Lake|Flato Architects, Inc.

Lake|Flato fosters a collaborative open studio environment that leverages each persons passion and unique talents to develop common ownership of award winning design. As architects, teachers, environmental stewards and community advocates, Lake|Flato seeks to foster the education of the next generation of architects. We do this by exuding excellence in our efforts to integrate design and sustainability, through our engagement in civic focused community development. The life of Lake|Flato extends beyond its walls with members riding together on The 3rd Street Grackles, our office bicycle team, or participating in weekly kickball or volleyball leagues. But the spirit of the firm is best exemplified by Flake|Lato Weekend. For over twenty five years, members of the firm and their families have gathered at Kickapoo Ranch in West Texas for a weekend of swimming, fishing, camping and mountain biking that celebrates our shared love of the outdoors and our unique community. Sustainability, a term originating in the ecological sciences, describes ecosystems that thrive in a dynamic balance particular to their place. Each element of a sustainable system balances itself against other aligned and competing elements to create a unique fit within its natural context. Lake|Flato believes that good design requires us to seek this same balance within our own work. Design and sustainability cannot be teased apart. Each design must find its particular fit relative to intended use, cultural context and the natural environment. For over 25 years, Lake|Flato has employed practical and thoughtful sustainable strategies that conserve resources, engage nature and promote healthful living. Simply defined, sustainable design is smart design that looks beyond the building and considers the larger context. We strive to create restorative environments that enhance our understanding and relationship to the natural world. Our process is collaborative and integrates knowledge from a wide range of sustainable expertise. It requires that we look to art, science and nature to listen and learn. We benchmark building energy performance from early-stage modeling through completion to verify the efficacy of our designs and strategies.