DOB&EEL is David O’Brien and Erin E. Lindley.
DOB&EEL is David O’Brien and Erin Lindley.
We are a husband-and-wife design team based in Austin, TX. We each have over 20 years experience designing homes, art galleries, museums, high-tech office space and even large-scale public art. We are licensed to practice Architecture and members of the AIA. Our specialty is custom residential architecture, with the capability to do interior design, industrial design, small scale commercial work and more. Whether it’s a remodel, multi-room addition, or complete new build, we have the knowledge, state-of-the-art tools and experience to bring it to life.
DAVID O’BRIEN
David was born in Washington D.C and grew up in Southern Maryland. He graduated in 2000 from Virginia Tech with a 5-year Degree in Architecture and Industrial Design. Early in his career he worked for high profile architects including Deborah Burke and Frank Gehry. In 2017 he became licensed as an Architect, and in 2023 joined the AIA (American Institute of Architects) in Austin, TX. Throughout his life David has been active as an artist, with numerous residencies and gallery shows around the country.
ERIN LINDLEY
Erin grew up in Dallas, TX and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas in Austin. She earned her Masters in Architecture from Georgia Tech. She has experience working for top architecture firms including SOM, Frank Gehry and Gensler. While working at Gensler she spent over 2 years developing the North American headquarters for TikTok. She specializes in interior architecture, approaching design from the inside out, and has a great love of vintage furniture design.
SERVICES:
We are a full service architecture firm.
Feasibility Studies - The first site visit is on us. We will come take a look at your house or lot to see what is possible, what the code will allow, and what needs further study. Once we are working together we dive deeper into research to fully understand all the angles on code and feasibility.
Schematic Design - In the beginning, we start by sketching. Pencil and paper, listening, drawing. Meeting with you to understand your ideas and your vision. This is the fun part; talking, taking notes, generating ideas. We have a great deal of tools at our disposal. We love to draw, but we also love generative Ai, we love 3D modeling and drafting, we even make physical models with paper and glue. There are many ways to approach design.
Design Development - Once ideas have crystalized into floorplans, it’s time to get to work. We take the sketches and 3D models and transform them into a set of construction drawings ready to present to engineers, city code officials and builders.
Design Coordination - We have a great network of local design professionals. Building or remodeling a home means hiring an architect, but you might also need a structural engineer, and landscape designer, an interior designer, or some other specialist. We can help you assemble the right team to get any job done.
Landscaping, Pools and Hardscaping - Swimming pools, decks, patios, trees and landscape - in our view these all are extensions of the architectural vision for a project. We help design all these things. We can also help you coordinate with landscape specialists to pick out exact species of plants and get them installed and growing happily.
Permitting - We get permits. Whatever the project needs to get approval, we have great working relationships with city officials and inspectors in City of Austin, City of Westlake Hills and Travis County. We are also happy to work with Permit Expeditors to help speed up the process.
Bidding and Negotiation with contractors - Large or small, it’s important to get multiple quotes for any construction project. After we’ve collaborated with you on the design, we can help you navigate the search for a builder. We can even connect you with trusted builders we know, get quotes moving and help you make sense of the numbers. And for our builder-clients, this is the phase where we can help you review shops, compare quotes from subs and ensure you get the best deals possible without sacrificing quality.
Construction Administration - Once construction begins, we make sure that you’re vision gets built the right way. That means regular site visits to check quality control, working closely with the builder and engineers to meet any challenges together, and making sure that the whole process runs smoothly. Something important to remember, with custom architecture each project is unique, and every building project presents it’s own unique challenges to solve. Having the architect onboard throughout construction ensures the best possible outcome.
ABOUT US:
We have a lifetime of experience in the world of art and architecture, and we love what we do. Together we have participated in the design of major museums, art galleries, state-of-the-art office spaces and environmentally friendly modern homes.
After many years of living in California and New Mexico we relocated to Austin, TX in 2020 to be closer to family and friends. We live in south Austin and have two wonderful kids age 4 and 10. We love to swim, ride bikes, make art and be outdoors. DOB&EEL are licensed to practice Architecture at any scale in Texas. We’re also NCARB Certified, giving us the ability to work in multiple states. Our experience working in diverse climates and locations, from houses in the high desert of New Mexico to big urban projects in L.A. and Paris, have shaped our own unique perspective on the built environment.
It takes a big team of people to make a building. Openness and collaboration are essential. We strive to build great relationships and make the process fun along the way. From the first pencil sketches all the way through finish construction, we are here to support our clients and advocate for the highest level of build quality. Drop us a line and tell us about your project. Thanks! :)