atlantis architects

Austin, Texas
Residential & Commercial Architecture

A large two-story house with multiple white-framed windows and a tan exterior, surrounded by trees and grassy yard, with mountains in the background.

Atlantis Architects began in 1989 to create hand crafted houses using local materials and earth-friendly strategies for owners who cared deeply about their surroundings. Making a home is really making a place for family.

houses should look like their owners, not their architects

A wooden house under construction with snow on the roof, surrounded by snow-covered ground and dense green pine trees.

We begin by listening. Every effort is made to get to know the clients, the site and their needs before any drawing begins. The uniqueness of each owner and each site gives the project its spine.

a good project depends upon a good team

Construction site with wooden framing of a building against a mountainous landscape under a blue sky with clouds.

“the tricycle”
Every project has three wheels – the owners, the designers and the builders. At various stages, each one will have a chance to be the big wheel

early involvement from the beginning
At the earliest possible stage, we engage builders, craftsmen and consultants to all pull in the same direction. The team evolves and is not assembled at the end.

involvement to the end
From ground breaking until move-in we coordinate the process and the project with the team to avoid design and budget surprises.

the last meeting needs to be as fun as the first meeting

A backyard with a swimming pool, outdoor seating, and an extended patio area with a house in the background. The house has beige siding, multiple windows, a chimney, and a covered porch with trees around the yard.

The time and emotion spent on any project can be both stimulating and exhausting. We work to make construction a process, not a burden. Scheduled site meetings, regular budget reviews and clear communication can prevent construction delays, price surprises and missed opportunities. We are onsite as owners’ representative and builders’ other set of eyes.

Remodels should add to the house AND to the neighborhood they change

Front view of a modern house with stone accents, a covered entrance, lush garden, and a paved driveway surrounded by trees.

Derek Barcinski and Atlantis Architects have been involved with neighborhood protection and historic preservation for over thirty years.

STYLE comes from the owners,

attention to detail from the architect,

and craftsmanship from the builder.

Front view of a house with a brick tower, white trim, a dark wood front door, a covered porch with a hanging lantern, a brick pathway, partially visible a flag, and a yard with dirt and some shadowed areas, trees with green leaves, and a blue sky.

Done well, the project goals get embedded in the details.

A dining room with a hanging chandelier, a wooden table with two candle holders and a glass bowl, and a gray cabinet displaying dishware, with a staircase and doorway in the background.

our design process

  • The first phases of our work allows the team to flush options from fanciful to frugal

  • With the help of the builder, we work to select material for the home that match the owners’ tastes and budget

  • With the help of consultants, we draw and specify the project details necessary for permit approval and contract

  • Through scheduled meetings, we work the team to ensure progress of the work and adherence to the team expectations.

Hand-drawn floor plan with black lines outlining rooms and black lines indicating walls or doorways, overlaid on a red and gray architectural blueprint.
Sketch of a construction or building design, with relevant notes and measurements, on graph paper. The drawing appears to depict a cross-section of a wall or structural component.
Construction site with wooden framing for a building, scaffolding on the left, and two men standing amidst the wooden structures under a clear blue sky, trees in the background.
A woman standing on a step, talking to a man on a construction site. There are trees, a stone wall, construction tools, and a pile of rocks.

RECENT WORK

Las Lomas Architecture Firm
A two-story green house with a porch, multiple windows, and a landscaped front yard with plants and trees.
Sunlit balcony leading to a kitchen with white cabinets, a gray stove, and open shelves with glassware and decor.
Living room with beige walls, large windows, and a kitchen with blue cabinets. Contains a dining table with chairs, a gray armchair, a small side table with magazines, and artwork on the wall. Pendant lights hanging from the ceiling.
A courtyard with a small pond, surrounded by stone buildings and a wooden pergola overhead.
A large, multi-story house with stone and stucco exterior, multiple chimneys, and a spacious balcony. The house is situated on elevated terrain with landscaped gardens and stone steps leading up to the entrance, surrounded by trees and greenery.
A modern house with a stone and wood exterior, metal roof, and chimney, surrounded by trees and greenery, near a water body.
Front view of a modern house with a stone and stucco facade, large windows, and a wooden front door, surrounded by trees and a landscaped yard with pumpkins, plants, and outdoor seating.
Living room with high ceiling, large window, modern furniture, artwork, and decorative objects.