About
With a foundation established in 1974, Lamb Architecture has been a pioneer in architectural innovation and sustainability in Texas.
Led by the esteemed architect Thomas Lamb, our team brings over 50 years of experience and technical proficiency to every project. Our focus on creativity and functionality ensures remarkable design solutions that stand the test of time
Over the years, Lamb Architecture has had the privilege of working with a diverse range of clients across residential, commercial, and institutional sectors. Each project has been a testament to our commitment to excellence and client satisfaction.
01
Innovative Designs
Unleash your imagination with our forward-thinking and creative architectural
designs.
02
Sustainable Solutions
We prioritize sustainability in every project, delivering environmentally conscious architectural solutions.
03
Client-Centric Approach
Our team ensures every design aligns with client needs and aspirations, exceeding expectations every time.
Our Vision
To redefine boundaries and set new standards in architectural design through innovation and sustainable practices.
Our Mission
Our mission is to inspire and shape environments that enhance lives, foster creativity, and leave a positive impact on communities.
Mr. Thomas Lamb
Founder and Principal Architect
Thomas A. Lamb has more than 50 years of experience in all facets of architectural services, including construction management and development of a broad range of projects. His diversified architectural background includes residential, institutional, commercial and industrial projects, from design through construction, administration and management.
Thomas A. Lamb is a registered Architect (Texas License #7949 and Common Wealth of Virgina License #0401-014563) and Interior Designer (Texas Cert. #8368). He is affiliated and a member with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (Cert. #35640) . Certified by South Texas Regional Certification Agency ( Cert. #208075049 – SBE & MBE). Registered Builder with Texas Residential Construction Commission (Cert.# 16670). He graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture. Also, he is bilingual; being fluent in both English and Spanish is a valuable skill in the South Texas construction environment.
Please feel free to browse the website @ lambarchitecture.com and view Thomas A. Lamb’s qualifications and completed projects. When you need Architectural Design, Building Coordination, Construction, Interior Design or Space Planning, do not hesitate to contact Thomas A. Lamb.
Mr. Tommy Lamb, Vice President
Tommy Lamb has provided construction services for some of the largest General Contractors in Texas such as Struthoff Construction, S.B.S. Construction, W&B Contractors, Haron Construction, Metropolitan Contracting, Kiki Construction, Regent Living Development, Great South Construction, Growing Solutions, and Jeff Andrews Construction. All these continue to provide us with on going projects.
Melissa Hurst
Interior Stylist
Interior decoration is generally a smaller part of the interior design industry. Interior decorators are often referred to as decorators or interior stylists.
Interior decoration is the decoration of a room or space to create an artistically pleasant appearance or a makeover. After the structural plans and renovations have been finished, a decoration unit usually takes place to produce a seamless look on the room in the social context of the project. Decorators can help customers pick color schemes, helps in picking accessories, and select furnishings for internal or external areas, and they will collaborate with furniture companies, upholstery designers, window coverings, etc.
These practitioners combine a new idea for the interior without changing the layout of the room fundamentally. Typically your doors, windows, toilets, and kitchens like functional spaces are untouched. Either furnishing pieces, lighting, soft decorations such as textiles, carpeting and accessories, works of art, toppings, and curtains, should be included. Without even full renovations, interior designers transform and upgrade your living environment spaces.
The interior decor is usually how, the room looks instead of how it works , that’s the art of interior decorating. The art and decor of the project are the fundamental levels of interior design.
“Imagination with experience is what we do”.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN & DESIGN BUILD SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR ALL TYPES OF PROJECTS NEW AND RENNOVATIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL RESTAURANT - MULTIFAMILY-LT INDUSTRIAL- USING REVIT - AUTOCAD SKETCHUP - BLUEBEAM
The services that an architect typically provides include concept design development, preparation of construction documents, and construction administration. Architects also provide a wide variety of additional services including feasibility studies, architectural programming and project management.
Depending on the level of service requested of an architect the following are typically offered by either the architect or their consultants:
Project Inception
– This the where the planning of a project starts. Working together with the architect, the client shares their project needs, ideas and goals. Schematic Design-During this stage the architect begins by preparing preliminary design sketches and concepts based on the client’s requirements and budget which help explore and illustrate possible options. The architect reviews the different options with the client going over the various pros and cons and responding to client input. Design Development- Once a schematic design is agreed upon and there is a clearer definition of the scope and quality of the finished project the design development phase begins. Additional cost projections help determine whether or not the design conforms to the preliminary budget, or what, if any, adjustments need to be made. Construction Documents- A continuation of the design development phase working drawings and specifications are developed after design concepts have been decided. These construction documents are what is required by the local municipalities in order to obtain building permits. They are also used to solicit bids from the various contractors that will be required to build the project. Bidding and Negotiation- An architect can advise on the choice of contractor by evaluating competitive
SEE DESIGN BUILD SERVICES DESCRIPTION AND ADVANTAGES BELOW
What Is a Design-Build Firm?
The design-build method has become an increasingly popular and eftective way of completing construction projects. Design-build firms operate under one contract with the project owner to complete both the design and build steps of a construction project. A single contract for both design and construction is what defines design-build methodology. This single contract streamlines the process while saving time and money for both the owner and the design-build team.
Learn how the design-build process works and why working with design-build companies is beneficial.
It you looked at a design-build flow chart, you’d see the process is straightforward. The phases of the process overlap so the project delivers significantly faster than a project done under other construction management styles, like general contracting. All the members of the team collaborate, which makes every aspect of the process more efficient.
1. Design-Builder Selection
Choosing a firm to work with is the first step. In any construction project, it’s important to choose a team that you can trust to ensure the project is completed properly and the way you envisioned it.
This step will take some research on your part, as you’ll want to find a firm with industry expertise and good credentials. Reading reviews and looking at a firm’s previously completed projects and timelines can help you determine if they’ll be a good fit for your project.
What Is a Design-Build Firm?
The design-build method has become an increasingly popular and eftective way of completing construction projects. Design-build firms operate under one contract with the project owner to complete both the design and build steps of a construction project. A single contract for both design and construction is what defines design-build methodology. This single contract streamlines the process while saving time and money for both the owner and the design-build team.
2. Preconstruction Planning and Project Proposal
The preparation step is equally ae important as the physical construction, as it sets the course for the project es a whole. In this phase, the design-build firm will get to know your vision, goals, budget and needs. After getting to know your expectations, the team will develop drawings, estimate costs and build potential schedules to offer you in a design-build proposal. The firm will discuss the proposal with you and make changes as necessary.
During this stage, the construction and design teams will simultaneously begin conducting financial and site assessments to prepare a job site for preconstruction, construction or Identify areas of need If you’re Improving a current space. Assessing sites before beginning construction allows the teams to prepare for any challenges that may arise so there are fewer setbacks in your project’s timeline.
3. Architectural and Engineering Design
The design phase is where the construction team will partner with an architectural team to complete the final drawings. This aspect of the design and build approach benefits the project owner because the input of all team members results in more accurate drawings. More accurate designs can help lower the chance of changes order issues with the plans as construction begins.
During this step of the design-build process, the team will look for areas for cost savings and efficiency while still meeting your preferences and needs. Most design-build companies look for anywhere they can help add value to a project while trying to save the owner money.
4. Construction
In most cases, the construction phase can begin while the design phase Is being completed. The construction team will prepare the job site and some elements of construction can begin while the designs are finalized. This process allows the teams to stick to a rigid schedule, completing the project quicker than in other methods. Early collaboration between architects and builders allows for a smoother construction process. Since all the workers are working on the same team and towards the same goal, communication is more effective and concerns can be addressed promptly
5. Post-Construction
After construction wraps up, you’ll have complete access to your new space, and the design-build organization will give you an overview of the project deliverables. This overview will mostly consist of documentation that the project has been completed and everything is signed off on. If the project was for a business, the post-construction phase might also include new training materials and walk-throughs for the owners and other management personnel.
There are many advantages to working with a design-build construction company that other methods simply can’t offer. With the entire team under one contract, project owners will benefit from faster delivery, better communication, reduced costs and more.
Faster Delivery
One of the biggest benefits of choosing a design-build firm for your construction project is the fast delivery rate. Design and build construction projects are often delivered at a rate that’s up to 102% faster than design-bid-build methods. In other construction methods, the design and construction processes happen separately through two or more different contractors. With the simplified firm selection process and simultaneous designing and building, project delivery happens much faster.
Better Communication
Having one entity the design-build company responsible for the project allows the process to run smoothly for both the project owner and the construction company. As the project owner, you’ll only have to be in contact with one person instead of trying to juggle multiple contractors and architects. A single point of contact also keeps the design-builder accountable, as there is no one else to blame for setbacks or other conflicts.
Overall, when you work with design-builders, you’ll experience fewer problems and no finger-pointing or blame. All the workers are under one contract, which means they’re all working together to accomplish your project.
There is also potential for a design-builder to find you cost savings during the building process. The Design-Build Institute of America reports that design-build companies have 3.8% less cost growth than design-bid-build methods. Many design-build firms look for opportunities where alternate materials could be used to reduce costs. In general, mistakes happen as a result of miscommunication. The high level of communication among a design-build team leads to fewer design changes that need to be made as a result of mistakes.
Access to Industry Experts
When working with a design-build firm, you’ll have access to industry experts that you won’t find elsewhere. Design-build companies build their teams to include the top contractors, engineers and architects so your project can benefit from their skills and knowledge. Design-builders will often hire outside contractors to assist on the project if their teams lack knowledge in a certain area.
This process is beneficial to you as the owner because the construction company is finding the right person for the job instead of allowing an inexperienced worker to make a mistake that will likely cost you time and money. Better yet, the contracting goes through the firm, making it one less thing on your plate.
Owner-Firm Collaboration
As the owner of a construction project, your input should be a valued part of the construction process. When working with a design-build firm, you’re seen as part of the team. Your input and ideas are highly considered when making project decisions. You have the opportunity to collaborate with the project managers and other members of the design- build team. By being involved with your project, you can ensure that your goals are met and the final product will be what you envisioned.
Design-Build Firms vs. Traditional Construction Companies
The process for working with a traditional construction company is quite different from working with a design- builder. The design-bid-build construct
Design-Build Versatility
As construction projects become increasingly advanced and specialized, traditional construction companies and general contractors will become a thing of the past. Most projects require a robust team that specializes in multiple disciplines. This versatility is an element of a design-build firm that general contractors and other traditional construction methods generally lack. It’s common for general contractors to need to hire subcontractors to complete aspects of a project. With additional contracts comes additional confusion, leaving more room for errors.
The design-build process is significantly more streamlined
than a traditional construction company’s process. The benefits of a design-builder make it easy to tell that they’re far more efficient, responsible and desirable to work with in comparison to traditional construction companies. As a cohesive unit, the design-build team works from start to finish to find ways to efficiently and quickly move through the phases and find solutions that will be of best value to the owner.
Design-Build Transparency
Aside from the cost and time savings, one of the biggest differences of working with a design-build firm is the role you play as the owner. Despite being unprofessional and frustrating, workers from different teams will often fight and blame each other on job sites. When working with design-bid-build companies, it’s common for owners to get stuck in the middle of an architect-contractor dispute. These disputes often lead to a loss of focus on the project, and the owner’s needs can be overlooked for what the contractor wants to do.When working with a design-builder.
You can eliminate "mediation" from your to-do list.
Design-builders value the inclusion of your design opinions and encourage you to become part of the team. The collaborative nature of design-build projects eliminates the big egos often associated with traditional construction companies.
Don't Be Fooled By The Term "Design-Build"
Full transparency: The term “design-build” is a lie in the building industry. Lately, you may have noticed builders marketing themselves as a “design-build” firm, but don’t be fooled. This could be a huge red flag for your custom home process.
Before we dive into why this is, let’s back up with a little history lesson. A century ago, when we began the modern era of home design and building, architects used to be called the “master builder” because they designed and built the building. Over time, this changed. Architects decided to pass off the building pan, possibly to push off some of the responsibility so they could focus on the fun part: designing. Over time, this turned into two separate processes-until recently (kind-of).
What’s Considered a True Design-Build Firm?
Builders are now promoting themselves as “design-build.” Spoiler alert: They re not “design-build.” These days, builders aren’t actually builders anymor they’re contractors. The general contractor subs out all of the plumbing, electric, framing, etc. Well, they also sub out a draftsman, and voila! They call themselves “design-build.”
Unfortunately, this doesn’t get to the heart of what”design-build” really is. In theory, “design-build” means that the group that’s designing the building is actually involved in and in charge of the building of it. That’s what we do at Lamb Architecture now. Although we may not be onsite with our boots on, hammering away, we are contracting, supervising, and approving all of the building.
What you’re looking tor in a true “design-build” are integrated services, where the architect is working within the building process, and vice- versa. At Lamb Architecture, for example, while we’re designing, our construction manager is in every single weekly meeting. The contractor is involved in design all the way through the building process, and then the architect designer is in every single weekly meeting on site and involved
CLIENTS TESTIMONIALS
What Our Clients Are Saying
At LambArchitecture, we take pride in
delivering exceptional architectural solutions that meet our clients’ needs and
exceed their expectations. Here’s what some of our satisfied clients have to say
about their experience working with us:
I am pleased to introduce this letter of recommendation for Mr. Thomas A. Lamb, architect and contractor. In 2007 we engaged Mr. Lamb to prepare the construction drawing for our retail store "Marti's" in downtown San Antonio, Texas. His professionalism and guidelines allowed us to complete our building under budget and in time. Our situation was unique in that our building is in historic downtown San Antonio, which is a very sensitive area historically. We are right next door to the Spanish Governor's Palace (c:1722) and Mr. Lamb was instrumental in securing the necessary permits as well as supervising the entire process. Mr. Lamb's sensitivity was very important to us as we are a 57 year old family business, Marti's, from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. As our reputation required that we introduce our business to San Antonio with the same flair with which our reputation demanded of us, Mr. Lamb understood this process very well and worked very diligently to maintain our focus.
Part of the construction was done by Mr. Lamb's construction company supervised by Mr. Thomas Lamb, Jr., which was done exceptionally well. His experience is rewarding and very valuable.
do not hesitate to recommend this firm to anyone as we are absolutely satisfied with their work and then some.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions,