Natalye Appel + Associates Architects is a small, collaborative partnership with projects ranging from civic, institutional, commercial and art-related facilities to a large and varied body of residential architecture.
Since its inception in 1987, the firm has achieved significant national and international recognition for its primarily Texas-based work. We are committed to client-focused process and site-specific design excellence.
Natalye L. Appel, FAIA, LEED AP
Principal
Natalye Appel established the firm in 1987 following graduation from Rice University and the University of Pennsylvania. She has complimented her professional career with a commitment to education, teaching and lecturing at universities across Texas. Demonstrating a commitment to the environment and the community, she is a US Green Building Council LEED Accredited Professional, and serves on the board of the Hermann Park Conservancy. In 2000, in recognition of her accomplishments in the profession, Ms. Appel was elevated to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects.
Stuart G. Smith, AIA
Partner
Stuart Smith joined Natalye Appel + Associates Architects soon after graduating from Rice University in 1997, and became a Partner in 2007. He is actively involved in all phases of projects from Programming and Schematic Design through Construction Administration. His varied experience in the office includes several award winning residential, commercial, institutional, educational, and civic projects. He also leads the office's integration of new technologies, including Building Information Modeling (BIM) and web-based collaboration.
Stephanie L. Millet, AIA
Partner
Stephanie Millet joined Natalye Appel + Associates Architects in 2005 and became a Partner in 2010. A graduate of Rice University and Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, Stephanie brings extensive experience in residential design, both new construction and renovation.
Collaborators
Donna J. Kacmar, FAIA, LEED AP
Sustainable Design and Materials Research
Donna Kacmar, FAIA, a LEED Accredited Professional since 2003, is dedicated to developing well designed solutions that are straightforward, cost effective and environmentally responsible. In addition to architectural practice, she is a tenured professor and Technical Coordinator and Sustainable Materials Library Director at The University of Houston College of Architecture. Donna and Natalye have collaborated on award-winning projects since 1992.
Donna was elected into the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects in 2009, and received the American Institute of Architects 2004 Young Architects Award. These awards recognized her design work, her teaching, and her participation in many service organizations. Donna has served on the board of the Houston AIA, the Avenue CDC, the Rice Design Alliance, and now serves on the board of the Houston Architecture Foundation.
Lee S. Olvera
Art Space and Graphic Design
Lee Olvera began his career at Natalye Appel and Associates, working on several award-winning projects from 1991 to 1997 and has recently rejoined the firm as Art Director and is also the Director of Communications for Academic Programs and Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Southern California.
From 2000 to 2009 Lee was Senior Design Associate at Frederick Fisher and Partners, Architects, participating in the design of a diverse range of projects from art-related spaces such as the Cotsen Textile Traces Collection, and the College Arts Complex at Oberlin College, to civic projects including the Annenberg Community Beach Club at Santa Monica State Beach. He is also the principal of OlveraWorks, a design and research practice interested in exploring a multi-disciplinary approach to design, pursuing projects that allow a process that challenges and reinterprets conventional boundaries between architecture, landscape architecture, art, and graphic design.
James Ray, AIA
Systems and Technology Coordination
James Ray is an award-winning architect specializing in design and construction of complex institutional buildings, for clients such as Houston Public Library and Rice University. With a detailed and proactive approach to building systems identification, regulatory compliance and aesthetic integration, Jim utilizes the power of Building Information Modeling software to construct accurate models of all building systems. This approach promotes strong, clear, collaboration between clients, architects, and consultants, resulting in projects that are technologically sound and energy efficient as well as beautiful.
Currently a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Houston College of Architecture, Jim is on the UH advisory team developing the Master Plan for the UH Arts District. Recent professional projects include a 75,000 SF mixed-use mid-rise building in Midtown, the LEED Gold Certified Oak Forest Library, and numerous commissions at Rice University.