SO Studio

A completed project we're proud of!

In Washington, Louisiana, transformed a historic two-story commercial building into a modern boutique hotel, right in the heart of a charming small town.

This architectural gem has been revitalized to offer visitors an unforgettable experience—allowing them to stay in a piece of history that continues to thrive for years to come.

It’s Back to School time for many of the students in South Louisiana and we’re checking out one of our completed projects. This addition of three classrooms with service spaces to a former church building adds to the lower grade campus for École St-Landry, a French Immersion charter school.

The polycarbonate panels featured in the first image, stretch from floor to ceiling, illuminating the entire volume of the classroom interiors. This enhances the sense of height and expansiveness in the learning environment, encouraging the growth and development of the children who activate it.

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This project involved restoring a 200-year-old early Acadian cottage into a welcome center and museum for Carencro, Louisiana.

Preservation work included carpenter marks, peg construction, and bousillage. A new freestanding restroom facility, added at the rear, evokes the traditional cottage style with modern details.

The design team collaborated with the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to preserve key features like the front porch with its steep stair (), the small chamber on the left side of the porch (reconstructed after removal during the Victorian phase), the bousillage walls, and wood peg construction, ensuring the cottage’s historical integrity.

The site is enclosed with a cypress picket fence, creating a lighter sense of enclosure while providing security. The project includes historic landscaping and parking at the rear, featuring native plants and traditional Acadian garden elements.

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We are excited to be working on a historic preservation project at the Carencro Welcome Center with Makemade. Stay tuned for updates on this amazing restoration and showcase of Carencro's history!

In architecture design, we often use exploded images to better understand how a structure comes together - from the structure itself to the fenestration and cladding.

Our latest project, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Courthouse and Police Station in Marksville, LA, is a great example of this design approach. By exploding the design, we are able to visualize every detail and ensure a cohesive and efficient structure.

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Check out these vignettes of Sunview Manufactured Home Community, located in the South of Lafayette off of Kaliste Saloom Rd.

When we’re working in schematic designs we create experiential Quick sketches to gain a feel of walking through the space spacily by using vignettes

This past weekend, we had the opportunity to visit the Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Courthouse and Police Station job site in Marksville, LA.

In addition to our site visit, we were fortunate to also experience the Annual Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow. It was a beautiful celebration of culture and tradition.

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At SO Studio, we believe in designing with eco-friendly features in mind.

One of our favorite project features is incorporating rainwater gardens that collect water from rooftops and pass them through native swampy plants before sending it to nearby bayous and rivers.

Our rainwater gardens not only help mitigate flooding but also improve water quality in our waterways.

Join us in celebrating Earth Day by incorporating eco-friendly measures in your projects.

Photos Featured - Vermilion Lofts Downtown Lafayette

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Check out some of the potential items deisgned by Makemade that will be available for purchase at Hotel Klaus.

Did you know that Washington was a bustling steamboat town and currently every day at 6pm you can hear a slight a steam whistle blow in the town?

An updated look at the Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Courthouse and Police Station job site in Marksville, LA. The brisesoleil screen and sheetrock are up!🙌

It was a pleasure hosting members of the AIA at our Hotel Klaus job site. We were able to share the history of the building and our plans for this historic rehabilitation. We also had the opportunity to have a panel discussion as they shared insights and the significance of historic preservation projects and historic tax credits.

AIA South Louisiana Chapter

Principal Architect of SO Studio, Stephen Ortego, had the privilege of attending the 2024 AIA Leadership Summit in Washington DC his month, where he had the opportunity to engage with congresspeople and senators on the importance of architecture in building the country and beyond globally.

The two days of leadership workshops for local and state chapters proved incredibly informative and inspiring, leaving him with a renewed sense of purpose and passion for his work.

The summit showcased incredible speakers who shared insights on the future of architecture and design, allowing him to make valuable connections with other leading architects from across the United States.He is excited to continue working towards creating innovative and sustainable designs that will shape the country and the world for generations to come, expressing gratitude to the AIA for hosting such a meaningful and impactful event.

Celebrating the Groundbreaking of the Historic Rehabilitation of the old Sunset High School Building into the new upper campus for École Saint-Landry, a French immersion school in Sunset, Louisiana.

Community members and members of St. Landry Parish Schools joined us in celebration. We are excited to preserve and conduct a major rehabilitation of this historic building, to provide the opportunity for future generations to learn in a part of history. Stay tuned as we rehab this 1920’s schoolhouse.