Profile
Founded in 2001 by partners Thomas Bercy and Calvin Chen. Bercy Chen Studio LP is an architecture and urban planning practice with design/build capabilities headquartered in Austin, Texas with offices in Taipei and Mexico City.
Bercy Chen Studio LP employs over 20 architects, designers, construction managers and craftsmen, with diverse backgrounds and experience necessary to successfully guide projects from inception to completion.
We collaborate closely with our clients, consultants and experts from a wide range of disciplines and realize innovative projects based on environmentally sustainable and financially viable business models in both public and private sectors.
Construction
As a design/build architectural firm, Bercy Chen Studio has experience taking projects from the drawing board through final occupancy. Since the beginning, we have recognized the importance of not only designing a project, but of managing and directing its construction. Our team of craftsmen include welders, painters, glass fabricators, cabinet-makers, framers, and roofers;
we are constantly expanding the areas of our expertise and developing new building systems.This design approach gives us a clear understanding of the challenges and possibilities inherent in architectural design. Because of our hands-on approach to building and our experience seeing projects through to the end, we are able to push the envelope of building systems and techniques.
The time spent overseeing the construction process help us design efficient and elegant projects, while our craftsmen in the field allow us to build innovative systems to tight tolerances. The end result of this process is a refined and highly integrated approach to design.
Sustainability
As a member of the City of Austin’s Green Building Program, Bercy Chen Studio LP places sustainability at the forefront of our design process. We approach each project holistically using sustainable systems as a building component.
Conservation of water and energy and energy production and energy storage have become important aspects of our architecture. They are also celebrated in the design and often become a major feature of many projects.
Awards
Awards & Recognition
2024, AD100 2024 Debut Honoree, Architectural Digest, USA.
2021, Arrowhead House: Golden Trezzini: Best Project of Private Residence Nominee.
2021, Foothill Residence: Austin Home & Design Award: Historical Preservation.
2019, Skylight Cinema: AIA Gulf State Design Award.
2017, Ethan’s View: The Chicago Athenaeum’s International Architecture Awards.
2017, Bold Ruler House: The Real Estate Design China Award.
2016, Edgeland House: Texas Architect Magazine, Design Awards 2016.
2016, Edgeland House: Texas Society of Architects Honor Award.
2015, Shore Vista Boat Dock: Austin Chronicle Best of 2015.
2014, Edgeland House: Architizer A+ Award Jury & Popular Winner in the Sustainability category.
2014, Sustainable Entrepreneurship Award. Stage 2, Vienna, Austria.
2013, World Architecture News 21 for 21 Award, Finalist, London, UK.
2013, Edgeland House: Fast Company. House of the year.
2012, Piamonte Development. Invited Participant, Querétaro, Mexico.
2012, Residential Architects Magazine. 15 to Watch, Washington, DC.
2010, 2nd place, Xing-Tai Master Plan Invited Competition, Hebei, China.
2010, Designer of the Year, 7th International Media Prize, Shenzen, China.
2009, Five to Watch, Form Magazine, AIA, Los Angeles, CA.
2009, Short listed (Riverview), Barbara Cappochin Prize, Padua, Italy.
2009, European Union 40 Under 40 Prize.
2009, Short listed, Mexicarte Museum.
2009, Finalist, LifeWorks Headquarters.
2008, Honorable Mention, Seoul Design Olympiad, Seoul, South Korea.
2008, Invited Participant, Design Zone Qatar, Doha, Qatar.
2008, Winner (Riverview), UTSOA Students’ Choice Award, Austin, TX.
2008, Short listed, Giorgio Armani Resort, Invitation by Emaar Properties. (Indonesia),
2008, Proposal, Green Water Redevelopment, Collaboration with Foster & Partners.
2008, Finalist, Dallas Asian American Culture Center.
2007, Finalist, First Unitarian Universalist Church, Austin, TX.
2007, Finalist, UTSOA Students’ Choice Award, Annie Residence, Austin, TX.
2009, Green Good Design Award, European Center for Architecture.
2006, Design Vanguard Award, Global Top 10 Cutting Edge Firms.
2006, Finalist, Best Plot in the World, Vienna, Austria.
2006, First Place – Asian American Resource Center Master plan Competition.
2006, Emerging Voices 2006, The Architectural League of New York.
2005, First Place Winner, Urban Reserve open national competition. Dallas, TX.
2005, Finalist, Self-Sufficient Housing, Barcelona, Spain.
Appointments
2008-2010, Austin Museum of Art, Board of Advisors, Thomas Bercy.
2008, Art in Public Places (AIPP), Advisor.
2007-2008, The City of Austin Design Commission, Commissioner, Calvin Chen.
2007, Chair of Civic Arts Committee.
2007, Create Austin Task Force, Cultural Masterplan for Austin.