Studio
Based in Dallas, Tx, our studio is dedicated to the craft of bespoke, private residence design and construction. Rooted in site specific design and construction practice, our work explores the refinement of placemaking through modernism and minimalism.
We approach building design from the outside in, seeking opportunities to tailor for individual perspectives and preferences in each unique context. Working together with a team of trusted consultants, we guide the progression of our projects from the first concept sketch through construction document creation, permitting, construction and landscape installation.
Since 2020, 90% of the studio design work is constructed by our partner company Taproot Building Co.
Portfolio:
Award Winning Commercial and Conceptual Work highlights past collaborations with architects of high acclaim along with a number of international design firm collaborations and architecture competitions won by our studio.
Contact:
214.210.7006
14180 Dallas Parkway, Suite 320
Dallas, Tx 75254
Founder of Taproot Studio, Blake received a bachelor's degree in architecture from The School of Architecture at Oxford Brookes, Oxford, UK. He then returned to the U.S. to work as an apprentice in the Master of Architecture program at the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture in Scottsdale, AZ. During that time, Blake began to focus his attention on design oriented around the connection between landscape and buildings.
After spending a year as an apprentice, Blake transferred back to his home state of Texas to acquire his masters degree in architecture from Texas A&M University, and work for several architecture firms within the state before founding Taproot Studio in 2014.
Blake Smith
As project design manager, Christopher brings a broad range of expertise in design and construction to project design and execution in the field as a built product.
Chris has a bachelor's degree in architecture from Georgia Tech. and a masters degree in architecture from Rice University. Before joining Taproot Studio, Chris provided nearly a decade of service supervising the construction of high tech concrete structures and providing design build services for boutique scale architectural works with various offices throughout Texas and Georgia.
Christopher Ball
Emily has been with Taproot Studio since its inception as Blake's partner in life as well as business. She has always played an important role as a sounding board and outside eye on projects, but after running her own small business for years, she came on in an official capacity in 2020. As business development manager, she supports the firm's growth and smooth operation by overseeing the financial, marketing, policy development, and accounting aspects of the firm.
Emily Savage
Recognition
Blake has completed a number of award winning projects around the world with residential architects, commercial and planning firms, and in independent practice.
+ Jamsil Sports, Convention, and Retail Complex competition in Seoul, Korea. 2nd prize from a field of several hundred firms was awarded to Blake and his two colleagues, along with the invitation to a final invited stage competition for the re-design of the Olympic Stadium in Seoul, Korea along with the other top 6 firms.
Jury Comment: "The project produces a very well organized design approach connecting the architectural shapes to various outdoor spaces of artificial landscape architecture and indoor programs. It also produces polished architectural gestures with various urban activities and site plan considering urban context where major buildings including hotel and convention are placed close to the subway station."
+ Interpolation: Affordable Housing Complex in Rijeka, Croatia with Zoka Zola Architecture. Blake provided concept design and design development services for the international competition winning proposal by Zoka Zola Architecture. This award resulted in the construction of the 80 unit, 4 garage complex on a heavily wooded site overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
+ Plenitude Master Plan, Khourigba, Morocco, in collaboration with Pliny Fisk, Director of CMPBS. This proposal won a mention in the Institue for Advanced Architecture, Catalonia (IAAC) City Sense Competition resulting in the publication of the project by the IAAC in the book City Sense, Shaping our Environment with Real Time Data.
Other notable project involvement includes:
+ Design team contributions to international competition winning Jining Master Plan Project while working as a project designer at Laguarda Low Architecture and Planning.
+ Honorable Mention in the Gowanus Canal Community Center and Water Treatment Facility Competition resulting in the exhibition of the work at the Old American Can Factory, Brooklyn, NY.
+ Collaboration with Bercy Chen Studio, Austin, Texas in luxury resort design proposals for Cancun, Mexico.