Studio8 featured in Construction Today!
Forged from time-honored partnerships, Studio8 delivers commercial architecture and interior design services that connect desires with environments
For Studio8 Architects (Studio8), deep-rooted internal relationships are the true foundation of the Texas architecture and design company. Many of the firm’s six partners have known each other for 30 years and, when founding partner Milton Hime launched the business in 2003, he did so with a former colleague, the present CEO of Studio8, Lisa Cuddy. With the support of Zydeco Development, a client the pair had been collaborating with since the mid-1990s, Studio8 began its first project for the developer and has continued to grow, while retaining its familial environment and close-knit culture.
“Over the years, we were joined by more people that we’d worked with previously,” Lisa shares with Construction Today. “We all take care of each other and support each other. I think that’s what makes us different – those high trust levels.” This ethos applies to clients as well as staff. “We continue to work with Zydeco today and feel fortunate to have had that support from long-term relationships.”
The company’s integration of interior design and architecture is another key USP, as Deanna Bounds, Director of Marketing & BD, explains: “We start our projects by integrating architecture and interiors in an intentional and thoughtful way from the very beginning, whereas others might tend to push interior design to a later phase in the project. Our balance really brings everything together and helps us understand each other’s roles.”
Studio8 prides itself on close partnerships and communication, which Lisa believes is a key factor in attracting and retaining clients. “We don’t limit ourselves to one style, and we tell people that,” she highlights. “We strive to embed ourselves in our clients’ culture, understand what motivates them, go through a rigorous programming exercise with them and discover what has and hasn’t worked for them in the past. Once you dig into the specifics, that lends itself to a unique design solution. Their needs and desires for a project essentially become ours.”
Innovative ideas
Variety is said to be the spice of life – a philosophy that suits Studio8’s client portfolio, with ‘no two clients the same’, as Lisa describes: “It makes it fun! I completed a project for Ascension Rx Pharmacy Services and learned how to create a robust mail order pharmacy and distribution center in a high security environment, for instance.” The firm has multiple long-term clients alongside Zydeco Development, including the Central Texas Food Bank (formerly Capital Area Food Bank of Texas). “My career came full circle when the Central Texas Food Bank moved into a building on Zydeco Development’s donated property at MetCenter, which in turn has led to more work with the food bank,” Lisa continues. “It’s a testament to the way we take care of our clients – not only do they return, but they also refer us to other people.” Trust helps to enable better design, too. “When you establish these relationships, you feel confident suggesting more innovative designs. You can ask clients to hear you out, because they have that trust and they’re willing to try new ideas which often leads to an improved architectural product.”
Based primarily in Austin, the Central Texas Food Bank hired Studio8 for its regional expansion to Waco, rather than an architect from the area, proving the value of the relationship between both businesses. “We’ve completed the design for the architecture and interiors, and the construction is close to completion,” Lisa reveals. In addition to the food bank, Studio8 partners with several local nonprofits, which helps fuel their mission. Alongside this dedication to charitable causes, Studio8 adheres to a set of core values which it defines as its ‘North Star’ for ethical behavior and decision-making. These values comprise of commitment to craftsmanship, being genuine, persevering with tenacity, having fun and acting with integrity. “We’re all human and things don’t always run smoothly,” Lisa notes, regarding the latter core value. “But it’s important to us that everyone is candid and forthright, and if a mistake is made, we can rectify it. Transparency is vital.”
Strategic growth
Although there are six partners in the firm – three men and three women – Lisa and Deanna emphasize the strong female presence in the firm. Studio8’s Director of Interiors and Furniture, Lee Ann McClanahan, has been with the company since 2005 and focuses on furniture specifications, which Lisa describes as a unique offering. “Lee Ann is familiar with all the various furniture lines and manufacturers, and she works closely with local vendors,” says Lisa. “She is a fantastic curator. When we have control of the architecture, interior design and furniture specification, it creates a synergistic, holistic, well-thought-out design.”
Lee Ann also brings an 18-year strong relationship with Horizon Bank, which is rooted in trust, transparency, and open communication throughout each phase. Both companies are comfortable being honest with each other, whether that is refining a concept or pushing an idea further. More importantly, they are also aligned on long-term vision, resulting in a strong foundation to navigate challenges and make decisions with consistency. After having already designed new and renovated retail branches from Austin to surrounding areas, Studio8 is currently working on a build-out project for 600 West 5th Street on Level 9. Studio8 led the design of the ground floor retail and lobby interiors, including a modern teller area focused on both customer experience and efficiency. Upstairs, the Level 9 amenity space features a bar for events, a conference center and an outdoor terrace. The 36,000 square feet offices on Levels 15 and 16 bring together the bank’s lending, executive and headquarters teams in a mix of private and open workspaces. Additionally, a feature stair connects these areas, helping create a natural sense of flow and community.
Design synergy
With 2026 proving to be a busy year for Studio8, Lisa reveals she would like to hire another experienced architect after enjoying a period of steady growth. “Office space projects are making a definite comeback,” Lisa notes. Regarding current workload, Deanna adds: “Austin tends to have a heavy manufacturing semiconductor presence and we’re seeing a lot more of that. In San Antonio, I’m also seeing more opportunities in adaptive reuse projects in hospitality, retail, mixed-use facilities, restaurants and hotel renovations.”
Looking ahead to 2030, Studio8 is aiming to expand its San Antonio office, maintain presence in its current markets and shift further into the public sector. “One of our strategic goals is to continue taking our private sector experience into the higher education and government arena,” ends Deanna.
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