Byron J. Mouton, AIA
principal
Byron J. Mouton is an established architect, educator, New Orleans native, and alumnus of Tulane University. He has traveled a path from New Orleans through Harvard’s Graduate School of Design to professional practice in Central Europe, and eventually back at home. He now finds himself committed to building his locally-based practice BILD Design, in conjunction with his academic role as Professor of Practice at Tulane’s School of Architecture and Director of the school’s design/build program URBANbuild. From 2011-2014 he served as one of the founding endowed Social Entrepreneurship Professors in the universtiy-wide program in Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship (SISE).
With more than 20 years of experience in the fields of architecture and construction, several award-winning projects, and exposure in national and international publications, Byron is committed to critical assignments that exemplify a collaborative planning approach and a dedication to the regional remediation of New Orleans. As a local, Byron understands the impact of pre-Katrina problems on a post-Katrina world and the challenges set forth. The comprehensive nature of such tasks fuels his investigations in pursuit of progressive contextual infill possibilities that encourage and advance the revitalization of New Orleans’ urban fabric. Over the past 20 years, as Principal of BILD, Byron has explored alternative models for affordable housing within the context of the city’s sometimes peculiar setting, and he continues to offer the city progressive options for domestic growth in the face of on-going challenges.
Byron has been an invited studio critic and speaker at a number of universities, nationally and internationally. He often volunteers his time to participate on local panels related to New Orleans’ built environment, and was actively involved in the 2011 National American Institute of Architects Convention hosted in New Orleans.
hugh jackson
Hugh Jackson is a rising designer, builder, and educator living in New Orleans. He is co-teaching the URBANbuild Research Studio. Hugh originates from Charlottesville, Virginia where he gained his initial building experience by experimenting with various apprenticeships Hands-on experience from building trades including fabrication, plumbing, and HVAC would later temper the formal design skills acquired from his undergraduate education.
In his time attending Tulane School of Architecture, Hugh’s student work followed a common focus of sustainability and resilience. These qualities transcend a variety of scales across his work, from rethinking vast urban infrastructures to designing energy efficient single-family schemes.
This work would culminate in Hugh’s thesis, a cross-disciplinary collaboration with Tulane’s School of Engineering to design a scheme for a net zero building. In 2022 their project was awarded 3rd place in ASHRAE’s annual competition.
Since graduating, Hugh has collaborated with BILD, a New Orleans design/build
firm. Here, Hugh has honed his skills and applied his talents to award-winning
projects in the residential market.
aaron lagraize
aaron lagraize is an engineer, designer, and builder, born and raised in new orleans, louisiana. he honed his analytical and technical skills at louisiana state university, earning an undergraduate degree in petroleum engineering.
he then pursued graduate studies at tulane university's school of architecture. during this time, his interests evolved, exploring both the concept of transcendence in the built environment and the intricacies of building construction.
his early academic endeavors, being more subjective and theoretical in nature, involved distilling certain qualities of sacred spaces and religious architecture, translating them into a diverse range of projects such as an animal shelter, office buildings, and mixed-use residential/commercial spaces.
in his final year at tulane, aaron sought to deepen his understanding of materials and construction, participating in the urbanbuild program. here, he played a pivotal role in constructing the program’s sixteenth house, from foundation to completion.
since graduating, he has worked with bild, and has continued to deepen his understanding of building construction while working on numerous projects in residential architecture.
Julie A. Charvat
marketing & graphics | principal jacworks
With a creative eye and succinct voice, Julie helps clients communicate visual identity and message to elevate their position in the marketplace. An organizer with high energy and attention to detail, she is a dedicated professional with a passion for creating powerful and beautiful solutions. With a background and formal education in architecture and interiors, Julie approaches graphic projects and marketing from an architectural angle, using images and words like building blocks. She has guided brand development for a wide range of clients over the last 20 years—from architects and contractors to boutique retail and restaurants. Julie has a unique talent for employing graphic design and writing to effectively communicate the larger story of a project. Her portfolio includes logo design, collateral materials such as business cards and letterhead, brochure design, special event mailers, magazine ads, website design, awards submissions, and numerous proposals and pre-design reports.
Currently, Julie works nationally with Gould Evans Architects as a Senior Marketing and Graphics Associate in their New Orleans studio. Prior to joining Gould Evans, she had her own free-lance graphic design business Jacworks, and also worked with Eskew+Dumez+Ripple Architects in New Orleans. Julie is originally from Central Florida and holds both a Master of Architecture degree and Bachelor of Design in Interior Design degree from the University of Florida.
PAST COLLABORATORS
ali kass
ali rex
anthony christiana
aubrey keady-molanphy
blaise durio
charlie gonzales
chewys m. parra paulino
clayton carriere
clayton hakes
cordula roser gray
daisy dodge
daniel mcdonald
daniel werst
dean kageler
dixon jelich
don gatzke
Viviana Gonzalez
emile lejeune
emilie taylor
gage edwards
hannah berryhill
jason blankenship
joe doherty
joey aplin
john tyler young
josh beezley
lauren hickman
laurel porcari
matt decotiis
matthew fox
matthew kohnke
nick marshall
noah marble
peter kilgust
pierre stouse
sam richards
sara allen harper
sergio padilla
seth welty
shannon farrell
shawn pitz
sim ward
tiffany lin
william soniat
sara allen harper