Established in Austin by Michael Hsu.
Independent editorial profile
Michael Hsu Office of Architecture
Founded in Austin
Houston office
Founded 2005
Residential
Hospitality
Architecture + interiors
A Texas architecture and interior design practice whose hospitality-led approach has shaped residences, restaurants, hotels, mixed-use districts and public spaces across Austin and Houston.
Best suited for: contemporary custom homes, hospitality and restaurant environments, adaptive reuse, mixed-use developments and projects where architecture, interiors, furniture and public-realm design need to read as one coherent experience.
At a glance
The practice was founded in Austin and maintains its principal public contact there.
Both locations are listed by the firm.
A fully integrated practice with furniture, procurement and branding capabilities on selected projects.
Also active in adaptive reuse, retail, workplace and public-realm design.
Firm verification and registration review remain in progress.
Editorial overview
Hospitality as a broader architectural lens
The practice treats comfort, arrival, material warmth, lighting and social interaction as architectural concerns rather than decorative additions. That approach is visible in restaurant and hotel work, but it also carries into homes, workplaces and mixed-use projects where interiors and public space must work together.
Recent residential recognition supports a broader portfolio
Clarksville Residence received both a 2026 Texas Society of Architects Design Award and a 2026 AIA Austin Design Award of Excellence. The result strengthens the practice’s residential case while its longer record in hospitality, adaptive reuse and public-realm work remains central to its Texas identity.
Project depth is stronger than independent firm-level data
The public portfolio is extensive, but several claims about services, leadership and older project awards are currently supported through the firm’s own website. Those records are separated from independently documented jury results and are not given the same evidence weight.
Ranking placements — 2026
#5
#1
#2
#3
Texas Architecture Index
Statewide placement for design quality, current recognition and influence on contemporary Texas urban life.
Residential Architects
Top statewide placement in the contemporary urban-residential track, supported by recent jury recognition.
Placemaking & Adaptive Reuse
Recognition for hospitality-led public realm, neighborhood-scale redevelopment and reuse projects in Austin and Houston.
Austin Residential Architects
City placement for contemporary infill residences, integrated interiors and work within established neighborhoods.
Selected projects
Clarksville Residence
Why it matters: the clearest current evidence for the practice’s residential ranking, combining architecture, interior design, furniture and detailed coordination within an established Austin neighborhood.
View official project page →Heights Mercantile
Why it matters: a neighborhood-scale reuse and public-realm project that demonstrates how the practice connects architecture, retail, landscape and pedestrian life without relying on a single freestanding object.
View official project page →South Congress Hotel
Why it matters: a defining example of the firm’s hospitality-led urban work, integrating hotel, restaurant and street-facing public space into the character of South Congress.
View official project page →Community First Tiny Victories
Why it matters: a compact residential prototype for Community First! Village that expands the practice’s portfolio beyond commercial hospitality and shows attention to dignity, storage, privacy and everyday use at a very small scale.
View official project page →Project imagery will be added only after publication rights and photography credits are confirmed.
Evidence ledger
This ledger separates independently documented jury and publication records from information reported by the practice. Grade B indicates a professional jury or regional institution; Grade C identifies firm-reported information that has not yet been independently confirmed.
| Claim | Grade | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Texas Society of Architects Design Award — Clarksville Residence | B | Texas Society of Architects | Jul. 26, 2026 |
| 2026 AIA Austin Design Award of Excellence — Clarksville Residence | B | AIA Austin | Jul. 26, 2026 |
| Community First Tiny Victories — project authorship and community-housing record | B | Texas Architect | Jul. 26, 2026 |
| Founded in 2005 as an integrated architecture and interior design practice | C | Firm studio page | Jul. 26, 2026 |
| Current principals and partners listed on the practice website | C | Firm people page | Jul. 26, 2026 |
| Clarksville Residence scope includes architecture, interior design, residential and furniture services | C | Firm project page | Jul. 26, 2026 |
| Heights Mercantile project scope and reported 2019 award record | C | Firm project page | Jul. 26, 2026 |
Read the full evidence-grade definitions
Grade A means a claim is supported by an independent national record or official registry. Grade B means it is supported by a professional jury or regional institution. Grade C means it was reported by the firm and has not yet been independently verified. View the evidence standards.
Post-cutoff development: the Texas Society of Architects announced Michael Hsu Office of Architecture as its 2026 Firm of the Year on July 16, 2026. The announcement is recorded for transparency but did not affect the current ranking positions because the edition evidence cutoff is July 13, 2026. View the announcement.
Practice information
Leadership
The practice identifies Michael Hsu, FAIA, IIDA, NOMA, and Maija Kreishman, AIA, IIDA, as principals, with Jeff Clarke and Jay Colombo, AIA, LEED AP, listed as partners. These current roles are reported by the firm and remain subject to periodic source review.
Licensure and registration
Registration review in progress. Texas business-registration information is being checked against the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners registry. Registration confirms legal standing to practice and is not an editorial endorsement.
Services and specialties
Custom HomesHospitalityInterior ArchitectureCommercial ArchitectureAdaptive Reuse
Considering Michael Hsu Office of Architecture for a project?
Review the practice’s official portfolio or submit a project brief to compare firms with documented experience relevant to your location, project type and desired level of architecture-and-interiors integration.
Introductions and referral inquiries do not affect ranking positions or evidence grades.
Related research and rankings
Profile changelog
- Profile structure, project selection, evidence ledger and client guidance revised. Sources rechecked; edition evidence cutoff unchanged.
- Initial editorial profile and ranking placements recorded.