PRP Now! Alexander Noaks // Lemmo Architecture and Design (LA-N-D)

PRP: Tell us about your PRP firm. Where are you working?
I’m working at Lemmo Architecture and Design (LA-N-D), here in Austin TX (on East 5th St, in the Holly Neighborhood). It’s a local firm that does a bit of everything, really – some residential, commercial, civic/cultural, public, etc. I met Ryan and Stephanie Lemmo as a student in their Spring 2020 comprehensive studio, and they were happy to have me join the firm for my PRP residency this Spring and Summer. There are five of us that make up the team, four of us are in-person and one remote. It was nice to easily get incorporated into the office workflow. 

PRP: What is currently on your desk? What are you working on?
This week the whole office has been working on a big design charette for a new residential project, so right now my desk is populated with lots of trace paper, sketches, and study models. It feels a little old school, but I’m also working on consolidating and transferring these concepts into CAD to prepare for the first client meeting next week. Also, Stephanie gave me a nice succulent, it’s chilling on my desk as well.  

PRP: Describe the firm culture?
The culture has that classic small firm vibe, the five of us are all engaged in all the projects for the most part, so we all wear the different “hats” in the office. I’ve worked on everything from early schematic design, detailing, visualization, model making, etc. I couldn’t be more grateful with their incredible flexibility in the wake of the pandemic, catering to whatever we’re all comfortable with. One of us is entirely remote and living in California, and the rest of us have the option to work wherever we choose to. The office layout itself certainly helps, it’s Ryan and Stephanie’s previous home that’s been fully converted, so we have plenty of space, as well as a sweet backyard (and yes, we all bring our dogs in to work from time to time!) 

PRP: What is the first thing you'll tell your classmates upon your return to UT?
If I weren’t about to graduate (!) I’d say that I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I felt very involved in everything I worked on, and I definitely felt that I added value to the office. You can’t ask for much more than that! 

PRP: As you’re finishing up the week, what are your plans for this weekend?
Well, I’ve still never been to the Wildflower Center, so I think it’s finally time for me to take a visit. And the second vaccine! There’s light at the end of the tunnel, y’all. My girlfriend also got her first law school acceptance, so I think a celebration is in order for that as well. 

PRP: Is there anything else that you would like to add?
I’d suggest that you should explore whatever interests you, set no limits on where you’d envision working. I knew that I wanted to stay in Austin but going to your dream city hundreds or thousands of miles away can be just as valuable. I’d prioritize the type of work and the type of firm that you’re most interested in. The possibilities are vast.