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Meet Our Team

Our expertise is in our process.

Barley Pfeiffer Architecture’s core strength is designing high-performance homes and buildings that are beautiful and timeless.   Recognized for their attractive design, integrity, and ability to stand up to the elements – they are less expensive to own, operate, and maintain, are healthier to occupy, and are more comfortable to live and to work in.

Our “Comprehensive Design” approach means we engage in all aspects of a project from thoughtful initial project programming and site-planning, to award-winning interior design and kitchens, green building strategies and analysis, mechanical systems design, dramatic lighting design that doesn’t sacrifice practicality and comfort, as well as full construction administrative services.

Our scope of work can be tailored to fit the budget, schedule, and specific needs of our clients and their projects. We listen and are flexible. While we do not have a set style, our projects are designed to “live” particularly well with their site, paying close attention to the site’s micro-climate and setting – all while blending cohesively with our client’s tastes, goals and aspirations. Comprehensive Design blended seamlessly with Innovative Building Science!


Profile and History

Live well by doing well.  Luxurious and healthy living combined with pragmatic environmental stewardship has been our focus for 30-plus years — and we have gotten pretty good at it!

We know that each site, building, and client is unique. By incorporating environmentally sound design strategies, our firm offers comfortable and healthy, yet reasonably priced living and working accommodations.  Our homes and buildings are recognized for their intelligence, energy efficiency, and innovative utilization of space. Our approach will appeal particularly to those who intend to own their home or building for many years — to be passed on to the next generation, and possibly the one after that!

Leadership


Peter L. Pfeiffer | Principal​, FAIA

An Architect, Interior Designer and Building Science Consultant, Peter is professionally licensed in Texas, New York, New Jersey and Oregon, as well as with the National Council.

Alan K. Barley | Principal, AIA

Co-owner and Principal of Barley|Pfeiffer Architecture, Alan holds Texas licenses in architecture and interior design, and is lead designer and artist for this award-winning firm.

Oren Mitzner | Associate Principal, AIA

Having enjoyed tinkering and working with his hands from a young age, it was natural for Oren to find his way into the field of Architecture. While earning Bachelor of Architecture.

Matt Weigers | Associate Principal, AIA

A native Austinite and professionally licensed Texas architect, Matt has put his insatiable curiosity to work in the pursuit of better Building Science.

Joel Effland | Project Manager

Matt Hart| Project Manager

Vanessa Rodriguez | Business Manager

Medha Kulkarni | Project Manager

Dillan Graham | Design Team & Graphic Specialist

Didi Barley | Operations & Logistics


Donna Tiemann| Project Manager

Tripp Pfeiffer | Chief Happiness Officer

Champ Pfeiffer | emeritus Chief Inspirational Officer

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Peter L. Pfeiffer | Principal​, FAIA

An Architect, Interior Designer and Building Science Consultant, Peter is professionally licensed in Texas, New York, New Jersey and Oregon, as well as with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. 

He holds a Masters in Architecture degree, with an emphasis in environmentally-sensitive design & energy studies from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Building Sciences from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Pfeiffer is a LEED accredited professional who has spent 30+ years designing and developing pragmatic high-performance Green buildings and homes.

In 2004 he was named a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects [AIA] for his lifelong achievements in “mainstreaming Green Building” – one of the earlier Architects in America to be recognized for such.    Residential Architect magazine cited him as one of the 10 most influential residential architects of the decade.  Peter was nominated for the prestigious Hanley Award for his meaningful efforts to advance Green building in North America. In 2019 at the International Builders Show, Peter was awarded the National Green “Superhero” of the year by Green Builder magazine.  More recently he was selected to speak at the prestigious SXSW conference addressing Architecture and its effect on Climate & Social Action

Alan K. Barley | Principal, AIA

Co-owner and Principal of Barley|Pfeiffer Architecture, Alan holds Texas licenses in architecture and interior design, and is lead designer and artist for this award-winning firm.  Alan’s design success is due to his uncanny ability to synthesize client visions & needs to create stimulating and elegant architectural forms and spaces.  

Clients appreciate his ability to draw realistic images of the collaborative thoughts during in-person or virtual design meetings.

Alan Barley earned a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin and is a life-long student of design theory, history, design communication and planning.  Alan oversees design, production, and graphic communication. His experience includes a large portfolio of site-specific custom homes and renovations, boutique commercial and institutional projects, amenity centers, and feasibility studies.  Alan is active in many other fields of artistic expression and besides being husband to Didi and father to three, he is an accomplished illustrator, guitarist, and furniture designer. He serves as assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 229 in Austin Texas.

Oren Mitzner | Associate Principal, AIA

Having enjoyed tinkering and working with his hands from a young age, it was natural for Oren to find his way into the field of Architecture. While earning Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degrees from Tulane University, Oren had the opportunity to work on design/build projects through the URBAN build program and the Albert and Tina Small Center for Collaborative Design. 

During that time, he gained valuable insight making design decisions and developing construction details on site, while maintaining the goals of creating efficient and affordable spaces that respond to their users and environments.

Oren has managed projects in New Orleans and Austin, ranging from small park memorial sidewalks to large scale commercial buildings. He has extensive experience in the custom residential, retail and hospitality markets, and is an integral part of the design and production team at Barley|Pfeiffer Architecture. Oren is a member of the American Institute of Architects, holds a National Council of Architectural Registration Boards Certificate and is a licensed Architect in the state of Texas.

Although not an Austin native, Oren has adapted to the city he calls home by quickly learning it’s unique ins and outs and becoming involved with the community. He works with multiple organizations focusing on youth and professional development, as a volunteer and in leadership capacities.

Matt Weigers | Associate Principal, AIA

A native Austinite and professionally licensed Texas architect, Matt has put his insatiable curiosity to work in the pursuit of better Building Science. Holding a Master’s degree in Architecture and a Bachelor’s in Construction Science from Texas A&M University, Matt’s long-standing fascination with how buildings come together is evident in every project. 

His eye for how details affect the quality and use of a space together with a willingness to explore new materials is indispensable in helping to guide our clients through the process of designing and developing site specific and high-performance buildings. Matt has extensive Project Management experience in a variety of building types, including custom residential, multi-family, retail, and medical office projects.