Design For All

Famed Austin architecture office opens call for 2026 $20K design grant

Austin Angels building rendering for Michael Hsu Office of Architecture project

A rendering of the first Design for All initiative project by Michael Hsu Office of Architecture for Austin Angels.

Rendering by Michael Hsu Office of Architecture

A leading Austin-based architecture office is offering pro-bono services to nonprofits in the Austin, Houston, and for the first time, Dallas-Fort Worth ares. Michael Hsu Office of Architecture (MHOA) is embarking on its fifth annual Design for All initiative, with applications open now through May 15 at 5 pm.

MHOA is looking for a registered 501(c)(3) located within 50 miles of the approved metros. The nonprofit chosen will receive a grant covering $20,000 of design services; that might include things like a site analysis, a preliminary floor plan, or a proposal for a work plan, according to a press release.

Even if Austinites aren't architecture fanatics, they probably know MHOA's work, especially if they're foodies. The office has worked on Uchi's restaurant portfolio, Loro, Uptown Sports Club, P. Terry's, and more visually striking local buildings.

The goal of the Design for All Initiative is to help local nonprofits deliver more fully on their community work by giving them more functional spaces to work from.

“Working on Design For All projects reminds us why we became designers,” said MHOA senior associate Chet Morgan in the release. “This work serves as a reminder that thoughtful collaboration can unlock new possibilities long before construction begins.”

Last year's recipient was American YouthWorks, which used its grant to update its existing space, which it had "outgrown," according to a release at the time. Other past recipients include Central Texas Table of Grace (2024), Abigail E. Keller Foundation (2024), The Women’s Home and Children’s Assessment Center (2023), and Austin Angels (2022).

“Design For All has become one of the most meaningful ways we connect our work to the communities we care about,” said MHOA founder and principle Michael Hsu. “With our first Design For All project for Austin Angels completing construction this year, we’re especially proud of how the program continues to grow. As we prepare to open applications for this year’s program, we’re excited to meet the next nonprofit that’s prepared to imagine great possibilities with the support of design.”

Interested nonprofits can submit applications through Google Forms.

MHOA offers the following timeline for the process going forward:

Call for Entries – March 10
Questions due – April 10
Q&A posted on website – April 24
Submission Deadline – May 15 at 5 p.m. CT
Shortlist Interviews – June 8-19
Partnership announced – June 26

More information about the Design for All initiative, including more specific eligibility requirements, is available at hsuoffice.com.

architecture design nonprofits charity

Flightless Birds

Popular Georgetown bookstore cites roadwork for years of sales losses

Lark & Owl Booksellers/Facebook

Lark & Owl Booksellers is raising money while it's in "survival mode."

A beloved downtown bookstore in Georgetown says it may be forced to close for good after years of nearby construction projects have taken a heavy toll on business.

Lark and Owl Booksellers, which opened in 2018, quickly became a staple for locals looking for a cozy spot to connect over books and community events. But co-owner Jane Estes said that charm has been overshadowed by constant roadwork that has blocked off access to the shop for much of the past two years.

"This is a place where people can come every day and find something joyful, find somebody to connect to," Estes said. "But people literally could not get to us."

When construction began two years ago on several projects near the store, Estes said she and the team were ready to adapt.

“Sidewalks were torn up, the driveway was torn up – that driveway, that driveway,” Estes said, describing what West Sixth Street looked like at the peak of construction.

She said the scope of the construction turned out to be much more disruptive than expected. According to Estes, three projects — a private building, a city parking garage and construction on a nearby bridge on Austin Avenue — all overlapped, limiting access and visibility to the business.

Estes said sales dropped immediately by 30 percent the week construction began on the bridge. She said business has never fully recovered. The bookstore has since reduced staff hours, cut inventory, and slashed nearly half its operating budget.

“We’ve been in survival mode for three years, and when you’re in survival mode, you cannot be strategic. You can’t grow, and you can’t serve your community, ” Estes said.

The city of Georgetown said in a statement it highly values unique businesses like Lark and Owl, which is a big reason the City is making continued investments to improve sidewalks and utilities throughout Downtown Georgetown.

“The City will do all it can to see Lark and Owl, and similar businesses, succeed in downtown Georgetown. We appreciate their investments and appreciate all our community does to support their success as well,” a spokesperson for the city said.

Estes said the store now needs to raise $100,000 to stabilize.

Read the full story at our news partner KVUE.com.

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