HUGHES ROWELL DESIGN DEPT is an architecture studio in Houston, Texas. Founded in 2018 with the belief that architecture should be collaborative, responsive, and responsible - we specialize in modern residential and commercial projects.
Eric Hughes, AIA
Eric Hughes hails from small town NE, a burgeoning metropolis of 1000 where he learned how to mutton bust and raise a pet buffalo. After pursuing architecture at University of Nebraska Lincoln, he made his way to Houston in 2004 to attain a Master’s of Architecture at Rice University. In 2018, he co-founded HR Design Dept, a Houston-based practice known for custom residential and small commercial projects requiring a high level of design sensitivity.
He was project manager at Content Architecture for six years, managing many projects from schematic design through construction. Notably, he oversaw the design and construction of several award winning projects including the Kipling Residence, Paloma Nail Salon, and Waverly Residence. Eric led the design of the Crestview Residence which won an AIA design award and was featured in Dwell magazine. He places great value on the unique relationship that forms between the architect and project owner, and is honored to have sustained friendships from a number of these past projects.
Eric is currently serving on the MD Anderson Family YMCA Board. On weekends, you’ll likely find Eric outside with his son Clark and wife Emily, or taking the opportunity to get his hands dirty with landscaping, woodworking, and home renovation projects.
Heather Rowell, AIA RID
Heather Rowell’s design experience includes residential projects, retail, large scale hospitality projects, and interior upfits. She was a Principal of award winning Content Architecture in Houston for 7.5 years before co-founding HR Design Dept. Prior to moving to Houston, Heather gained extensive experience in educational facility design as a project manager for several public schools in North Carolina. She holds a Master of Architecture degree from Rice University and a Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture from North Carolina State University.
Heather has taught graduate design studios at the Rice University School of Architecture and the University of Houston College of Architecture and Design. She was elected as the first Chair of the AIA Houston Women in Architecture Committee in 2017. An Executive Board member of the Rice Design Alliance, Heather is also actively involved in the Rice School of Architecture Mentorship Program (RAMP), the TxA Professional Development Task Force, and is an executive member of the North Carolina State University Design Leaders Council.
Heather compliments her architectural career with a passion for graphic design and printmaking; Her prints have been exhibited in North Carolina, Texas, and California.
David Schneider
David earned dual undergraduate degrees in architecture and philosophy from the University of Colorado Boulder, and a Master of Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin, where he was awarded the Oglesby Traveling Fellowship. The fellowship enabled him to study light and atmosphere in Cistercian monasteries across southern France.
Before joining HRDD, David worked at award winning practices in New York and New Orleans at a range of scales. He has also served as Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of New Mexico and as an Adjunct Instructor at Tulane University.
PAST COLLABORATORS:
Gail Chen, Assoc AIA
Justin Fan
Lizzie Marrin
Marcel Merwin, AIA
Alex Warr, Assoc AIA