Mente Sowell Architects
contact for price
Select a service
Zip code
Project type description
Square footage of project
Sorry this pro can’t do your job, but we know other pros who can.
Introduction: We are a full service architectural firm (see our website). My husband, Clark Mente and I are both licensed architects and we've been in business since 2002. We offer professional services for both large projects (new credit union up at the Domain) and small (tiny houses in Barton Hills).
We love both design and problem solving. We believe good design should be readily available to everyone and involves more than just aesthetics. A good design fits your budget and your taste. It grows with your business and family and it’s not outdated in 5 years. Following are overviews of both our Commercial and Residential projects.
Commercial Work:
We have a wide range of experience with financial institutions, offices and retail environments in both new construction and tenant finish-out.
We can tell you if a prospective site is feasible for your purposes, and do preliminary zoning reviews. We have worked in complex urban environments within the City of Austin such as TOD's and handled occupancy changes etc. for our Clients.
Residential Work:
Small jobs, large jobs—we can help! We will consult with you, design with you or help you prioritize and decide if you need to add on, remodel, or both. Love your house but want a 3-seasons porch? We can be there whenever you need help, at your speed, because we get it--the options are overwhelming.
Do you love your house but want to redo the kitchen/bathrooms? We design millwork and can connect you with the trades to build your custom cabinets. Or, we can help you wade through the IKEA offerings (and do things with IKEA kitchens and baths that their $199 design consultants would never dream of).
If your job is larger, such as additions or new construction, we are here for you. We can decipher the City code and show you options on your site in 3D. We can help you understand your development options so you can make the right choices.
Finally, a few other things we do include: help you contract your own kitchen or bath jobs; help you buy tile, millwork, appliances, lighting and plumbing fixtures etc through trade discounts; and lastly, if you are submitting to the City of Austin, Georgetown, Lakeway or Roundrock, we can walk you through it.
Please visit our website: mentesowellarchitects.com
We are always happy to share references for both our residential and commercial projects.
Overview
Hired 1 time
Background checked
License verified
2 employees
19 years in business
Payment methods
Check
Photos and Videos
10 photos
Reviews
Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, professionalism, and responsiveness.
Exceptional 5.0
6 reviews
5
100%
4
0%
3
0%
2
0%
1
0%
Read reviews that mention:
Kay H.
Elizabeth Sowell was my architect for a project to remodel my home and add a library with a bath. The finished project is dazzling and friends say that my house shows the best remodeling job they have ever seen. Elizabeth made architectural drawings for my library, for a new master bath, and for a dressing area off the master bedroom. Within these spaces are varied types of wooden cabinets, shelves, and drawers. In the library are two especially beautiful and clever "cabinets" that enclose desk spaces with shelves and feature slanted doors above the desk spaces that lead the eye up to the 11-foot ceiling and the clerestory windows. The finished millwork draws raves from all who see it.
One of my favorite features of my "new" home is the set of folding doors that separate the living room from the library. There are 6 wooden door panels that contain insets of decorative molded acrylic. The insets contain a combination of painted and natural materials and Elizabeth guided me to find these insets on the internet. The doors are suspended from a beam and fold back when not in use. These doors look beautiful whether open or closed and I get compliments on them in both positions.
Elizabeth gave me valuable advice on finishes for three bathrooms. She knew how to source and choose countertops and then how to coordinate tile selections for walls, accents, and floors. She also helped me decide on paint colors, both exterior and interior. And she knew how to make transitions in wall colors from one functional section to another within large open areas.
I contracted with Elizabeth to be the architect for my project and she did an excellent job as architect. It was a bonus for me that she offered so much extra value in the realm of interior design. She is a very talented professional and I was the beneficiary of her skills.
Jan 17, 2018
Catherine B.
I worked twice with Ibby Sowell and Clark Mente on major remodels of my home. The architecture work was impeccable and creative. It has been some years and I still love what we did! Also, Ibby went above and beyond recommending cabinetry, paint colors, fixtures of all kinds, tile - really the whole finish out and often met me at the stores to give me her thoughts and hold my hand when all the selections seemed overwhelming. It came together beautifully and the process was fun and interesting. I can highly recommend this firm! Catherine Benouis, Family Law Attorney
Jan 8, 2018
Tom J.
Mente was an outstanding resource for oversight and solving installation challenges.
The trades resoected her and responded to her in a very positive manner
Peggy Porter
Jan 16, 2018
JaNet B.
Ibby Sowell was able to find solutions that met the divergent needs and wants my husband and me. The result is functional and enjoyable. She worked well with the builder to find workable solutions.
Jan 15, 2018
Mari N.
Ibby designed a beautiful guest house for us and got us through a very difficult time with contractors. We could not have done this without her creative problem solving. We have already recommended her to friends.
Jan 13, 2018
Credentials
License
License Type: Architect (TX)
Background Check
Elizabeth Sowell
FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
I will consider each job/client individually. I can provide either an estimate or an hourly fee based on the scope of services. My firm does both large and small, commercial and residential jobs.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
In an initial free consultation, I will meet with you and listen to what you'd like to do. It's important to me to know how much involvement you would like from me from the start. Typically, I will meet you at the jobsite, but sometimes it's good to meet at my office--just depends on the situation. I've also been known to meet clients at coffee shops and wine bars!
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
MArch, UT Austin MA English, Middlebury College BA English, Davidson College