Project Luong is a dedicated group of architects, planners, interior designers, and administrators who understand that delivering a world-class airport experience starts years before passengers check in. Airports are one of the most complex, dynamic, and impactful buildings constructed today. More than just transit hubs, they are economic engines where we work, shop, and travel.
The team at Project Luong has more than ten decades of combined design experience across a wide array of aviation projects, including master planning, airfield layouts, concept visualization, terminal planning and architecture, and federal agency interaction. Whether working for an airline, developer, concessionaire, operator, or municipal authority, our goal is always to deliver solutions tailored to the uniqueness of each airport. Whether a large hub or general aviation project, we work side-by-side with our clients, consultants, and contractors to implement collaborative solutions for the most complex design challenges.
We know that there are many architecture and design firm options 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 aviation facilities 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 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 high-performing design, including aviation-specific software Transoft Solutions AviPlan. We produce high-quality 3D renderings and visualizations that allow 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.
Our extensive and diverse experience outside and across the country informs our approach to the unique needs of aviation projects. From New York to Los Angeles, we’ve worked for airport authorities, municipal governments, private operators, airlines, private developers, and public-private partnerships. No matter the size, complexity, or geographical location of each unique aviation project, we are dedicated to finding creative solutions to the most complex problems that embody our clients’ brands and communities in which we work.
Sincerely,
Alec A. Luong, AIA, NCARB, RID Principal | Project
Luong Architects, LLC alec.luong@projectluong.com
o +1 346 708 8241
c +1 713 582 0996
Great People Doing More Spaces.
Relevant Team Experience
AUH ABU DHABI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi Airports Company Terminal Master Plan*
AUS AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Austin, Texas, USA
Delaware North Retail & Concessions Improvements*
Parking Garage & Administration Building*
BWI WASHINGTON THURGOOD MARSHALL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Baltimore, Maryland, USA
ONT ONTARIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Ontario, California, USA
Southwest Airlines Trailer Offices*
ORD O’HARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Chicago, Illinois, USA
United (Continental) Airlines Terminal 1 Concourse C Customer Service Center*
Chicago Department of Aviation Concourse B TSA Analysis*
PIT PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Allegheny County Airport Authority Satellite Terminal Renovation*
RBD COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE MUSEUM Nunavut, Canada
Master Plan Terminal Concept Design*
SJC NORMAN Y. MINETA SAN JOSE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT San Jose, California, USA
Fixed Base Operator (FBO) Airfield Master Planning Conceptual Pursuit*
SMF SACRAMENTO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Sacramento, California, USA
Southwest Airlines Ground Ops and Breakroom Expansion*
YFB TRANSPORT CANADA AUTHORITY IQALUIT AIRPORT Nunavut, Canada
Master Plan Terminal Concept Design*
* WORK COMPLETED WITH PREVIOUS EMPLOYER
Some images courtsey of Shutterstock and Adobe Stock
c +1 713 582 0996 alec.luong@projectluong.com
MY BIGGEST INFLUENCE: My immigrant parents fostered in me an appreciation for learning and people, as well as cultural sensitivity important in commercial architecture design. They taught me that reflecting and respecting customers’ and employees’ cultural backgrounds is crucial to success.
ALEC A. LUONG AIA, CM, RID
PRINCIPAL - MANAGING PARTNER
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
EDUCATION
Master of Architecture, Virginia Tech Bachelor of Architecture, Virginia Tech
CERTIFICATIONS
Registered ArchitectTexas #24095, Virginia #0401019744, Nebraska #A-5380, New York #044461, Colorado #ARC.00407489, Florida #AR102888, Iowa #8305, South Carolina #AR.11536, Louisiana #10074, Massachusetts #954131-AR-R, District of Columbia # ARC40000740, Registered Interior Designer - Texas #12198 NCARB #124984
AFFILIATIONS
American Institute of Architects Texas Board of Architectural Examiners
c +1 281 818 8652 yesika.soto@projectuong.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.
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.
YESIKA SOTO AIA, RID
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
Since graduating from the University of Houston with a Master of Architecture, my career has taken me across different projects in office buildings, warehouses, shopping centers, hotels, restaurants, and other commercial facilities. At Project Luong, our core belief is that architecture is about People, and commercial design is a distinct implementation of that point of view. My role is to collaborate with clients and consultants to design functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces that meet client-specific needs while adhering to local building codes and regulations. The goal is to create spaces that enhance productivity, inspire creativity, and promote customer engagement. Whether your project is a concession and retail renovation or a state-of-the-art office space, I am committed to meeting the schedule and budget requirements that are important for project buy-in and implementation.
Qualifications
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, most 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. I believe that every project is an opportunity to create a space that truly reflects the brand and values of the client. I start with a concept that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, and then work through iterations and adjustments until the design is perfect. I always encourage client input throughout the design process and keep an open mind to new ideas. Whether it’s a small boutique or a large corporate headquarters, my focus is on delivering a seamless customer service experience.
Qualifications
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Architecture, University of Houston
CERTIFICATIONS
Registered Architect - Texas #31161
AFFILIATIONS
American Institute of Architects
Texas Board of Architectural Examiners
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.
TERMINAL PLANNING & DESIGN
Delivering a world-class passenger experience takes more than just meeting and exceeding industry-defined metrics and standards. At Project Luong, we strive to bring our understanding of traveler needs and use it to inform design decisions for providing a safe, healthy, and memorable experience of space for the people who work, play, and travel through the terminal.
Our approach starts with the fundamental basics of terminal planning. We collaborate with all stakeholders to identify that juncture that reflects the unique identities of the Owner or airline. We work with concessionaires and operators to integrate the passenger experience into the overall design ‒ from art, branding, and wayfinding to technology integration and customer service touchpoints. We engage with federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration and Customs and Border Patrol, to deploy the next generation of security screening checkpoints and immigration and customs technology. We collaborate with baggage handling system experts to coordinate bag belting and screening, the backbone of all airports. We work with cutting-edge, dynamic simulation experts to test fit the design through milestone demand years to provide feedback on the design process and ultimately confirm that the final product meets the client’s expectations.
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.
AIRFIELD PLANNING & INTEGRATION
If the planes cannot park, nothing else matters. Our experience with airfield planning makes us unique among aviation architects. Using industry-leading software, Transoft Solutions AviPlan, and having an expert understanding of Federal Aviation Administration design requirements, we can help clients make prudent airfield decisions that support the overall program, aesthetic, and vision. We work with forecasters and airline fleet managers to establish a fleet mix, determine a gate matrix, and lay out aircraft parking using airline and airport standards. By utilizing the latest technologies and leveraging our extensive knowledge, clients can make early, informed design decisions without compromising passenger experience, fleet mix flexibility, or future expansion.
NON-AERONAUTICAL INVIGORATION
Non-aeronautical revenue is key to any airport’s financial success. It is also a key passenger touchpoint in the airport. COVID-19 has further changed the landscape by altering passenger preferences and spending habits faster than any other event in aviation history. Retail, food and beverage offerings, duty-free, and parking are no longer afterthoughts in aviation design but distinct elements that must be woven into the complete passenger experience.
We work closely with operators and concessionaires to create spaces that increase dwell time and use data-driven, personalized offerings to increase non-aero revenue. Just-in-time delivery is no longer relegated to industrial processes only. It is an integral part of increasing nonaero square footage within the terminal by storing goods off-site in a centralized receiving and distribution center. Parking garage structures are no longer out of sight and out of mind; they are feature-rich environments that are key touchpoints in the passenger experience - whether through parking or a complete ground transportation center.
Non-aero design and integration are critical to distinguish airports from one another. Project Luong and our partners and consultant teams can help create a seamless program and unified design.
CUSTOMER SERVICE FOCUSED:
As your design partners, we will work with you to build a lasting professional relationship based on confidence, trust, and exceptional performance.
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.
