Bio:

The great designer, Donna Kacmar, FAIA, is currently a Professor at the University of Houston where she teaches architecture design studio. Her Fisher Street House, a small 544 square foot dwelling, received a 2013 AIA Houston Design Award, and led to her first book, titled BIG Little House, published by Routledge, released in 2015. Her most recent book, Victor Lundy Artist Architect, was published in 2018 by Princeton Architectural Press. Donna is the principal of Architect Works, PLLC, Houston, Texas.

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How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?

I selected an architecture course as my first elective course in college because it was at the front of the course catalog.

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What do you do?

I teach architecture design studios, I design buildings, and I write about architecture.

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What excites you in the work you do?

I am always learning how to make spaces for living well.

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Who or what inspires you professionally?

My students!

 

What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?

Collaborating with friends on my first house and then collaborating with my husband on its new addition.

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Featured Project Name: 

Urban Recharge

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Featured Project Location: 

Houston, TX

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Featured Project Completion Date: 

2019

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Role in Featured Project: 

part of architecture team, owner, collaborator

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Featured Project Description:

This 1025 SF addition to a 23-year old townhouse re-ignites the dialog between private dwelling and community. The 15-foot wide extension respects the alternating bays of the existing structure. The addition extends both vertically and horizontally, aligning with neighboring masses, as it establishes a new open connection with the street. The desire to re-engage with the changing neighborhood, inspired by bungalow porches, creates a new “public” zone combining WORK + PLAY opportunities.

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Photography Credit:

Jon Henning