About

About

Detail at Every Scale

Persistent design is the implicit intent to create occupiable art that both reflects and expands the architectural language of our time. The success of our ethos is one of spatial relationships based upon a series of scales where every project encompasses not only the most removed, observable viewpoint, but also the most detailed. No programmatic element is ever overlooked, whether large or small in scale. We approach every project not only at the scale of the city, the block and the street, but also at the level of the smallest minutiae – the joint, the reveal and the grain. No scale is superior but rather informative, relating to the other culminating in a unified architectural language.

Philosophy

We listen.

Our client-centered, team-building approach allows us to engage our clients throughout the entire design process by initiating strong communication and listening to ensure every critical person in the client’s circle are members of our team.

We believe in creating solutions for our environment and for our future.

Committed to resilient, sustainable, and socially responsible building practices, we customize each project specifically to the client’s needs, interpreting their visions into built form. We argue for your best project.

Process-driven architectural design is a methodology of analysis that derives from an anticipatable outcome.

We strive for persistent design that transcends time.

The process of “mapping” reveals systems of integration inherent to the project that NANO interprets and combines with the normative practices of architecture to create a project that is unique to each client, site, and project.

Since inception, our company and the industry have evolved, but we remain constant to our ethos of process driven design, resulting in high quality products, culminating in persistent and intentional architecture.

Services

Established in 2001 in New Orleans, NANO is an internationally recognized, award-winning firm offering architectural services, master planning, interior design, and customized design experiences. Utilizing a variety of delivery methods, our portfolio includes new construction, renovations, and historic preservation within the commercial, residential, educational, industrial, and municipal sectors. NANO has grown from a small, two-person husband and wife team focused on process driven scaled architecture, construction and hand-made custom furniture to a 20-person firm performing international recognized, resilient solutions to our built environment while honing our craft for the future solutions to our communities and global challenges today.

NANO...

Have you ever wondered what happens when you hire an architect? A lot! These are the steps NANO LLC takes when we start your project. Keep in mind that not all of these steps are necessary for all projects. Some are more tailored to residential clients, and others are more for commercial clients, and depending on the type and size of the project even some additional steps not listed here could be needed. On any project, we ALWAYS customize these steps to reflect exactly what the client’s specific needs are!

  • 1

    Consultation

    An initial meeting with the client to discuss site selection, scope of work, design strategy, schedule and budget based upon the program, users, and future needs for the project. Goals, business, community, market research and/or a client’s business plan comes into play at this very early stage of the design process to help develop which direction the design should take.

    If the client decides to move forward and hire NANO, a contract is then submitted and, once signed, the project commences.

    Consultation
  • 2

    PROGRAMMING

    NANO will visit the site, review existing conditions, and take as-built measurements of what is there. A set of as-built plans are created. These are simple floor plans and exterior elevations – a minimal set showing what currently exists on site and nothing more. A surveyor is typically contacted at this stage and scheduled to produce a site survey – this survey is eventually incorporated into the as-built documents. 

    NANO will visit the city/county building department to review applicable records which may include as-built drawings of an existing building; previous surveys; public records. NANO will gather information from state/city agencies regarding specific land use and building code requirements as well as pre-submittal and pre-permit procedures. NANO will also create a schedule to outline what will be done and by when.

    PROGRAMMING
  • 3

    SCHEMATIC DESIGN

    NANO will generate 2-3 preliminary designs incorporating the information from Step 2. At this stage, NANO brings design concepts to the table - we will focus on how the building is experienced during this step. We will explore the sequence of how you approach the building and move through the space. The general locations of the functions within the building are considered and graphically represented in diagram form. 

    The graphics, illustrations, and sketches are just diagrams at this stage. Features like windows may be added schematically or not at all. Simple plans and elevations are produced to represent relationships among spaces and the basic envelope shape (think about it like carving a simple, basic model out of a block of clay). Material options start to become part of the discussion and a target budget is established for the overall project. There are typically 2-4 client meetings involved with this step. The client makes decisions with the help from NANO regarding the various schematic options. An overall design strategy is chosen.

    SCHEMATIC DESIGN
  • 4

    DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

    As decisions continue to be made, NANO further develops the schematic drawings. The graphics evolve from diagrams to actual architecture at this step. Materials are decided on and NANO figures out how everything fits together (how does the floor meet the wall: base trim, flush trim, no trim).

    Window openings are further defined with mullions and opening locations. Information from other consultants, like the structural engineer, is developed and coordinated with the design drawings. Specifications for materials, fixtures/appliances, assembly details, and relevant code information are incorporated into the project. Recommendations from trades, suppliers, and manufacturers are added to the drawing set. The client continues to make decisions at a more specific level of detail.

    DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
  • 5

    CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS

    A full set of construction documents provides graphic documentation for bidding and execution of construction services. These documents provide all information necessary to construct the project -- they are legal documents. 

    After final approval from Authorities Having Jurisdiction, NANO will proceed to construction documents, entailing a complete set for permitting and construction. NANO will also handle all documents and exchanges with the city/local permitting office, as well as other authorities associated with the project.

    CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
  • 6

    BIDDING + NEGOTIATIONS

    The construction documents are sent out to several contractors, and they are asked to review them and submit a bid for how much they would charge for construction. Then, negotiations on the pricing occur. For fast-track projects, this stage is negated since a contractor was brought in at Step 3.

    BIDDING + NEGOTIATIONS
  • 7

    CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION

    The documents and drawings for the project are now complete and construction begins. NANO is responsible for coordinating the work of contractors/subcontractors and overseeing quality control on the construction of the project. NANO is retained to answer questions, deal with clarifications, and administer revisions if necessary. In most instances, it is mandatory that code required field inspections and quality control during construction is overseen by a licensed architect. 

    NANO protects the interests of the client and the integrity of the design. We will review the invoices, overall costs and scheduling, and provide purchasing of finishes and fixtures, if needed.

    CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION

Awards

  • AIA New Orleans Honor Award in Historic Preservation, Renovation, & Adaptive Reuse

    Frederick A. Douglass High School Auditorium

    2023

  • Louisiana Landmarks Society, Excellence in Historic Preservation

    Frederick A. Douglass High School Auditorium

    2023

  • SMPS Southeast Louisiana, Community Service Program of the Year

    Fats Domino Tiny Homes

    2023

  • AIA Louisiana, Award of Merit for Unbuilt Architecture

    Shaping the City

    2022

  • AIA New Orleans, Honor Award for Unbuilt Architecture

    Shaping the City

    2022

  • Louisiana Economic Development, Louisiana Growth Leader

    2022

  • Home Builder Digest, The 20 Best Residential Architects in Louisiana

    2022

  • European Cultural Centre, ECC Venice Biennale Architecture Award

    SUBMERGED EXPERIENCE

    2022

  • New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Morial Award, Small Business of the Year

    2021

  • General Contractors Magazine, The 15 Best Commercial Architects in New Orleans

    2021

  • General Contractors Magazine, The Best Retail Architects in New Orleans

    2021

  • Inside New Orleans, Readers' Favorite Architecture Company

    2021

  • New Orleans Homes, Renovation of the Year

    Hector Avenue Residence

    2019

  • IIDA Delta Regional, Interior Design Excellence Awards, Award of Excellence

    Lake Conroe Residence

    2019

  • IIDA Delta Regional, Interior Design Excellence Awards, Award of Recognition

    Festival Productions

    2019

  • AIA New Orleans, Merit Award for Divine Detail

    2513 Metairie Road

    2019

  • AIA New Orleans / USGBC Louisiana, Excellence in Sustainability, Honorable Mention

    Southwest Pass Station

    2018

  • New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles, Best of Home, Best Architecture Firm

    2018

  • New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles, Best of Home, Best Interior Design Firm

    2015

  • Louisiana Landmarks Society, Excellence in Historic Preservation

    Il Mercato

    2015

  • AIA New Orleans, Honor Award for Architecture

    Weinstein's

    2003

Milestones

  • 2003

    WEINSTEIN’S RECEIVES THE AIA LOUISIANA HONOR AWARD. TERRI AND IAN’S FIRST COMMERCIAL PROJECT, WEINSTEIN’S SERVES AS A SYMBOL OF SIGNIFICANT TRANSFORMATION AND GROWTH.

  • 2007

    TERRI + IAN ARE DESIGN PRINCIPALS FOR PATRICK F. TAYLOR SCIENCE + TECHNOLOGY ACADEMY AND FIREKEEPERS CASINO, LATER RECEIVING AIA HONOR AWARDS. BOTH PROJECTS ESTABLISH THE ONGOING SUCCESS OF MAPPINGS AND PROCESS-DRIVEN ARCHITECTURE AS STANDARD PRACTICES FOR NANO'S DESIGN METHODOLOGY.

  • 2009

    Ian becomes Interim Director of the Center of Standardizations for USACE, overseeing the first LEED Platinum certified GSAB Hangar. Soon after, the project receives the Presidential Award.

  • 2016

    NANO is awarded first batch of municipal projects with the City of New Orleans: Youth Study Center, NOFD Headquarters, and NOFD Multi-Stations.

  • 2019

    NANO IS INVITED—AS THE FIRST ARCHITECTURE FIRM FROM THE STATE OF LOUISIANA—TO PRESENT AT THE EUROPEAN CULTURAL CENTRE’S VENICE BIENNALE / TIME SPACE EXISTENCE EXHIBITION.

  • 2019

    NANO IS NAMED AOR FOR THE NEW ORLEANS ERNEST N. MORIAL CONVENTION CENTER STAGE 1 RENOVATIONS. THE LARGEST CONTRACT EVER AWARDED TO AN SEB BY THE NEW ORLEANS EXHIBITION HALL, THIS IS A PIVOTAL MOMENT IN NANO'S GROWING PORTFOLIO AND FOR THE NEW ORLEANS COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. NANO MODIFIES THE BUSINESS LANDSCAPE FOR FUTURE SMALL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE CITY.

  • 2021

    NANO WINS THE ECC VENICE BIENNALE ARCHITECTURE AWARD FOR SUBMERGED EXPERIENCE AT THE VENICE BIENNALE / TIME SPACE EXISTENCE EXHIBITION, AND IS INVITED TO JOIN THE WORLD ARCHITECTS COMMUNITY. THIS ACCOLADE ELEVATES NANO TO THE INTERNATIONAL PLATFORM OF ARCHITECTS AND THOUGHT-LEADERS.