Project Luong is a firm committed to providing exceptional architectural design services for commercial projects, with a focus on our clients and the customer service we provide. As architects, designers, principals, and project managers, we understand that each workplace facility has unique requirements, influenced by factors such as its location, history, and brand identity. We recognize that the best facilities are created through collaboration between the architect and the end users.
At Project Luong, we begin each workplace project by getting to know our clients and their organizations. We aim to understand their operations, procedures, and what sets their business apart from competitors. Our role is to listen and learn before we start with 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.
> 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 office 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 principals and staff to your project from start to finish. Our principal leadership, having 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 workplace 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.
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
Designing work space is not a simple matter of arranging cubicles and desks. It is an art of creating spaces that reflect the values, cultures, and identities of organizations and their people. When approaching office design, the functional needs of clients are considered, as well as the emotional and psychological needs of the individuals who work there. Every detail, from the colors on the walls to the lighting and materials, is carefully chosen to create a coherent and effective environment that inspires and energizes.
Great People Doing More Spaces.
COMMERCIAL OFFICE + OTHER WORKPLACE
INTERRA VARIOUS TEST FITS - INTERRA CAPITAL GROUP Houston, Texas
HOUSTON ZOO HEADQUARTERS - OFFICE AND GARAGE Houston, Texas*
UH NATURAL SCIENCE AND MATHMATICS DONOR OFFICES Houston, Texas*
UH CENTER OF TECTONICS AND TOMOGRAPHY RESEARCH OFFICES & VIDEO CONFERENCE ROOM Houston, Texas*
*WORK COMPLETED WITH PREVIOUS FIRM
MEDICAL OFFICE + HEALTHCARE
TMC AUDITORIUM RENOVATION - TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER Houston, Texas
TMC CLEAN ROOM SUITE 39G - TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER Houston, Texas
TMC HAMILTON HEALTH BOX INTERIOR BUILD-OUT - TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER Houston, Texas
TMC LEVEL 6 OFFICE RENOVATIONS - TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER Houston, Texas
TMC MELAX TECH INTERIOR BUILD-OUT - TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER Houston, Texas
TMC MERCURY DATA SCIENCE INTERIOR BUILD-OUT - TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER Houston, Texas
TMC PROXIMA INTERIOR BUILD-OUT - TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER Houston, Texas
TMC RESTROOM RENOVATIONS - TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER Houston, Texas
TMC WELLNESS ROOMS - TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER Houston, Texas
c +1 713 582 0996 alec.luong@projectluong.com
ALEC A. LUONG AIA, NCARB, RID
“As a Principal and Managing Partner of Project Luong, my passion lies in commercial architectural design. I bring years of experience and expertise to the table, with a focus on designing spaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and economically sound. I have worked on a wide variety of commercial projects, including offices, retail spaces, and mixed-use developments. My critical eye for problem-solving and accuracy and creativity helps me to ultimately reach a concept that reflects the client, context, and functionality of the commercial space. I am committed to exceeding client expectations and ensuring overall project success by respecting budget and schedule criteria. I strive to create a partnership dynamic with our clients that is informed by an understanding of commercial needs and a common cause to provide spaces that meet their goals and objectives.”
Qualifications
FIRM TITLE
Principal - Managing Partner EDUCATION
Master of Architecture, Virginia Tech
Bachelor of Architecture, Virginia Tech
LICENSES/ CERTIFICATIONS
Registered Architect - Texas #24095, Colorado #ARC.00407489, Florida #AR102888, Iowa #8305, Louisiana #10074, Massachusetts #954131-AR-R, Nebraska #A-5380, New York #044461, South Carolina #AR.11536, Virginia #0401019744, Registered Interior Designer - Texas #12198
c +1 505 804 0210 natasha.dunn@projectuong.com
NATASHA DUNN AIA, NCARB, RID
“At Project Luong, our core belief is that architecture is about People. As a Principal with Project Luong, it is my intention to foster the strengths, establish mutual interests and support agreed upon values with our Clients. As a leader, I provide project strategy, design and supportive leadership of all phases from conceptual design to construction management. I endeavor for buildings to stand as a testament to a thorough understanding of their purpose, achieved through collective expertise and an unwavering commitment to addressing client concerns with sensitivity to both their vision and the environment. My project experience includes new construction and renovation; retail, daycare, K-12, higher education, multifamily housing, recreation and civic / community work.”
Master of Architecture, Washington University in St. Louis Bachelor of Architecture, University of New Mexico
c +1 281 630 3419
stephen.ruiz@projectuong.com
STEPHEN M. RUIZ AIA
“With over 10 years of experience in design, I have worked on projects across various sectors, including commercial, aviation, municipal, multifamily, recreation, cultural/religious, and education. As a project architect, I am responsible for ensuring compliance with best practices in construction assemblies, health and safety standards, and Owner requirements. I provide technical oversight and prioritize deliverables for each project phase, from schematic design drawings to construction administration punch walks. My expertise in technical production, QA/ QC, and client service makes me a valuable team member for any project.”
Qualifications
FIRM TITLE
Senior Associate
LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS
Registered Architect - Texas #31161 EDUCATION
Bachelor of Architecture, University of Houston
c +1 346 708 8241 craig.uptmor@projectuong.com
CRAIG UPTMOR
“I have over 27 years of experience in design and have worked on projects in the public, aviation, corporate, multifamily, recreation, cultural/religious, and education sectors. As a designer and project manager, I am responsible for managing individual projects and consultants through all phases of coordination. As a project manager, I establish goals and timelines and schedule coordination meetings and site visits to ensure timely project completion. From schematic design drawings to construction administration punch walks, I believe that my technical production and modeling skills and client service expertise will be valuable for the success of your project.”
Qualifications
FIRM TITLE
Senior Associate EDUCATION
Texas A&M University, Bachelor of Environmental Design
Project Luong workplace designs prioritize the well-being and productivity of the people who work in them. Professionals can spend long hours in these spaces, and a well-designed environment can contribute to their comfort and effectiveness. We balance the need for functionality with the need for a comfortable and efficient workspace. Proper lighting, acoustics, layout, and the use of materials are important considerations in achieving this balance. A well-designed office space can enhance job satisfaction, reduce stress, and promote productivity.
GREAT PEOPLE DOING MORE
Project Luong is a growing firm of landscape architects, 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.
RELIABLE MWBE PARTNER
Project Luong is a small firm offering architecture, graphic design, landscape architecture, interior design, and planning services with an outstanding 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.
As a firm led by a Vietnamese American and a woman, 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
50% WOMEN EMPLOYEES
…DIVERSE EXPERIENCES INFORMING OUR DESIGN
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.
The design of an office can significantly impact employee productivity, creativity, and morale. Using the right combination of colors, textures, and lighting can transform a mundane workspace into a welcoming and inspiring one.
PROJECT SKETCHES
PROJECT SKETCHES TO RENDERING
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.
PROJECT LUONG OFFICE INTERIOR RENOVATION
HOUSTON, TEXAS
The PLA Office
The interior renovation project for the new Project Luong office in Houston, Texas, aims to create a space that beautifully embodies the firm’s aesthetic and fosters a culture of collaboration and inclusivity. Spanning across 5,000 square feet, the design concept revolves around an open-plan layout, eliminating private offices and instead providing ample areas for laying out drawings and encouraging teamwork. The office renovation will serve as a dynamic hub where ideas flow freely, discussions thrive, and our team’s collective creativity is nurtured. The project showcases Project Luong’s commitment to a modern, collaborative work environment that reflects our values and enhances productivity.
Client: Project Luong Architects, LLC
Budget: $525,000
Size: 5,000 SF
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.
TMC INNOVATION SPACES
HOUSTON, TEXAS
The Creative Suite
Even the smallest of projects take time to complete. This year we delivered our first completed projects – a Creative Office Suite for a biotech start up, and a series of Wellness Rooms to be used for nursing mothers or meditation space. Both of these projects are part of TMC Innovation, an initiative which allows the Texas Medical Center to help form, fund, and promote healthcare companies from around the world that are changing the future of healthcare. Project Luong could not be more excited to be a part of that. Having the opportunity to work with fellow startup companies as well as design spaces that promote women in the work place and mental wellbeing, are exactly the kind of projects that we love to do.
Client: Texas
TMC MELAX
HOUSTON, TEXAS
Client: Texas Medical Center Budget: $310,000 Size: 1,920 SF
The Biotech Hub
This project is another Creative Office Suite for a biotech start up housed within the TMC Innovation Factory Campus. This campus was created as a hub for life science and research innovation. For this project, Project Luong took advantage of the natural lighting coming through the original, factory skylights by leaving most of the ceilings exposed. Next, we added pops of functional art such as contrasting backsplash tiles, custom acoustical panels, and bright accent walls to complement the company’s branding along with the tenant’s aesthetic without overpowering the simple elegance of the space.
DBR OFFICE REFRESH
HOUSTON, TEXAS
The Central Hub
The newly renovated DBR office space features an open, communal setting, acting as a central social hub for the entire office. The open concept facilitates interaction and fosters team collaboration and mingling. The new adjacent huddle room with glass storefronts provides a breakout space for group activities while letting natural light fill the space.
At the heart of the workspace, the game room/breakroom provides an array of gathering spaces to support communal interaction. The space incorporates vivid accents of reds to emphasize the corporate identity of DBR Engineering. The modern theme provides a welcoming environment that includes a variety of seating and game tables. Additionally, the integration of two large islands offers ample counter space to ensure the breakroom is ideal for a large gathering, a midafternoon break, or an after-hour drink.
Client: DBR Engineering Consultants, Inc.
Budget: $250,000
Size: 1,008 SF
TMC AUDITORIUM
HOUSTON, TEXAS
The Auditorium
The TMC Auditorium was transformed from an abandoned space with leaks and mold issues into a versatile venue that the entire facility can utilize. The renovation included the addition of a catering room, enhancing its suitability for various types of speakers and presentations. Located off the main second-floor corridor near a central stairway, the auditorium is easily accessible and features unique sawtooth lights with an open ceiling for natural light. Acoustic ceiling clouds and accent wood walls were used to improve sound dampening. The space now accommodates a modern design that is both functional and elegant.
Client: Texas Medical Center
Budget: $600,000
Size: 2,365 SF
The renovation faced several challenges. The absence of a ceiling required mounting acoustical clouds to mitigate sound issues in the concrete building with an exposed structure ceiling. The auditorium's slight incline necessitated an ADA-accessible front entrance and new rear stairs designed to meet current codes, replacing the steep, inconsistent stairs of the previous design. Additionally, the skylight posed difficulties for projection, leading to the decision to install a large television to ensure clear presentations even on bright, cloudless days.
TMC INNOVATION FACTORY - HAMILTON HEALTH BOX
HOUSTON, TEXAS
The Healthcare Innovator
Hamilton Health Box is an innovative leader in healthcare that relocated to the state-of-the-art TMC Innovation Factory. The healthcare provider combines the latest advancements in medical technology, comprehensive wellness programs, and personalized care all conveniently housed under one roof. Design elements of this 5,600 SF tenant improvement project include open workspaces and lounge suites, polished concrete floors, nonporous/antibacterial surfaces to maintain healthy spaces, welcoming reception desk, phone booth for private calls, and conference room.
Client: Texas Medical Center
Budget: $670,000
Size: 5,600 SF
NEBRASKA SALT & GRAIN OFFICE & TRUCK WAREHOUSE
CLEBURNE, TEXAS
The Warehouse
This project is a design-build office/truck warehouse pre-engineered metal building. The contractor is Christensen Building Group, and the owner is Nebraska Salt & Grain. The 8,200-square-foot building is just one component of a 25-acre rail transload facility in Cleburne, Texas. The function of the building is to serve as office and warehouse space for daily transload operations. The program for the building includes the following: Office Space, Large Breakroom, Conference Room, Lab, Restrooms, Storage, and Large Warehouse space. Being a design-build project, the Contractor is contracted separately with a civil engineer, and the builder’s subcontractors are delegating all MEP and structural engineering design.
Our role as the Architect was to design the facility and internal space plan, coordinate with the Contractor’s delegated design subs, facilitate the permitting process, and ensure the intent of the contract documents was met during the construction process. To fast track this project, we coordinated an early site permit package with the City of Cleburne to allow the Contractor to begin work prior to issuing the building permit.
Because of our great working relationship with Nebraska Salt and Grain, we are also designing a similar project in the State of Nebraska. We believe our dedication to exceptional customer service is a significant reason for repeat client success.
Client: Nebraska Salt & Grain
Budget: $1.2 million Size: 5,600 SF
HERITAGE LANDSCAPE OFFICE HEADQUARTERS
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
The Command Post
Heritage Landscapes is one of the fastest-growing commercial landscape companies in the state of Texas. With multiple offices in the San Antonio area, Heritage needed to consolidate into one headquarters location. Additionally, the client desired an aesthetically pleasing building that accommodates their current and future needs while incorporating efficient budget-conscious building systems.
After conducting a needs assessment and programming exercise, the team determined that Heritage needed an approximately 4,900-square-foot building. The program for the building includes the following: Lobby, Office Space, Irrigation Bullpen, Sales Reps Bullpen, Maintenance Bullpen, Breakroom, Large Conference Room, Restrooms, Storage, and space for future growth.
The site for the Headquarters Building is located on 3 acres in Comal County. About 75% of the site exists within a floodway. The design team took special care to ensure the building and parking were placed cost-effectively outside the floodway. Due to site constraints and economic planning, the design reduced the building footprint and utilized a secondlevel mezzanine to maximize the usable square footage.
To provide a cost-efficient building, we utilized a pre-engineered metal building system for the shell and designed the interior build-out as an independent wood-frame structure. In addition, the Contractor, Foster Construction Services, was brought in during the schematic design phase of this project to serve in an advisory role to the owner and provide an early detailed cost estimation.
Client: Heritage Landscapes
Budget: $2 million
Size: 4,900 SF
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.
