Bercy Chen Studio LP is an architecture & urban planning firm with design/build capabilities based in Austin, Texas founded in 2001 by partners Thomas Bercy and Calvin Chen.

Bercy Chen Studio LP is committed to collaborating with clients in identifying design solutions and planning strategies to create innovative designs based on environmentally sustainable and financially viable business models in both the public and private sector. Having experience as a design/build operation, the firm’s first hand knowledge of construction & finance is crucial in ensuring successful project implementation. The firm is a member of the City of Austin’s Green Building Program and USGBC with certified 3 Star projects.

Thomas is from Belgium and Calvin is from Taiwan by way of Australia; the partners’ European and Asian backgrounds form a design philosophy of unique perspectives. The work is influenced by vernacular precedents from various cultures- whether Islamic, Indian, African or pre-columbian, while maintaining respect for the particular contemporary contextual conditions.

Due to this unique approach, the work has received national and international attention. Bercy Chen Studio won the prestigious “Emerging Voices” prize from the Architectural League of New York in 2006. Every year the League selects 7 of the most innovative designers from Europe and North America for this award. In the same year the firm was profiled in Architectural Record’s December 2006 “Design Vanguard” award issue, selected as one of top 10 emerging design firms in the world.

Despite their international achievements, Calvin & Thomas remain active participants of the local community. Calvin serves on the City of Austin’s Design Commission and participated on several initiatives, including the “Create Austin” Cultural Masterplanning project. Both he and Thomas serve on the board of advisors for the Austin Museum of Art.

In 2012 the firm announced an expansion into Mexico, with David Potes at the helm of Bercy Chen Studio’s offices in Monterrey.

Dan Loe has been with Bercy Chen Studio since 2008. In addition to design, Dan manages the logistics of construction and is involved with project procurement and management. He has extensive project experience, which includes site planning, new construction, and revitalization projects. Early in Dan’s career he worked on the Eurasia Tower, the third tallest structure in Moscow at the time, while concurrently working with NYC Landmark Preservation Commission on a variety of projects including a feasibility study to restore Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic Guggenheim Museum. Dan holds a BA from the University of Minnesota and an MA from the University of Texas at Austin. 

Daniel Arellano joined Bercy Chen Studio in 2009. His work with the company is broad having experience in both commercial and residential projects. His expert skills in 3D modeling systems and advanced parametric designs led him to become the head BIM specialist at Bercy Chen Studio. He also has extensive knowledge in the field as construction manager having recently completed a single family residence in Westlake. Daniel holds a BA from the University of Arizona and a Post Professional degree from the University of Texas at Austin. His Master’s thesis focused on researching advance material technology and fabrication systems. 

Travis Lucy joined Bercy Chen Studio as a Project Architect & Construction Manager in 2013. With 15+ years in the profession, Travis has amassed experience in a broad range of project types, including higher education, religious, hospitality, multi-family residential, single-family residential, office, and retail. Prior to joining Bercy Chen Studio, Travis worked for award-winning practices in Texas and California. He holds a B.E.D. from Texas A&M University, an MA from the Southern California Institute of Architecture, and is licensed in the state of Texas. 

Joshua Mackley joined Bercy Chen Studio in 2014 following his role as project director at Morris Adjmi Architects in New York City. His previous experience includes work at Asymptote Architecture in New York, Studio Ian+ and Fuksas Architetto in Rome, and Studio Agoos/Lovera in Philadelphia. Joshua’s projects have covered a wide range of type and scale, from a winning competition entry for an airport terminal in Shenzhen, China to a single-family residence in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Joshua obtained his BA from Ohio State University and his MA from the University of Pennsylvania. 

David Potes had previous experience with GLR Arquitectos and Vidal Arquitectos and now heads Bercy Chen Studio’s office in Monterrey, as part of the firm’s strategy to increase its commercial presence in Mexico. He studied architecture at the ITESM in Monterrey, Mexico where in 2008, was awarded first place (office buildings category) for the state of Nuevo León’s first Student Biennale and second place (student commercial building category) in the International Design Awards in Los Angeles. 

Brad Purrington is the building systems engineer instrumental in formulating Bercy Chen Studio’s ideal of a holistic strategy in sustainable building systems. His research includes using swimming pools as a heat sink to aid climate-control and growing strawberries in a self-irrigating vertical garden. When not saving the world one holistic building system at a time, Brad enjoys panning for gold in the waters of the American Southwest.