3. martin barrera, architect
3714 Robinson Avenue | Austin, Texas 78722 | [p] 512.494.1545 [m] 512.740.4417 | martin@mb-architect.com
Martin Barrera, Architect offers a broad spectrum of architectural services, with a focus on Sustainable Design, and Urban
Redevelopment. His core belief is that clients deserve the highest value with regard to architectural design and creativity. He strives
to develop innovative solutions that are beautiful, durable, environmentally sustainable, and socially responsible, and that surpass the
expectations of his clients’ imaginations.
His design approach is a negotiation between the site, the client’s program, the context, and nature. He begins each project without
predetermined aesthetic forms, rather he lets the client’s program and the context of the site form the building through a delicate
balance of contemporary and vernacular inspired sustainable design.
His education and professional experience have been very diverse, a characteristic his clients find incredibly valuable. His
undergraduate education at The University of Texas at San Antonio was technical with an emphasis on design for the region while his
graduate education at The University of Texas at Austin was theoretical with a global perspective.
He is experienced in designing, presenting, documenting, and administering the construction contract for a variety of building types
such as civic, commercial, educational, healthcare, retail, recreational, and environmentally sustainable projects.
4. martin barrera, architect
3714 Robinson Avenue | Austin, Texas 78722 | [p] 512.494.1545 [m] 512.740.4417 | martin@mb-architect.com
Professional Texas Board of Architectural Examiners | Registration #18559
Qualifications National Council of Architectural Registration Boards | Certification #58929
United States Green Building Council | LEED Accredited Professional
Education University of Texas at Austin | Master of Architecture | 2001
O’Neil Ford Scholarship Recipient | 2001
University of Texas at San Antonio | Bachelor of Science in Architecture | 1997
International Scholarship | Istituto Universitario di Architettura di Venezia | 1997
International Scholarship | Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico | 1996
Professional Martin Barrera, Architect | Austin, Texas | Principal Architect | founded 2006
Experience Childcare Learning Center | Escuelita del Alma | Austin, Texas
Gus Garcia Park Competition | Austin Parks and Recreation Department | Austin, Texas
Furman + Keil Architects | Austin, Texas | Project Architect | 2005-2006
Williamson County Professional Building | Georgetown, Texas
Blanco River House | Wimberley, Texas
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department | Austin, Texas | Staff Architect | 2002-2005
Sheldon Lake Environmental Learning Center | Houston, Texas
Fulton Mansion Visitor Center | Fulton, Texas
TAG International | Austin, Texas | Architectural Intern/Designer | 1998-2002
Mission Public Safety Facility | Mission, Texas
American Bank of Texas | Lakeway, Texas
References David Perry | Senior Project Manager | TPWD | 512.389.4934
Jeff Kester | Project Manager | TPWD | 512.389.8369
Armandina Flores | Director | Escuelita del Alma | 512.474.4702
5.
6. american bank of texas
Lakeway, Texas | Rollingwood, Texas
Owner: American Bank of Texas, N.A.
Location: Lakeway, Texas | Rollingwood, Texas
Description: Distinctive architectural solutions for two dramatically different branch bank locations with unique programmatic
requirements and contextual environments each conveying an image of stability, strength, and commitment while creating a warm,
inviting experience for visitors and employees.
The Lakeway branch bank was designed with the Texas Hill Country context in mind and to create a prominent image in a new
market.
The Rollingwood branch bank was designed with the modern image of the city in mind and to create a contemporary image of casual,
high tech banking.
Construction Cost: $3,500,000 combined
Year Completed: 2002
Role: Project and Design Architect while employed at TAG International. Responsibilities included programming schematic design,
stakeholder meetings, communication with the Bank Staff, and Bank Management.
12. fulton mansion visitor center
P.O. Box 1859 | Fulton, Texas 78358
Owner: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Location: Fulton, Texas
Description: Designed to provide an interpretation center for the existing Fulton Mansion, a rare coastal South Texas example of a
circa 1870’s high-style Victorian home integral to the history and culture of the community. The visitor center provides offices for the
historic site staff, a permanent gallery for historical and cultural exhibits, and a multi-purpose space to provide hands-on educational
activities for visitors. The sustainable building features include recycled brick, fly ash concrete, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
certified lumber, and recycled oil-field pipe.
Construction Cost: $900,000 estimated construction budget
Year Completed: 2005
Role: Project and Design Architect while employed at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Responsibilities included programming
schematic design, fundraising presentations, stakeholder meetings, communication with the Friends of Fulton Mansion, a major
fundraiser for the construction of the visitor center, and coordination with TXDOT, the administrator of the federal grant.
16. texas freshwater fisheries center
5550 FM 2495 | Athens, Texas 75752
Owner: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Location: Athens, Texas
Construction Cost: $1,600,000 estimated construction budget
Year Completed: 2004
Description: The Education Center at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center provides visitation and outdoor education at the site of
a production fish hatchery. The Education Center was designed to provide aquatic education experiences for school, club and scout
groups, and an entertaining visitor experience that promotes freshwater sport fishing and the enhancement, conservation and
stewardship of aquatic resources.
Role: Project and Design Architect while employed at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Responsibilities included programming
schematic design, fundraising presentations, and stakeholder meetings.
20. gus garcia park ideas competition
1101 East Rundberg | Austin, Texas 78753
Owner: Austin Parks and Recreation Department
Location: Austin, Texas
Description: Selected as the second place finalist, this competition entry was designed to honor the life and achievements of Gus
Garcia by implementing an architecture reflective of the principles that shaped his life and career. Located in the northeast Austin
neighborhood of Windsor Hills, this park is in an area with great environmental and social risk and in great need of outdoor
recreational and educational opportunities.
A collaborative project with Dobie Middle School is proposed to plant a radial array of trees starting at the lowest elevation indicated in
plan. Each year a row of trees will be planted at a successively higher elevation until the trees have filled the radial pattern from the
recreation center towards the north.
A collaborative effort between the community is proposed to construct, plant, and harvest crops at a community garden. A small
pavilion straddling the creek will serve as a laboratory and workshop supporting both science and agricultural activities. During
harvest times the pavilion will be also be used as a farmer’s market and to promote cultural awareness, and environmental activism.
A hike and bike trail constructed of decomposed granite will connect surrounding families to the amenities at Gus Garcia Park via
improved existing foot paths. A series of open gates, many of which exist, but are mostly locked or inoperable will provide familiar
access points to the park in an effort to capitalize on the citizens’ familiarity with impromptu entrances and the existing paths of the
parks.
Construction Cost: $2,500,000 estimated construction budget
Year Completed: 2007
Role: Project Architect for the competition entry and co-designer with Veronica Castro de Barrera
21. gus garcia park competition | second place finalist | austin parks and recreation department | austin, texas
22. gus garcia park competition | second place finalist | austin parks and recreation department | austin, texas
23.
24. escuelita del alma learning center
1710 East Second Street | Austin, Texas 78702
Owner: Escuelita del Alma
Location: Austin, Texas
Description: Escuelita del Alma provides a nurturing, caring, dual-language learning environment for pre-school age children whose
majority of parents work and/or live in the Central Business District of Austin.
The intent of this redevelopment plan was to preserve the existing masonry portion of the building facing East Second Street for
future reuse as 4,800 s.f. of the proposed childcare learning center. The existing masonry walls and foundation were to be reused to
the maximum extent possible. Two new buildings approximately 4,325 s.f. in total building area were designed to complete the
required building area for the childcare learning center. The arrangement of the new buildings relative to each other and the existing
building form a courtyard playground so that all classrooms have views to the courtyard playground and natural light and views to the
street. The existing masonry portion of the building is oriented optimally to receive natural day-lighting and natural ventilation and this
theme will extend to the design and construction of the new buildings. It is the intent to provide a safe, healthy environment to
promote the educational program established by Escuelita del Alma.
Construction Cost: $1,500,000 estimated construction budget
Year Completed: 2007
Role: Project and Design Architect. Responsibilities included programming schematic design, fundraising presentations, and
stakeholder meetings.
30. sheldon lake environmental learning center
15315 Beaumont Highway | Houston, Texas 77049
Owner: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Location: Houston, Texas
Description: The entire Sheldon Lake Environmental Learning Center project included: (a) Infrastructure: underground water,
wastewater, electric and telecommunications utilities; (b) Pond orientation building with exhibits; (c) Pond plaza with restrooms and
exhibits; (d) Pond learning stations with fishing dock, boardwalks, aquatic laboratories and pavilion; and (e) prairie, woodland and
wetland restoration.
The Architecture component under my responsibility was (c) the Pond Plaza, the gateway to the student learning and discovery
experience. The Pond Plaza provides a place for orientation to the diverse plant and animal wildlife in the 24 ponds which are
remnants of a 1950s fish hatchery. Outdoor exhibits, an observation deck, an overlook, restrooms and a miniature wetland are part of
the visitors' educational experience at the Pond Plaza. The sustainable building features include recycled brick and concrete, fly ash
concrete, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified lumber, solar hot water and recycled oil-field pipe.
Construction Cost: $600,000 out of a total project budget of $2,580,000
Year Completed: 2005
Role: Project Architect while employed at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Responsibilities included design and construction
documents, value engineering, construction contract administration, and USGBC LEED Silver Certification submittal preparation.
36. housing for hurricane victims
Gulfway Drive | Port Arthur, Texas 77640
Owner: Texas Low Income Housing Information Service
Location: Port Arthur, Texas
Description: This is a call to action to house hurricane victims! To house the human race is an honorable pursuit. These fellow citizens
are victims of a natural disaster and need immediate shelter. Our design intent honors the victims by pursuing a timely approach to a
timeless design: THE BOX. Our design is practical, affordable, sustainable and beautiful. U.S. Ports are filled with surplus, empty,
shipping containers. We propose to reclaim these containers and convert them into Inter-modal Steel Building Units - ISBUs. It’s a
responsible and practical method of sustainable design for permanent emergency housing. The design consists of modular 8’ wide x
20’ long x 9’-6” high heavy-gauge steel containers that will be connected horizontally and stacked vertically creating safe balanced
spaces while shaping neighborhoods artfully. The module is transportable by truck, train, and ship. These boxes can withstand the
climatic stresses of high-wind forces. They’re designed to endure extreme maritime conditions similar to our current context of the Gulf
of Mexico region. Strategic openings have been cut and the steel re-used in other parts to create
awnings, and window shading. Light and air will be invited into the house through these openings. The steel walls will be covered with
a ceramic insulation coating and finished with stucco. The helical pier foundation will be sized and placed to secure the structure to
the site for the present and future growth.
Construction Cost: $75,000 estimated construction budget
Year Completed: 2008
Role: Project Architect for the competition entry and co-designer with Veronica Castro de Barrera
37. housing for hurricane victims | texas low income housing information service | port arthur, texas
38. housing for hurricane victims | texas low income housing information service | port arthur, texas
39. housing for hurricane victims | texas low income housing information service | port arthur, texas
40. housing for hurricane victims | texas low income housing information service | port arthur, texas
