THOUGHTBARN is an architectural practice in Austin, TX, that champions design as a tool for imagining new possibilities.
We work on diverse projects that help foster vibrant, livable places - from housing and workplaces, to retail and hospitality spaces, to public installations and land-use policies. Across all projects we seek to create spaces full of character, which combine an inventive use of materials, an attitude of resourcefulness and a keen social and environmental ethic.
In 2024 we were honored to receive the AIA Austin Firm Achievement Award as well as a national Architects Newspaper Best of Practice Award.
Our Approach
THOUGHTBARN is a tight-knit, collaborative team of designers led by Robert Gay and Lucy Begg. We do our best work in partnership with vision-driven clients and communities that care about good design at multiple scales - from neighborhood context and site planning, to material choices and how the details come together.
Our clients range from developers and entrepreneurs, to private homeowners and businesses, to municipal and non-profit organizations. People often come to us in search of innovative or unconventional solutions to their design challenges. To that end, our projects include many firsts, for example:
- the first commercial building in Austin to use mass timber as part of its structural system
- a series of 3d-printed housing prototypes for formerly homeless residents
- the first artist-led community garden in the city
- a rare pair of fourplexes that combine historic preservation with 'missing middle' density
Our culture of experimentation extends to how we practice. Over the years we have tested alternative business models such as design/build, public art, joint ventures and digital fabrication consulting, with the goal of expanding the impact and agency of architects. We give back to our community through pro-bono design work, participation in AIA chapters and volunteer service with local non-profits.
Our Services
For Homeowners:
New-Build Houses, Whole-House Renovations & Additions, Accessory Units, Feasibility Studies
For Businesses:
Workspace, Hospitality & Retail Tenant Fit-Outs, Adaptive Re-Use Renovations, Purpose-Designed New-Builds
For Developers (Market-Rate & Non-Profit):
Mixed-Use and Commercial Buildings, Adaptive Re-use Renovations, ‘Missing Middle’ Housing, Multifamily Renovations, Affordable Housing
For Municipalities:
Public Installations, Civic Spaces, Land-Use Policies
Contact
Address: 2901 East 2nd Street, Austin, TX, 78702
Office Phone: 512.386.1579
Visits to the studio are by appointment only; please contact us prior to visiting. Thank you, Thoughtbarn.
AROUND TOWN
2024 / 2023
- AIA Austin 2024 Honor Awards / Firm Achievement Award
- Architects Newspaper 2024 Best of Practice Award / Best Small Practice in SW Region
- Preservation Austin Awards / 4300 Speedway wins a 2024 Merit Award for Rehabilitation
- Austin Mayoral & City Candidate Forum / Moderator for Housing Forum - "Hot Takes On Housing"
- AIA Austin 2024 Conference / Panel Participant - "Advocating for Missing Middles"
- Texas Architect / First Light Books and 2901 E2 featured in Jan/Feb 2024 issue - "Together Again"
- AIA Austin Housing Advocacy Roundtable / Panel participant on City of Austin HOME Initiative update
2022 / 2021
- AIA Austin Women in Architecture / Lucy featured in 'Profiles' 2022 video series
- AIA Austin 2022 Conference / Panel Participant - “Housing Equity for a Growing City”
- Austin Foundation for Architecture 2022 'Architalks' / "Other Ways of Making Houses"
- Cite Magazine / 901 East Sixth included in article - "How Much Carbon Does Your Building Embody?
- AIA Tennessee 2021 Annual Conference / Keynote lecture - "Finding Orientation"
- Texas Architect / Author of article - "Central Texas Chapter of NOMA Forms Amid Pandemic and Protest"
- Architect Magazine / Tiny Victories featured in article - "Small Houses, Big Impact"
- Texas Architect / Avenue C Fourplexes featured in article - "Under Pressure"
2020
- AIA Austin 2020 Homes Tour / Ridgeview House featured on annual Homes Tour
- Architects Newspaper / Thoughtbarn named one of 2020's Top 50 Interiors Firm
- Austin Monthly Home / Article on Ridgeview House
- AIA Austin Conference / Panel participant - "Still Missing: Studies in Incremental Density"
- AIA Austin Design Awards / Avenue C Fourplexes receives Design Award of Merit
- AN Interiors / The Citizenry featured in article - "Crafty, y'all"
- AIA Austin Honor Awards / Lucy receives Emerging Professional Achievement Award
- US Wood Design Awards / 901 East Sixth wins Regional Excellence Award
- Texas Architect / Author of article - "Austin Code Kerfuffle Continues Contentiously"
2019 / 2018
- AN Best of 2019 Awards / 901 East Sixth and Avenue C Fourplexes awarded Honorable Mentions
- Preservation Austin 2019 Awards /Avenue C Fourplexes Merit Award for Addition & Infill category
- Urban Land Institute Impact Awards / 901 East Sixth wins 2019 'Best Project Innovation' Award
- ArchDaily / Ridgeview House featured
- Dwell / Ridgeview House featured - "An Angular Austin Home Makes Way For Heritage Oak Trees"
- University of Texas School of Architecture Fall 2018 Series / "Finding Orientation"
- Art in Public Places 2018 ‘ Visionary Voices’ Series / Lecture on Thoughtbarn's public art projects
Sign Up for Tbarn Newsletter
Enter your name and email address to receive occasional updates from the studio. We promise not to sell your information.