Archives: People

Austin has always loved to be creative. Growing up, his parents loved fixing up their home, so from an early age, he found himself installing floors and doors and choosing paint colors. Before he knew it, he was in love with architecture and design.

He pursued his bachelor’s and master’s in Architecture at the University of Louisiana. In school, he traveled to cities like Chicago, New York, Boston, and Atlanta. His time traveling to new cities with his studio class and learning about architecture at Fletcher Hall fostered his ambition and appreciation for design. He gained a position at Holly & Smith Architects after graduation and finds himself growing a deeper understanding of architecture and the built environment.

In his free time, Austin loves to walk around and explore New Orleans. He also enjoys traveling, spending time with friends, and catching the latest movies in theaters. He also loves traveling back to Lafayette to visit family.

Growing up around her grandfather’s woodworking shop, Phoebe became interested in design and the built environment from a young age. During her junior year of high school, she had a project where she had to research an architect for an art class. She then learned the basics of drafting and immediately knew she wanted to pursue architecture.

Phoebe went on to earn a Bachelor of Architectural Studies followed by a Master of Architecture from The University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Throughout her time at UL, Phoebe was a Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant. She helped teach first-year design studios and assisted with creating presentations for a new lecture series. She was also involved in the Design-Build Class’ House of Cards project, where students poured a cast-in-place concrete artist retreat cabin in Arnaudville, LA. During Grad School, she interned at H/S.

In her free time, Phoebe enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.

Mandi has always sought a creative outlet through various media, but her passion for architecture began during a high school woodshop class, where her artistic skills converged with the built environment.

Mandi has experience utilizing her digital modeling skills in Revit and contributing to construction document development. Additionally, she has practical experience overseeing efficient delivery and inventory management for construction projects. Her skill set encompasses rendering, diagramming, sketching, space planning, 3D modeling, and physical modeling.

Mandi graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a Bachelor in Architectural Studies in 2022 and a Master of Architecture in 2023. While at UL Lafayette, Mandi earned recognition for her achievements, including notable awards in architectural design competitions. After graduation, she joined Holly & Smith Architects.

Outside of the office, Mandi enjoys painting and maintains an active lifestyle, engaging in activities such as swimming, running, and weightlifting.

Growing up, Avery has always loved to imagine and draw. Relocating from Paynesville, MN, to pursue her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in architecture at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Avery consistently sought to broaden her knowledge and embrace innovation in her projects. Notably, she contributed to the Design Build class’s House of Cards project, an artist retreat cabin in Arnaudville made of concrete.

She gained a position at Holly and Smith Architects after graduation, where her appreciation for architecture and the design process continues to grow.

Avery likes to spend her free time at home with her two dogs, Kai and Lotti. She also enjoys playing cards, reading, and the occasional video game. She loves to travel to Minnesota to visit her parents and to Denver, Colorado, to visit friends and family.

Danielle has over 30 years of administrative experience, having held various roles across different industries, including Administrative Assistant/Finance, Research Assistant, HR, and Front Office Manager. Her ability to support staff and maintain effective communication has proven valuable in her career.

Beyond her professional life, Danielle is a dedicated people person who finds joy in connecting with others and bringing laughter to their lives. When she’s not at work, she enjoys quality time with her family, friends, and fiancé, Paul.

Growing up around construction and engineering, Laura knew from a young age that she wanted to play a part in designing the world around us. She chose architecture as her lifelong passion and never looked back. After obtaining her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Tulane School of Architecture in 2023, she’s eager to put her academic knowledge to the test.

Throughout her academic journey, she honed her design skills on projects of various scales, with a focus on graphical representation and design exploration. Collaborative projects provided valuable experiences in teamwork, effective communication with peers and professors, and an appreciation for the intricate problem-solving aspects of architecture, as she enjoyed thinking about the details and possibilities of every project. As she embarks on her professional journey, Laura is determined to continue her growth, embracing new challenges and seizing opportunities to contribute her skills to projects at H/S.

Beyond her professional life, Laura enjoys spending time with friends in local parks and exploring new dining experiences. She’s an advocate for an active lifestyle, frequently engaging in sports like tennis and basketball with friends. On weekends, you can find her sharing her passion for fitness by teaching a workout class at her alma mater’s recreation center.

Amber Wascomb embodies a passion for interior design, channeling her creativity into creating captivating spaces that resonate deeply. Growing up in a family where her father was involved in construction and built her family home, her early exposure to architecture and design fueled her passion for the field.

In 2023, Amber graduated with an interior design degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. Armed with the knowledge and skills gained during her studies and internship, she is now ready to embark on an exciting journey in the world of design with Holly & Smith Architects.
For Amber, the ultimate satisfaction lies in making her client’s dreams come true. With a strong emphasis on creating functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces, she approaches each project with enthusiasm and dedication. Witnessing the joy on clients’ faces when they see the transformation of their spaces is what fuels her passion to continually improve as a designer.

Outside of her professional life, you can find her playing pickleball or tennis, hanging out with loved ones, eating at new restaurants, and playing with her dog, Williamson.

Shawn Préau joined Holly and Smith in 2023, bringing with him 27 years of professional experience in the field of architecture. Throughout his career, he has worked with architecture firms in Texas and Louisiana, gaining valuable expertise and contributing to a wide range of projects across the United States. His project portfolio encompasses diverse building types, including schools, museums, convention centers, and performing arts spaces.

With a background that spans complex projects like high rises, historic renovations, and Net-Zero buildings, Shawn recognizes that attention to craft and collaboration are the keys to a successful project.

Shawn has always understood architecture as an expression of hope achieved through a combination of technical excellence and artistic expression. He applies this understanding throughout the design process in a practical approach looking to leverage collaboration of the full project team to make the most of every opportunity. Often the outcome exceeds clients’ expectations and vision. This process has allowed him to build deep relationships with both clients and consultants alike.

Outside of his professional life, Shawn resides in New Orleans with his wife and three children. He actively participates in his community by volunteering with Lycée Francais and serving on the board of Success at Thurgood Marshal. He is also a graduate of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute (NORLI) and enjoys engaging in outdoor activities during his leisure time.

Since the 6th grade, he has been part of the talented arts program in school, demonstrating a particular interest in pencil drawing, often sketching buildings and cars. As he entered high school, he began assisting his Stepfather with contracting work, flipping houses and taking on small remodeling projects.

It wasn’t until his senior year, during a drafting class, that he realized the potential of a career in architecture and decided to pursue architecture at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The idea of shaping spaces and structures fascinated him. With a keen appreciation for mathematics, especially geometry, he found it instrumental in his architectural process. His approach often involved developing grids as a starting point, employing geometric concepts and principles to establish connections between his drawings and site analysis. This approach informed his thesis project, where he conceptualized a pavilion in downtown Lafayette that responded to varying sun conditions, casting purposeful shadows throughout the year.

In 2020, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture. Eager to gain practical experience, he took a year off from school and worked as a laborer with a Landscape Architect, gaining invaluable hands-on experience in design and construction. Subsequently, he returned to UL Lafayette, pursuing his Masters in Architecture and graduating in 2023. Immediately after receiving his degree, he packed his belongings and returned home to begin an exciting new chapter at Holly & Smith Architects the very next week.

An avid soccer player, he pursued competitive soccer in high school and achieved a significant milestone in 2016, winning the State Cup with his local club, STYSA. Throughout his college years, he discovered another passion: refereeing soccer games. This activity provided a remarkable opportunity to stay connected to his love for the sport. Even now, he continues to dedicate his weekends to this rewarding pursuit.

As a recent graduate from Louisiana Tech University with a Master of Architecture, Garrett is a young and driven Emerging Professional eager to apply his newly acquired knowledge and skills to real-world projects. Through his academic achievements, Garrett has demonstrated exceptional design abilities and a deep understanding of architectural principles and techniques.

During his studies, Garrett had the opportunity to participate in various design competitions and collaborative projects, honing his skills in conceptualization, space planning, and 3D modeling. He also developed strong communication and collaboration skills, working closely with fellow students and faculty members to achieve project goals and deadlines. With a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a willingness to take on new challenges, Garrett is poised to cultivate his skills with H/S and work on projects in his home state.

Outside of the office, Garrett enjoys time at local disc golf and golf courses after work and making weekend trips to explore parks and towns around the region. A long-time fan, you may see Garrett at Saints games on Sundays and any other event he can get tickets for.

Growing up in a cabinet shop in Lafayette, Ian developed a deep appreciation for the art of craftsmanship and design, which he further honed by visiting various job sites. This passion eventually led him to pursue a degree in the School of Architecture and Design at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he earned both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree. In 2015, he entered the professional architecture world, initially practicing in the commercial sector before transitioning to high-end residential design. During this time, Ian immersed himself in the study of classical architecture and proportioning, exploring various styles and techniques.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Ian is a devoted participant in southern culture and landscape and revels in outdoor activities. From camping, kayaking, and overlanding to Cajun jams, homesteading, and fishing, Ian is constantly seeking out new adventures and experiences.

Richard has a diverse background as a licensed architect and landscape architect. With over 40 years of experience, he has worked on a variety of building types on a variety of scales. His experience includes projects throughout the United States, as well as France, England, and Australia.

With extensive management experience, Richard has led teams on multi-million-dollar projects from conception through construction completion. His first and smallest project was a chicken house for a historic plantation in Northeast Louisiana.

His interest peaks at the intersection of the built and natural environment. Richard believes that a symbolic relationship can exist between the built environment and the natural landscape through the employment of green infrastructure and nature-based solutions that enhance biodiversity and produce efficient, sustainable, resilient designs.

Richard enjoys watching NCAA and NFL sports, particularly LSU, the Saints, and the Cincinnati Bengals, respectively. As an avid reader, he prefers books on philosophy, history, architecture, and science. J B Jackson is one of his favorite authors for easy reading. As an avid video fan, Richard tends to watch those that focus on history or science fiction. For him, science fiction also tops all other topics in books and videos. Richard is married and has two sons, of whom he is immensely proud.

After earning his Master of Architecture from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Nic started his career in the high-end residential sector. His first job in the architectural field allowed him to grow into a role as a project manager while enjoying the experience of designing heirloom-quality spaces for people to call home. Starting in 2015, he continued his passion for residential design while expanding his design resume into the commercial and biomedical realm under private practice.

At H/S, Nic utilizes his 20+ years of experience in management, design, and planning to fill his role as Director of Holly & Smith Architects’ Lafayette Studio.

When not practicing architecture, Nic enjoys spending time with his family and taking advantage of the unique South Louisiana landscape, climate, and culture. Paddling, hiking, gardening, cooking, and amateur beekeeping fill his time away from work.

Bill originally hails from Denver, Colorado, where he earned his Bachelor of Environmental Design from CU-Boulder. He subsequently practiced his chosen profession for a few small design firms in Colorado before relocating to the DC metro area in 2001, where he worked on large civic and mixed-use projects in the region. Bill acquired his Master of Architecture from Virginia Tech through the Washington Alexandria Architecture Consortium. He then relocated to New Orleans in 2009 with his future wife, where both are practicing architects.

A long-standing interest in sustainable design continues to inspire and drive Bill to make every project better for its users and the environment. As a design and detail-oriented licensed architect with over 20 years of experience in environmentally sustainable design, Bill has worked across a broad range of project types and scales throughout the United States. From institutional, adaptive reuse, mixed-use, civic, multi-family, and private residence, he applies creative and integrated design thinking to develop holistic and forward-thinking design solutions for complex projects in need of a high level of design and the technical capabilities to meet and exceed client and owner goals and project objectives.

W. Geoff Gjertson, AIA, is the H/S Lafayette Studio Director and Professor of Architecture at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He is originally from Huntsville, Alabama, and has lived in the Marshal Islands, Colorado, California, Arizona, Texas, and Louisiana.

Gjertson attended Arizona State University (undergrad) and Rice University (graduate). He has been in practice for over 30 years and a professor for more than twenty years. He is the director of the Building Institute, a “hands-on” design/build program that serves the community by building market-rate, sustainably-designed homes, as well as other community projects in urban neighborhoods. Prof. Gjertson’s research has focused on the integration of the professional and academic worlds through educational design/build and community service. He has published over twenty papers and articles in peer-reviewed journals on architectural pedagogy, design, and history, written a book (GENERATING HOPE) on the BeauSoleil Louisiana Solar Home, a chapter in Thinking While Doing: Explorations in Educational Design/Build, and won over a dozen design awards for his professional practice work. His design expertise includes sustainable design, resiliency, material science, residential, educational, and institutional work.

Geoff has been married to Germaine for over 30 years and has two daughters, Alexandra and Elise. He enjoys woodworking and touring the countryside in his 1990 Mazda Miata.

When Bailey was young, he was always combining random objects with whatever he could find to make new things. Along with that, I also played with Legos and drew quite a bit. Crafting has always been important to him, though he didn’t realize he was truly interested in architecture until he made it to college.

At UL, he realized he had a passion for designing the public space within his projects and understanding how the building deals with the natural and urban landscape. While unorthodox for architecture school, he took an interest in ensuring that all his projects had planned out landscaping to enhance the spaces he was creating. Through school, he realized architecture could impact many people’s lives, and overall good design was important in creating meaningful impact. While in graduate school, he worked on the House of Cards project for the design-build class. The project is an artist retreat cabin in Arnaudville constructed of concrete.

Bailey graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a Bachelor of Science in 2020 and a Master of Architecture in 2021. After graduation, he joined Holly & Smith Architects.

His spare time consists of listening to music, learning about random historical events, growing plants, and watching movies.

John has over 40 years of experience working in architecture and has gained extensive experience across numerous fields, including residential, commercial, educational, food service, hospitality, and light industrial design. He is versed in performing individually to self-generate smaller projects and leading teams to produce multi-million-dollar developments in locations across the U.S. John can shepherd projects from initial meetings with clients through design, consultant coordination, construction documents, bidding, permitting, commissioning, construction administration, and closeout. He works to ensure prompt, effective communication between all parties during all phases. John displays a focus on balance between the client’s needs/desires/budget/timeframe and the firm’s responsibility to the client, contractor, project, and staff.

As a child, David was always either running around the mill of a cabinet shop watching others craft furniture or enjoying the art of knife making with his grandfather. The idea that something drawn could turn into something real was always astounding. Before starting college, David worked in construction, where he would find the field of architecture and the passion it could become.

While attending the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, he earned both his Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degrees. Through this education, he began to realize just how important and powerful good design really is.

While at UL, he received the opportunity to design and build a project with the goal of helping someone in need. This project was named the Modestehouse, a small-scale, portable space that, through its multi-faceted design, would best benefit the owner, who lost their home to the floods of 2016.

After completing his education, he continued to work full-time with an architect in Lafayette, whom he interned with throughout his years at UL. This experience has led him to the present, at Holly & Smith Architects, where he is excited to be working on a multitude of great designs.

In his personal time, David enjoys hobbies including woodworking, tinkering with anything technology, and looking to his next hiking adventure.

Catie received a Bachelors of Interior Design from Louisiana State University along with a minor in Art History. She is an allied member of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and has earned her LEED Green Associates certification. Her passion for interior design developed at an early age while traveling through Europe on a family vacation. She found herself inspired by all the beautiful art and architecture from her trip. After graduating from LSU in 2015, she relocated to San Antonio to work for a commercial design firm. Her work experience includes projects that span from K-12 schools, higher education, workplace, corporate, and mixed-use. She has recently moved back to Louisiana and is ecstatic to be back working in her home state.

Catie is known for thinking outside the box and her exquisite attention to detail. Her goal is to innovate, inspire, and improve people’s lives through design through every partnership and project.

When she is not in the studio, you can find her scoping out new hotels/restaurants around town, spending time with her friends and family, exploring the outdoors, or helping friends with their own design projects.

Brooke has always had a passion for design and architecture. It was not until she attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette that she realized she wanted to become an architect. Brooke graduated with a Master of Architecture in May 2020. Shortly after graduation, she joined Holly & Smith as an emerging professional. Brooke continues expanding her knowledge of design every day both in and outside of the office. 

Brooke believes architectural design should be a place that is experiential, functional, while also being beautiful. She believes architecture should be built to enhance and positively impact the lives of others. In her spare time, Brooke enjoys spending quality time with her family and her puppy Jax. Her hobbies include watching movies, spending time outdoors, playing board games, and doing DIY crafts at home.

In his work as an architect, Brendan combines his natural aptitude for drawing and creative pursuits with his desire to positively impact his community. A graduate of Louisiana State University, Brendan brings 10 years of experience in projects ranging from complex, large-scale urban developments and culturally sensitive historic renovations to deeply personal single-family residences.

With deep roots in south Louisiana, Brendan grew up with an appreciation for the unique culture and history of his home state and the Gulf region, especially when it comes to the built environment. He is interested in how we learn from the past, adapting the architecture to fit modern needs while still retaining a unique sense of place. At H/S, Brendan spearheads projects in a design-focused role. He thrives on sketching and getting creative at the beginning of the design process but finds it most rewarding to see a project come to life that exceeds the owner’s expectations.

Away from the office, Brendan is most passionate about spending quality time raising his three kids with his wife, Breanna. He is happiest boating, fishing, and spending time outdoors enjoying the many bayous, waterways, natural environments, festivals, and cultural events that Louisiana has to offer.

As a child growing up in Morgan City, Jack’s primary interests included building with Legos and taking things apart to find out how they worked—always with the idea of improving or re-purposing.

In middle school, he was introduced to board drafting and quickly became fascinated. After high school, Jack enlisted in the Louisiana National Guard and attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana majoring in Architecture. His schooling was interrupted after being activated for Operation Desert Storm and upon his return, Jack focused his studies on board drafting. His career quickly transitioned to AutoCAD and he began to explore 3D modeling and rendering. In 2007, he followed industry trends and specialized in Revit Architecture, becoming professionally certified in 2014. Today, he continues to broaden his knowledge of construction, 3D modeling, Revit family creation, BIM management, and architectural visualization.

Jack joined Holly & Smith Architects in 2019 with over 25 years of experience in producing contract documents and renderings. His varying professional background includes commercial projects in education, healthcare and retail, as well as residential. Through his professional career, Jack is still satisfying those same childhood ideals of improving and re-purposing.

Jack is married with four children and is an unwavering cat person. In his spare time, he enjoys reading sci-fy/fantasy novels and endeavors to keep the cats away from his koi-pond.

As a kid, Colby was always interested in construction. Being able to put together multiple materials to achieve something magnificent was eye opening for him. And in eighth grade, he was introduced to the idea of architecture and design.

Colby attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he really connected with what architecture could mean and all the possibilities it carries, not just creatively, but instinctively. While at ULL, he developed an interest in drafting, modeling, and welding. When ULL partnered with Habitat for Humanity, Colby worked on a team to construct the 1020house, a tiny home that was designed and built by design students to continue to help revitalize the northside of Lafayette.

After graduating in Spring 2019 with a Bachelors of Science, Colby joined Holly & Smith Architects where he is cultivating his drafting and modeling skills through various commercial and residential projects.

In his spare time, he enjoys reading crime-fiction novels and is a movie fanatic. He also enjoys traveling, fitness, and spending time with longtime friends.

As the Marketing Manager, Jennifer is responsible for creating and maintaining the firm’s marketing and promotional content, developing client presentations, coordinating media distribution, and managing the firm’s website content and social media presence, among other duties.

Always inspired by the world around us, and many great artists, art and design have been part of her life for as long as she can remember. Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Communication from the University of Southern Mississippi. While at USM, she attended a summer study abroad program where she participated in various art and design studies at universities, design studios, and museums in Rome, Florence, Milan, Cortona, and Venice.

Jennifer joined H/S in 2017 and has 13 years of marketing experience, with a focus on professional services. She is a Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM) and a member of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS), where she serves on the Programming Committee.

While outside of the office, she enjoys reading, crafting, playing soccer, attending her children’s extracurricular activities, and spending all the quality time she can with her husband and two young daughters.

Michael Scherer’s interest in architecture sprung early on from his childhood visits to buildings that were both engaging and beautiful as opposed to the ubiquitous and un-engaging counterparts that he found among the commonplace buildings he often encountered.

While in high school, Michael got a job working as a draftsman at an architecture firm. Upon graduating, Michael attended Auburn University in Alabama, where he received his Bachelor of Architecture. During his time at Auburn, Michael had the opportunity to join Rural Studio. His experience with Rural Studio taught him that great design does not necessarily equal great costs. He also learned that working with a team is the only way to get the job done.

Michael joined Holly & Smith Architects in 2005. While working from internship through the path to licensure, Michael received experience in just about everything he could get his hands on, which allowed him to craft his existing skills and learn many new ones. Michael says that everyone’s diverse skill set reinforces his continual learning process and makes for a well-rounded team throughout the design and construction process. As he sees it, his experience at the firm has been highly rewarding. Michael believes that working through the given set of constraints that always arise during construction to ultimately realize the building brings him the most joy in his work.

Outside the office, Michael enjoys being outdoors, especially while travelling and practicing photography.

Wil Finley believes architecture is in a unique and powerful position to affect our daily lives. This belief leads to a collaborative design process which helps insure all spaces are uniquely tailored to the client’s specific wants and needs. Only by truly understanding and appreciating the importance of everyone’s lived experiences from the design team, the construction team, and the client will the project become more than just a sum of its parts. These relationships are often the difference between good and great projects.

Wil earned his degrees from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and after receiving his Masters in 2015, he began his career with H/S the same year.

When Wil isn’t in the office, he tries to spend as much time outdoors as possible, either running, golfing, or enjoying the patio of a local restaurant / bar. He is also a firm believer that daylight saving time should be permanent.

With over 30 years of business management experience in the architecture industry, Robin joined Holly & Smith in Hammond in 1989. Her role at the firm is far-reaching. She is responsible for overseeing all administrative operations as well as Human Resources and Accounting for both the Hammond and New Orleans offices. She has an expert understanding of the business of design and construction and what it means to bring a project to life through completion. This is consistently demonstrated in her thorough accuracy of budget management and client contract compliance while always staying focused on the bottom line. Her long-term commitment to Holly & Smith and support for its Principals and Staff have proven invaluable to the firm.

Robin attended Southeastern Louisiana University, where she received her undergraduate degree in Office Management in 1983 and a master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) in 2003. She is also a Class of 2016 graduate of the Leadership Tangipahoa program.

When not at work, Robin enjoys spending time with her family and two grandchildren, Myles and Maisy. She also plays clarinet each Sunday in the church orchestra. Her other loves include playing the piano, singing, gardening, and traveling with her husband, Mark.

No one could be happier than Jeffrey Smith to see the new appreciation for sustainability and environmental sensitivity spreading so rapidly in architecture today. That’s because those are the values that have long informed his worldview and his approach to design.

Born and raised in the Creole culture of New Orleans and educated in the Acadian culture of Lafayette, Jeffrey gained an early and intimate understanding of the way meaningful, lasting design can reflect the fabric of a community and respond to the demands of a particular environment. This cultural context and a deep affection for nature combine in his work as he strives to find the best solutions for each client’s needs.

Jeffrey’s pursuit of architecture follows a family tradition begun by his father and older brothers. Jeffrey earned his architecture degree from the University of Southwest Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette) in 1979 and later teamed up with fellow alum Michael Holly to form Holly & Smith Architects in downtown Hammond. From this first partnership, they have built Holly & Smith Architects into a highly respected architecture firm in the State of Louisiana.

Jeffrey has served his community as past president of Hammond’s Central Business District Association where he helped establish the Hammond Downtown Development District. He is also a past chairman of the Hammond Historic District Commission, has served on the board of the Hammond Downtown Development District, the board of the Chamber of Commerce, co-chairman of the Tangipahoa Parish Land Use Planning Committee, past chair of the steering committee for the City of Hammond Comprehensive Master Plan, and past member of the Planning & Zoning Commission for the City of Hammond. He’s currently serving on the Hammond Downtown Development District Design Committee.

He has also made extensive contributions to the professional community of architecture through his work with the American Institute of Architects. Over the years, he has served on the editorial board of the Gulf State Regional journal (Architecture South), as Honor Awards chairman for AIA Louisiana and AIA New Orleans, and an active member of the AIA National Committee on Design. He is also the past president of the AIA New Orleans Chapter and the AIA Louisiana State Chapter. In 2009, Jeffrey was appointed by Gov. Bobby Jindal to the State Fire Protection Board of Review and recently reappointed by Gov. John Bel Edwards and has been elected chairman.

Mr. Morris is the President of Holly and Smith Architects and has served as the Founder and Director of the New Orleans Studio for over 13 years. As a licensed professional with 28 years of diverse experience, Kevin’s tenacity has led the team to successfully complete many technically-sophisticated and logistically-challenging projects throughout southeast Louisiana. With an inability to sit still, Kevin is actively involved in numerous facets of a project’s development, including Programming, Planning, Design, Production, and Construction Administration. He is passionate about design and unusually committed to seeking simple, creative, and elegant solutions.

Kevin’s personality and infectious sense of humor make him an ideal candidate for leading H/S in the arena of Marketing and Business Development. His technical knowledge and experience have earned him respect and a great rapport with many colleagues throughout the architectural and construction community.

In the profession, Mr. Morris is actively involved in the AIA, having served previously in numerous State and local level positions. He maintains NCARB certifications as well as various technical certifications for the Construction Specification Institute. As a faith-driven person, Kevin is a member of Legatus New Orleans and serves on the Board of Directors for Manresa House of Retreats as Secretary. He is actively involved with his local church parish and serves weekly in the Music Ministry and special events. Additionally, he is a member of The Green Project of New Orleans, serving on the Board of Directors as the Vice President.

If that wasn’t enough, his professional career and spiritual life are counterbalanced by his family engagement and involvement in just about everything, including – music, fishing, golf, volleyball, cooking, and automotive repair.

Industry awards and peer recognition are important, but what gives Mark Beckers the most satisfaction is to hear a building praised by people who may have no idea he played a role in its creation.

That sort of unsolicited feedback speaks to the ultimate mark of success for a building, one that is admired and enjoyed by the people who use it and see it.

With that end result in mind, Mark strives to form collaborative working relationships in which clients share their vision for a project and trust him to help develop the full possibilities that vision holds.

A graduate of Louisiana State University, he has been a registered architect since 1990. He is a member of the Baton Rouge chapter of the A.I.A. and the Construction Specifications Institute. He has served on the Hammond Historic District Commission and the city of Central Board of Adjustments. He is a registered LEED Green Associate interested in how buildings can become more sustainable and function at a higher level of efficiency.

Mark also maintains a family-run horse show barn along with his wife and their two daughters. 

A corporate office, a medical clinic, and an academic building all have something in common for Mary Mowad Guiteau. Each represents an opportunity to engage her problem-solving skills and detail-oriented approach to develop functional, engaging interior environments.

Her work in commercial interior design starts with programming to understand the specific needs of each unique client. She then takes that programmatic information and develops space plans that are functional, efficient, and innovative. From there, she develops the design and construction documents and completes each project with finishes, furnishings, and accessories that add the final touches. Listening to her clients, responding to their project requirements, and guiding them to think creatively are a few of the things Mary loves about her role. She prides herself on creating spaces and environments in which her clients – and, in turn, the people they serve – enjoy spending their time.

She has been a featured speaker at the national IFMA World Workplace conference and has been published five times in IFMA’s national magazine, Facility Management Journal.

Mary devotes her free time to her two children and encourages them to pursue their passion for school, the arts, and sports. She is also involved in numerous volunteer activities, from serving on the Board of the Hammond Downtown Development District to raising funds for Children’s Miracle Network through the statewide Phi Mu Ladies of Louisiana philanthropic organization, of which she is a founding member. She was named Woman of the Year in 2004 and 2013 by the Southern Federation of Syrian Lebanese American Clubs and recently served as President of this 20-state regional nonprofit organization. Mary is a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute (class of 2024) and is a graduate of the Baton Rouge Business Report Leadership Academy (class of 2021), Leadership Academy 2.0 (class of 2022), and Leadership Tangipahoa (class of 2014).

Mary earned a degree in interior design from Louisiana State University in 1997 and has been a Louisiana state-registered interior designer since 2001 and became registered in Texas in 2022. She joined H/S in 2007.

“Getting there” in architecture is more than half the fun for Michael Holly. In fact, getting there – or fulfilling the architectural process from a conceptual design to a completed structure – embodies the essence of continual collaboration, reflection, and exploration that informs his endeavors, inspires his life, and enriches his soul.

He is devoted to the idea that architecture should have an uplifting impact on its environment and that the details that go into a building or plan should support its specific purpose as much as its overall design concept.

Michael earned his architecture degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette) and has been a registered architect since 1977. In 1980, he founded Michael Holly & Associates Inc and Jeffrey Smith joined the team in 1985 and shortly thereafter Holly & Smith Architects APAC was formed. From that time, they have built Holly & Smith into the largest architecture firm on the Northshore of Lake Ponchartrain and developed a regional brand that is known throughout Louisiana.

Over the 40 year span of the Holly & Smith organization, he has contributed his leadership abilities to a broad array of civic, art, education, charitable and professional organizations and has played a key role in the rejuvenation of downtown Hammond. His contributions to the Hammond Historic District Commission at its inception and as former chairman of the Downtown Development District Board of Directors, he has contributed in working to keep the city’s downtown center a vibrant place to live, work and visit. Documentation of the 40-year transformation of Historic Downtown Hammond, can be found at the following link, (http://createsend.com/t/r-51B8FCB42F689D082540EF23F30FEDED)

Michael has received numerous awards in architecture design and leadership, but he is most proud of the more than 100 awards Holly & Smith Architects has earned for design excellence during his years as the firm’s president. As immediate past president of the organization, he will remain Chairman of the Board of Directors for the corporation.

In addition to his design and leadership counsel in general, Michael has guided the focus of H/S in the education design realm. He is a member of the AIA Committee on Education and former Governor of the Louisiana Chapter of the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE).

Michael is certified as a Recognized Educational Facility Planner (REFP), which is A4LE’s professional designation to recognize the successful achievements and continual professional development efforts of educational facility planners. This distinction is currently only given to two (2) professionals in the State of Louisiana. He has traveled with these groups while attending seminars that have discussed the cutting edge of design and technology relative to education and learning environments. His forward-thinking approach has assisted the administrators of school districts to re-energize and re-focus their teaching methodology to align with current teaching philosophies and create the school of the future. Teaching methodologies such as project-based learning, technology-based blended learning, themed schools, and collaborative learning, have all influenced the way we design learning environments. This knowledge and experience over a span of 40 years have given Michael the wisdom to be a leader in the realm of education design.

Paul Morvant’s interest in architecture began in high school where he nurtured an affinity for the art of making things, but it wasn’t until college that he fully immersed himself in the discipline. His studies at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, helped him develop a profound appreciation for how architecture can have an affect on the way people live.

Paul coupled this fascination for the creative process with a deep seated desire to make a difference in the world. He joined Holly & Smith Architects in 2008.

Aspiration and lofty vision compel his thinking. Paul says architects should strive — in every project and in every facet of design — to develop the built environment in a way that heightens one’s experience of the world. No detail is too small; no client thought or question, is too trivial to dismiss.

As he sees it, architects are employed to listen, and then to act deliberately to create honest architecture that is true to form, function and budget. In his career, as with life in general, Paul says listening is the key to understanding.

Outside the office, he stays active with other creative pursuits such as woodworking, but says his true idea of leisure is spending time with close friends and family.

The world of design and construction has always been a part of Pierre’s life.

Growing up, his father managed a lumberyard and later became a general contractor. During his childhood, he was frequently exposed to the practical process of “making things” and the realization that hard work is a necessary means to fulfillment in whatever the endeavor might be. Simultaneously, Pierre discovered a love for art and sketching at an early age. Throughout his upbringing, he found himself drawn to work related to building and construction, which in turn, developed into a passion for architecture.

Pierre attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette), where he was frequently recognized for design excellence and was the 1998 recipient of the David R. Williams Thesis Award. He graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors and joined Holly & Smith Architects after graduation in 1998. He became a Louisiana State Licensed Architect in 2005 and a shareholder at H/S in 2010.

Pierre has served his community as chairman of the Hammond Historic District Commission, a board member of the Hammond Regional Arts Center, a Hammond Downtown Development District design committee member, and chairman of the board of directors. He also served on the Hammond Rotary Board of Directors as treasurer. He is a graduate of the Leadership Tangipahoa program, Class of 2010, and participated in the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute (NORLI) class of 2020.

In 2020, he was appointed as the Vice President in Charge of Design Direction at Holly & Smith Architects. He leads the firm in design and brand identity. He is most excited about the firm’s direction for the future as we continually expand the meaning and impact of our ethos to Design for Life. As an organization, we design for the life of our clients, our communities, our climate, our eco-systems, and ultimately our planet with passion and conviction that is unwavering. At home, he enjoys making music, playing guitar, and, with the help of his wife Jessica, tries to keep up with his two teenage children.

Ryan Faulk believes that building starts with listening.

Open communication is among the first and most important steps in the building process, and Ryan understands the vital role an architect plays in conveying a client’s dreams, concerns and wishes to both the designers in the studio and construction teams in the field. When done right, he believes this process can help ensure a client ends up with a quality product to be proud of for many years to come.

Ryan earned his degree in architecture from the University of Southwest Louisiana (now University of Louisiana at Lafayette) in 2000. That same year, he joined Holly & Smith Architects, where he has found the high standards and friendly, accessible culture of the firm in sync with his own personal approach to client service and architectural excellence. Ryan became a shareholder at H/S in 2010.

Robert is a seasoned Project Manager/Architect/Designer with over 30 years of experience in the planning, design, and construction of a diverse range of project types, including government, institutional, hospitality, interiors, recreational, and office facilities. His extensive background covers the entire design process scope and he has directed every project phase, from scope definition/programming through construction documents to construction administration and project closeout.

Strong management skills, including personnel and project scheduling, design team supervision, studio management, client relations, contract preparation, consultant management, financial tracking, and quality control, are just some of the skills Robert has developed and honed throughout his career. He also maintains excellent technical qualifications, producing and overseeing the production of detailed construction documents and specifications.

Robert has earned a reputation within the Architectural Community for his solid design skills combined with an innate sense of creativity. He is committed to designing aesthetically attractive, architecturally strong, and functional spaces. His dedication to the craft extends past the drawing board and into the field. He has performed Construction Administration services for various project types, including new construction and complex, multi-phase renovations of existing structures.

Some architects credit landmark buildings or formative travel experiences with inspiring their career paths. For Rohit Sood, it was a napkin.

This particular napkin was the makeshift sketchpad a college friend used to explain an architecture school project during one late-night study session back in Rohit’s undergrad days. He was immediately riveted by the possibilities, and on this napkin he saw his future. The very next day Rohit decided to switch majors from electrical engineering to architecture.

From that initial, seemingly spontaneous spark, Rohit found a field and profession with the power to inspire him daily. He believes a successful project should meld a high level of design with practical solutions to each client’s individual goals and needs. He’s happy to report that the firm culture at Holly & Smith Architects, where attention to design is combined with attention to detail, fosters just this kind of success.

While outside of the office, he’s an avid outdoorsman, hitting hiking trails and fishing spots around the region. Rohit graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2004 and joined Holly & Smith Architects that same year.