Studio
Our role is not to impose, but to cultivate.
We believe architecture resonates when we can identify the patterns intrinsic to the land, and to the life that will be lived there, and weave them together in such a way that yields something else entirely:
architecture that is as much a portrait of a place as of the people within.
Based in Austin, Texas, Ryan Street Architects has served select residential and commercial clients since 2001, designing celebrated spaces that span from the chiseled landscapes of the Hill Country to the intimate courtyards of coastal Spain.
At the heart of our approach is a desire to elevate the human experience through richly contextual spaces that bridge the natural vernacular of an environment with the wisdom of the past and the serendipity of the present, that respond fully to the needs and desires of those who will reside there, and that resonate with an elegance, permanence, and authenticity that is testament to an inclusive process and an exacting standard.
Ryan Street
President
Melinda Lehman
Chief Operating Officer
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Ryan Street
President
Start Date at RSA
August 2001
School
Texas Tech University, 1998
Degree
Master of Architecture
Interests & Inspiration
I love spending time with my family and traveling to places that inspire me.
When did your passion for architecture begin?
Growing up, my mother Shanny Lott attended the College of Fine Arts at The University of Texas and her passion for creativity in every form was woven into the fabric of our family, so early on I was frequently occupied designing forts and gathering the materials to build them. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t busy designing something or taking some complex object apart just to figure out how to put it back together.
Melinda Lehman
Chief Operating Officer
Start Date at RSA
January 2020
School
University of Illinois, 1986
Degree
Bachelor of Science, Architecture
Interests & Inspiration
Everything!
When did your passion for architecture begin?
When I realized I was terrible at computer science.
Eran Montoya, AIA
Associate
Jeremy Ristau
Project Manager
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Eran Montoya, AIA
Associate
Start Date at RSA
August 2004
School
Rice University, 1995
Degree
Master of Architecture
Interests & Inspiration
The world around us.
When you aren’t designing, what are you doing?
Contemplating. Exploring. Fixing things.
Jeremy Ristau
Project Manager
Start Date at RSA
November 2004
School
Texas A&M University, 2000
Degree
Bachelor of Environmental Design
Interests & Inspiration
Family. Coffee. Tomfoolery.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
Helping people turn the home of their dreams into a reality. Seeing their excitement build as we work through the design, and having it culminate with walking through the completed project makes each experience unique and enjoyable.
Zach Moss, AIA
Senior Project Designer
Ashley Lohmann
Director of Marketing
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Zach Moss, AIA
Senior Project Designer
Start Date at RSA
April 2008
School
Lousiana Tech University, 2005
Degree
Bachelor of Architecture
Projects
Interests & Inspiration
Crawfish boils. Southern Mexico. Fishing. Traveling with family.
What are you curious about right now?
I have always been interested in things of quality, whether that is everyday items, furniture, arts/crafts or architecture. At RSA we are afforded the opportunity to help clients strive to achieve high quality, timeless architecture. Working as a team with the client, design team and skilled trades, it’s exciting to see these projects come to fruition.
Ashley Lohmann
Director of Marketing
Start Date at RSA
February 2013
School
Southeast Missouri State University, 2010
Degree
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design
Interests & Inspiration
Podcasts. My little ones. The perfect latte. Binging TV.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
Being surrounded by so much creativity on a daily basis and watching a home go from pen and paper to brick and mortar. I love being involved in photographing a home—it feels like the final step and brings the whole process full circle.
John Burgess, AIA
Project Architect
Randy Abernathy
Project Manager
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John Burgess, AIA
Project Architect
Start Date at RSA
April 2013
School
Tulane University, 1996
Degree
Master of Architecture
Projects
Interests & Inspiration
Live music. New restaurants. Photography.
When you aren’t designing, what are you doing?
Planning my next vacation. I enjoy travelling to France to practice my French, or hitting the ski slopes to practice not falling.
Randy Abernathy
Project Manager
Start Date at RSA
June 2014
School
Andrews University, 2008
Degree
Master of Architecture
Interests & Inspiration
My children. Traveling with family. Coaching Little League.
When did your passion for architecture begin?
I grew up in a family of tradesmen, so at a young age I had already learned about framing, hanging drywall, and flooring. In high school I took a drafting class and was hooked. I have always enjoyed thinking about all the possibilities in home design and all the different aspects of bringing that design to life. How a home comes together is truly something.
Jacob Narvaez
Project Manager
Robert Ward
Project Manager
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Jacob Narvaez
Project Manager
Start Date at RSA
June 2018
School
University of Texas at Arlington, 2015
Degree
Master of Architecture
Interests & Inspiration
Music. Reading. Gym time.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
Taking part in helping someone realize their vision, and the further knowledge gained from the process each project entails.
Robert Ward
Project Manager
Start Date at RSA
October 2018
School
University of Texas at Austin, 1998
Degree
Master of Architecture
Interests & Inspiration
Performing with other musicians. Road trips. Cats.
What’s something you’d like people to know about your field?
Being an architect is not as glamorous as Mike Brady makes it look, but it’s 1000 times more rewarding.
Jennifer Sissom
Lead Interior Designer
David Costea
Project Manager
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Jennifer Sissom
Lead Interior Designer
Start Date at RSA
February 2019
School
Oklahoma State University, 2016
Degree
Bachelor of Science in Interior Design
Interests & Inspiration
Rainy days & coffee. Painting. Jazz music. Switzerland. Milieu Magazine. My big fluffy puppy.
What are you curious about right now?
I’m curious about the individual aspects that make a house unique and special, and how they come together to create a home. The quaint, quiet spaces, the small personal touches, and the distinct pieces that bring joy. I strive to have an understanding of those who will occupy the space and how all of these things will come together and reflect them, because a home is more than just a space- it is a place of comfort and renewal.
David Costea
Project Manager
Start Date at RSA
November 2020
School
University of Illinois-Chicago
Degree
Bachelor of Architecture
Interests & Inspiration
French press coffee. Cars. Boston Red Sox. Single malt scotch.
When you aren’t designing, what are you doing?
Fishing as much as I can.
Adam Kehr
Project Designer
Justin Dill, AIA
Project Designer
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Adam Kehr
Project Designer
Start Date at RSA
April 2021
School
Syracuse University, 1997
Degree
Bachelor of Architecture
Justin Dill, AIA
Project Designer
Start Date at RSA
May 2021
School
University of Colorado, 2010
Degree
Bachelor of Environmental Design
Interests & Inspiration
Carpentry and craft. Heritage footwear. Long-term thinking. Mechanical watches. Nature. Greene and Greene, Sigurd Lewerentz, Carlos Scarpa, and Peter Zumthor.
What are you curious about right now?
Lately, I have been curious about the provenance of the materials we build with. I find myself wanting to learn where things come from, how it is made or mined, and what are its inherent characteristics and intrinsic qualities. Everything has a history, and a story to tell, from the coffee we drink in the morning, to the denim we wear, to the stone we knead our bread upon. I want to understand how this knowledge works alongside craft and construction to create truly great architecture.
Kip Townsend
Design Manager
Jenna Patino
Procurement Coordinator
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Kip Townsend
Design Manager
Start Date at RSA
May 2021
School
Oklahoma State University, 1987
Degree
Bachelor of Architecture
Interests & Inspiration
Art & Science. Hospitality. Family. Digging & Planting. Mountains of Colorado.
When did your passion for architecture begin?
I have always loved art and drawing but the defining moment came in 4th grade – It was between Advertising and Architecture in a career study and Architecture won out when I learned it did not require a second language.
Jenna Patino
Procurement Coordinator
Start Date at RSA
August 2021
School
Texas State University, 2017
Degree
Bachelor of Applied Arts, Fashion Merchandising
Interests & Inspiration
Family. Fresh cut flowers. Traveling. Photography.
When you aren’t designing, what are you doing?
Traveling, spending time with friends and family, enjoying the lake, taking the pup for a walk.
Beth Servant
Office Manager
Ashley Tuck
Interiors Project Coordinator
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Beth Servant
Office Manager
Start Date at RSA
August 2021
School
University of Colorado at Boulder
Interests & Inspiration
My perfect pup. Yoga. Vegan tamales.
What do you like most about Austin?
I love being around the friendly and creative people that are drawn to this city. The open, green spaces and the array of outdoor activities we are lucky to choose from every weekend made moving here an easy decision. The live music scene is an added, welcome bonus!
Ashley Tuck
Interiors Project Coordinator
Start Date at RSA
August 2021
School
University of Texas at Austin, 2010
Degree
Rhetoric and Writing
Interests & Inspiration
Travelling. My family. Running. Cooking. Longhorn Football.
When you aren’t designing, what are you doing?
Chasing after my two kids, exploring new restaurants around town, and searching for design inspiration.
Heather Compton
Accounting and Payroll Manager
Ryan M. Perstac, AIA, NCARB
Project Architect
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Heather Compton
Accounting and Payroll Manager
Start Date at RSA
October 2021
Interests & Inspiration
Family. Hiking. Lake time. Traveling. Homeless Outreach.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
As the Accounting & Payroll Manager for RSA my job is very rewarding, and my favorite aspects of my job are AP, AR, and payroll. We have such a creative and talented team of architects, interior designers, and office professionals! Every project is intricately designed, and our team truly understands our client’s vision.
Ryan M. Perstac, AIA, NCARB
Project Architect
Start Date at RSA
October 2021
School
University of Arizona, 2002
Degree
Bachelor of Architecture
Interests & Inspiration
My wife and two cats. Restoring our mid-century home. The Sea Ranch.
What’s something you’d like people to know about your field?
Architecture involves design and construction, but there is so much more: the experience of compelling interior and exterior spaces, the landscape, place, comfort, memories, and family. I find great joy and satisfaction in working to enhance the lifestyle of residents and their guests.
Sara Sigurdardottir
Production Designer
Colin Slaughter
Senior Project Manager
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Sara Sigurdardottir
Production Designer
Start Date at RSA
February 2022
School
University of Greenwich, London, 2008
Degree
Bachelor of Architecture
Interests & Inspiration
Exploring the world with my family and friends. Saying yes to invites and adventures. Discovering countries, cultures, and customs.
When did your passion for architecture begin?
As a kid I discovered architecture plans of our family’s townhome, and I started making my own house plans- creating stories of the people and families who might live there. Having a sibling in a wheelchair showed me that the world had obstacles for many people and I wanted to attempt to improve for those who could not. Architecture gives you the chance to explore, create, and make the world just a little bit more beautiful.
Colin Slaughter
Senior Project Manager
Start Date at RSA
March 2022
Alane Ebner
Project Architect
Christine Cagliostro, AIA, RID
Project Architect
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Alane Ebner
Project Architect
Start Date at RSA
August 2022
School
Rice University
Degree
Master of Architecture
Christine Cagliostro, AIA, RID
Project Architect
Start Date at RSA
November 2022
School
University of Texas at Arlington, 2013
Degree
Master of Architecture
Interests & Inspiration
Practicing Yoga and Pilates. Kayaking on Lake Travis. Spending time outdoors with my husband and two Weimaraners.
What are you curious about?
At the start of a project, I am curious about the local materials, traditional building methods, and context of the place. I am always interested in understanding what makes people feel at ease in their environment, and working with the clients and craftspeople to produce thoughtful projects with an attention to detail.
Alexa McGoey
Junior Interior Designer
Hannah Mangum
Junior Interior Designer
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Alexa McGoey
Junior Interior Designer
Start Date at RSA
December 2022
School
University of Wisconsin Madison, 2020
Degree
Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture
Interests & Inspiration
Yoga. Walking around Town Lake. Grabbing coffee or enjoying happy hour with friends.
When did your passion for architecture begin?
I drew my first floor plan when I was 7 years old- it was my childhood bedroom! I even drew an elevation with callouts to selections and material finishes. Thankful to now be in a career where I get paid to do the things 7 year old me thought was fun.
Hannah Mangum
Junior Interior Designer
Start Date at RSA
January 2023
School
University of Central Arkansas
Degree
Bachelors of Science, Interior Design
Katy Sielen
Project Architect
Chris Curtis, AIA
Project Architect
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Katy Sielen
Project Architect
Start Date at RSA
February 2023
School
Washington University in St. Louis, 2005
Degree
Bachelor of Arts in Architecture
Chris Curtis, AIA
Project Architect
Start Date at RSA
March 2023
School
Kansas State University, 2011
Degree
Master of Architecture
Open positions
Please send résumés, portfolios and references to rsacareers@ryanstreet.com.
No phone calls, please.
Project Architect
We are seeking a Project Architect who has a strong design sensibility, is detailed oriented, and is skilled at document production, consultant coordination, and technical project development and delivery. The successful candidate will lead document production on multiple high-end/custom hotel/resort, hospitality, and residential projects on a daily basis, provide technical oversight and coordination of the project team to ensure task completion, and ensure that our high standards of service are consistently delivered. The role will involve developing documents from conceptual / schematic design through construction documents, including preparation of design details and specifications, providing construction observation services, and assisting in the preparation of estimated budgets and schedules. Assist in building the hospitality and hotel efforts in the firm.
The ideal candidate excels at developing design sketches into a quality set of coordinated construction documents while maintaining design intent, communicating effectively, and solving problems creatively and confidently.