture projects has given me the knowledge and ability to problem-solve and maintain project progress even in the most unique circumstances.
Qualifications c +1 713 582 0996 alec.luong@projectluong.com
EDUCATION
Master of Architecture, Virginia Tech Bachelor of Architecture, Virginia Tech
CERTIFICATIONS HOW ARCHITECTURE INFLUENCES PEOPLE: Architecture is the original influencer. The Greeks and Romans understood this to a degree never seen again. What we design impacts generations of individuals -- actively and passively -- that interact with our buildings. Understanding that responsibility is a truly humbling force and one that drives us to use every opportunity to Create Better Architecture.
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Registered Architect - Texas #24095, Virginia #0401019744, Nebraska #A-5380, New York #044461, Colorado #ARC.00407489 Florida # AR102888, Iowa #8305 South Carolina # AR . 11536 Registered Interior Designer - Texas #12198 NCARB #124984
AFFILIATIONS
American Institute of Architects Texas Board of Architectural Examiners
Senior Staff
A.M.D.G.
YESIKA SOTO AIA, RID SENIOR ASSOCIATE Since graduating from the University of Houston with a Masters of Architecture, a large portion of my career has involved serving municipalities and their residents. At Project Luong, our core belief is that architecture is about People and making better architecture with the end user in mind. I always enjoy working with municipal clients because, first and foremost, the goal of a project is to address the public’s needs. Whether your project is a library renovation or a stateof-the-art police department headquarters, I am committed to civicoriented design and meeting the schedule and budget requirements that are important for project buy-in and implementation.
Qualifications c +1 281 818 8652 yesika.soto@projectluong.com BIGGEST CHALLENGES ARCHITECTS FACE: As an Architect, you have to be more than a designer – you have to be a problem solver. Efficiency is the key to success of every project.
EDUCATION
Masters of Architecture, University of Houston Bachelor of Architecture, Texas A&M University
CERTIFICATIONS
Registered Architect - Texas #27251 California # C-39791 Resgistered Interior Designer - Texas #12466
AFFILIATIONS
American Institute of Architects Texas Board of Architectural Examiners
STEPHEN M. RUIZ AIA SENIOR ASSOCIATE Since graduating from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Architecture, the majority of my career has involved clients in need of projects with complex programs. Buildings that need to be more than one thing in order to best serve their users. In Municipal projects, the goal of a project is to address the public’s progammatic needs and ensure that their tax dollars are being put to good use. No matter the project type all municipal facilities must serve the community in multiple capacities while also having aesthetic qualities that bring pride to their municipality. We want to ensure every client we work with has the best experience and feels all of their project needs are being handled with care.
Qualifications c +1 281 630 3419 stephen.ruiz@projectluong.com WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL PROJECT TEAM: The best project teams are well balanced and diverse in multiple components, such as skill and work style, while also having mutual respect and trust in one another.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Architecture, University of Houston
CERTIFICATIONS
Registered Architect - Texas #31161
AFFILIATIONS
American Institute of Architects Texas Board of Architectural Examiners
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People
GREAT PEOPLE CREATING BETTER ARCHITECTURE
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Project Luong is a growing firm of architects, interior designers, and administrators who understand that delivering a successful project begins well before planning and design. Based in Houston and San Antonio, Texas, and Santa Monica, California, our diverse team has more than ten decades of combined multidisciplinary experience across many project classes, including community, retail, commercial, municipal, aviation, higher education, corporate, healthcare, recreational, and multi- and single-family residential. On each and every project, we strive to create ease and cohesion throughout project start-up, execution, and close out. We stand behind our work, and our designs aim to clarify, align, and respond to our clients’ visions, missions, and goals. When we reach your goals, we reach ours.
Diversity
RELIABLE MWBE PARTNER Project Luong is a small architectural and interior design firm with an outstandingly diverse team that makes a large impact. Our firm’s leadership is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace by promoting minority, women, and LGBTQ employees, cultivating flexibility for remote work and floating holidays, and providing paid family leave for both mothers and fathers, an almost unheard-of benefit within the industry. With the majority of employees being women and/or minorities, this diverse workforce allows us to bring a variety of perspectives and experiences to the design process and better serve the communities and clients we work with.
A.M.D.G.
We are certified as a minority-owned business and HUB throughout the State of Texas as well as a Disadvantageed Business Enterprise through the US Depeartment of Transportation.
As a firm led by a Vietnamese American, Project Luong is a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) by the City of Houston, City of Austin, South Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (SCTRCA), and North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (NCTRCA). The firm is also a certified Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) with the State of Texas. We are certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
A FIRM COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY WITH… 73% MINORITY EMPLOYEES 47% WOMEN EMPLOYEES …DIVERSE EXPERIENCES INFORMING OUR ARCHITECTURE
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Programming Process
PROGRAMMING/BUILDING ASSESSMENT Our work plan starts with listening – intently. As architects, our role isn’t to bring solutions to the table for you to choose from but to listen, gather, and analyze to unearth the natural solution to a design challenge. This process is even more critical when evaluating the viability of existing facilities to suit the client’s current and future operational needs. We will tour and document your identified facilities with your representatives and contractor partners to identify opportunities and weaknesses in all options. Programming is one of the most complicated parts of this process. We understand that the client doesn’t always know exactly what they want – if they did, they wouldn’t need an Architect. Programming is about asking the right questions to the right people to get the most information. First, we will work with each departmental lead identified in the client’s organizational chart to understand their current staff and space needs to establish a baseline of immediate needs. Next, we will work to prepare a staffing plan keyed to anticipated growth milestones. This growth plan and assigning of square footage will benchmark how the proposed facilities will be designed for “day one” services and future growth milestones for expansion.
Gotham City Government Center Gotham City Government Center
Gotham City Government Center Gotham City Government Center
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Programming Process
A.M.D.G.
SITE ANALYSIS/EVALUATION As we develop your program, we also simultaneously evaluate your current and proposed building sites for opportunities and weaknesses. During our tour of existing and proposed sites, we evaluate each for conditions such as easements, right-of-ways, setbacks, utilities, natural amenities, topography, and drainage. After establishing a gross building square footage that falls within the budget and meets the user’s current and future needs, we test this block of space on the current or desired site location(s). We incorporate major identified site requirements such as detention and parking ratios per ordinance for new sites, examining one-level and multi-level as-needed options. To test fit existing buildings on existing sites, we evaluate the program that accommodates future growth for compliance with parking ordinances and opportunities for adaptive reuse. Multiple site configurations are often studied to develop the pros and cons of each as it relates to budget, land usage efficiency, and future expandability.
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Experience
CIVIC DESIGN SPECIALISTS We know that architecture is about People and that a city’s essence is its residents. We help our clients develop public spaces that are memorable and unique to the municipality through thoughtful planning and consideration of the natural environment and surrounding architectural aesthetics. We guide our design process by first considering usability for all user groups, including ADA accessibility, security, and access control. We know that the use of public funds means we must also add the greatest possible value to a project through the use of flexible and multipurpose rooms for optimal functionality and fluctuating workloads, sustainable features that promote energy and cost efficiencies, and building materials that meet budget requirements but also instill confidence in public service. Our goal is to develop projects that are timely in delivery and timeless in design, as sustainable as feasible, fit for current needs, and, when necessary, for future expansion. By leveraging our extensive knowledge, clients can make early, informed design decisions without compromising user experience, accessibility, flexibility, or economy.
WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON: Providing unique solutions for the built environment that have a sense of place and are anchored to the cities and communities in which they exist and serve.
CUSTOMER SERVICE FOCUS TO CREATE LASTING RELATIONSHIPS 80% REPEAT CLIENT WORK 95% REFERRAL BASED WORK
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Experience
A.M.D.G.
CITY HALL, COURT & CIVIC CENTER City staff members are the primary touchpoints for bringing high-quality municipal services to residents. Architecture in support of governance is a concept that dates back to the beginning of organized civilization. Citizens want government buildings that reflect their values and reinforce the social contract between the government and citizens. Every city hall and civic center is distinctly unique. Our designs for these facilities consider how the everyday transactions of citizens and municipal servants take place in a way that promotes every resident’s safety, welfare, and quality of life. The variety of spaces a city hall and civic center contain, including courtrooms, judicial offices, court administration and support spaces, public meeting spaces, cafes, amenities, courtyards, and more, should reflect the culture and needs of surrounding communities. City halls, courts, and civic centers should also be safe locations within a municipality. These sites should deploy fundamental design principles regarding safe lighting, access, and security control in these buildings and their parking areas. Finally, open and transparent decision-making is imperative to gain citizen backing in any civic activity. We think it is vital to engage with the community to directly inform, and more importantly, provide a platform for feedback, to make these projects successful.
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Experience
ANIMAL SHELTERS & ANIMAL CONTROL From rescue to adoption, the primary purpose of an animal control facility is to provide a clean, healthy, and safe intermediate home for the animals. At Project Luong, we recognize the impact on the quality of life that a shelter design has on both the animals housed there and the caretakers who manage the facility. Our central focus in delivering a successful project starts with developing design concepts for each unique shelter that allow the caretakers to properly maintain a clean and healthy shelter. From sophisticated trench drain flushing systems to adequate hose bib locations, we understand the need for these facilities and the materials used within to withstand daily cleaning demands. To provide a comfortable workplace with good indoor air quality for both animals and caretakers, we collaborate with our engineers to develop properly zoned and ventilated HVAC systems. Finally, we understand that a shelter is also where caretakers need to perform administrative tasks and that strong acoustical treatment or separation is required between administrative and kennel areas. Some of our design staff have personally undergone the adoption process several times. We understand that the public’s engagement and perception of the adoption process is a significant component of the shelter’s success in ensuring a steady turnover rate for rescued animals. With adoption rates consistently falling behind animal rescue rates, we strive to incorporate future expansion of indoor and outdoor kennel and support spaces enabling each municipality to grow. With an extensive background in the municipal sector, we know how to actively engage all stakeholders, including the community and local and state officials, to ensure we meet all design, budget, and regulation objectives.
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Experience
A.M.D.G.
POLICE & PUBLIC SAFETY Flexibility in design is a must-have for modern, functional police and public safety facilities. Infrastructure requirements must be kept adaptable to design a building that will function for a halfcentury or more. We take great care in designing a police or public safety building to enable upgrades and changes in technology to allow both these departments to leverage technology changes in city services. Perception of the architecture is also key. Public safety buildings must be hard enough to protect those inside that ultimately protect others but soft enough that they are inviting to the public and serve as centers for community activity. With an extensive background in the public safety sector, we know how to actively engage all stakeholders, community, and local and state officials to ensure all design, budget, and regulation objectives for a municipality are met.
FIRE & EMERGENCY Response time is essential to fire and emergency services. Therefore, layouts in these facilities should allow access to apparatus bays and vehicles without passing through intermediary spaces so that dedicated firefighters and emergency services personnel can do their jobs quickly and efficiently. Design programs for living and working quarters typically include bunk rooms, restrooms/showers, day rooms, kitchen, storage, offices, gyms, training rooms, and apparatus bays. In addition to designing living and working quarters, we have worked on many dispatch centers and training facilities for municipal emergency and fire clients, including burn buildings and training towers.
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Experience
VISITOR CENTER Visitor centers celebrate and educate residents and visitors about the current and historical events, people, local businesses, attractions, and resources that shape a municipality. The overall aesthetic for a center should complement its surroundings and reflect the culture and history of a city or municipality. As a hub for learning, educating, and planning activities, a visitor center should actively engage visitors throughout the entire facility. These facilities often include reception areas, theaters, galleries and exhibits, souvenir shops, cafe/kitchen, office spaces, multipurpose/ conference rooms, and supporting restrooms and storage rooms. Municipalities can rent out portions of a visitor center’s public spaces to generate revenue. Important design considerations include accessibility and wayfinding for gathering and exhibition spaces, as well as flexibility to accommodate ever-changing technology and program needs. Security access can also be utilized to restrict access to staff workspaces.
RECREATION Health and wellness and maintaining an active lifestyle have also become more important to residents over the years. Creating these functional spaces can respond to a need for a healthy lifestyle and beneficial social engagement. At McLemore Luong, we recognize the impact that state-of-the-art amenities and community facilities can have on their users. To provide safe, accessible, and aesthetic fitness facilities, we know they require well-ventilated HVAC systems, respond to ADA standards for accessible design, and accommodate multipurpose functions. Spaces that host special events will also need to be sensitive to sound, lighting, and sightline factors. For any project, we know how to actively engage all stakeholders and members of the community to ensure all objectives are met.
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A.M.D.G.
Approach
A.M.D.G.
OUR APPROACH
ANYTHING BUT COOKIE CUTTER Instead of a cookie-cutter approach replicating previous projects, we provide true personalization bolstered by lessons learned and extensive boots-on-the-ground experience. Our team-like design approach involving all stakeholders has a track record of meeting all project goals. We will walk with you step-by-step to transform your project idea into reality.
QUALITY DESIGN
ON TIME & WITHIN BUDGET Project constraints should not restrict great design. We know the strict standards our clients demand in terms of quality, timeliness, and cost accuracy. Our versatile experience renders us uniquely capable of providing valuable insights and solutions to our client, design, and engineering partners to meet every project’s particular schedule, budget, and design needs.
OUR COMMITMENT
AS TRUE DESIGN PARTNERS Project Luong believes that architecture should be practiced with the accuracy, intention, and passion any licensed profession deserves. We’re focused on the relationships with the people we work for and our craft so that we can deliver an outstanding project experience and superb design product every time. Clients can expect high-quality design, customer service, and a commitment to deliver at every stage of the process, from programming to warranty.
NEVER ONE AND DONE: As your design partners, we will work with you to build a lasting professional relationship of confidence, trust, and exceptional performance.
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ALEC A. LUONG, AIA, NCARB, RID Principal c +1 713 582 0996 alec.luong@projectluong.com Houston | +1 346 708 8241 San Antonio | +1 726 245 1378 Santa Monica | +1 213 394 7230
municipal experience