Principle architects Lisa Knemeyer Skiles and Albert B. Skiles specialize in providing personalized, creative design services with an attention to detail, including site specific and sustainable building strategies.
Established in 1981 in northwest Arkansas, Albert Skiles built his craft as a sole practitioner, beginning under the name of Solar Design Architects. In 2006, Lisa joined the studio to establish Skiles Architect, PA.
The 40+ year practice is built upon delivering a successful and smartly built project with a collaborative approach among client, architect, and builder.
Sanders Residence on the Springdale Country Club, 1973. Fifty years later, the outside still looks like the day it was built. This was Albert Skiles' first home design.
Albert Buchanan Skiles has practiced as a licensed architect in Arkansas since 1981, building a diverse body of designs that feature natural materials, relationship with the landscape and open plans. Graduating from the University of Texas School of Architecture with Honors, he moved to Arkansas in 1972. He designed and built one of the first passive homes in the state, then joined the Arkansas Energy Department as a director of solar design.
His craft is firmly rooted in an understanding of construction and vernacular precedent, while emphasizing the importance of a strong relationship between the architect, client and builder. Through building his own homes, he established a firm knowledge of construction and experience with energy efficient and solar design. The fine art of craftsmanship is incorporated into every building he designs and is visible in the details.
Skiles Architect, PA is a member of Preserve Arkansas, aligned with his interest and experience in building restoration and rehabilitation for significant structures. His work has been featured in a variety of publications, including Mountain Living, Southern Living, Popular Science, Journal of the AIA, Landscape Architecture, Garden Design, Cityscapes, Dwell, and At Home in Arkansas. He has designed over 300 new buildings, restorations and renovations in Arkansas, Missouri and Texas with an emphasis in residential design.
In addition to architecture, Albert has maintained a life-long pursuit of photography with archives dating back to college. He recently presented a gallery exhibit in Eureka Springs for the 50th anniversary of the Ozark Mountain Folkfair.
Lisa Knemeyer Skiles holds an architectural license in Arkansas, NCARB membership, and is a U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Design (LEED) Accredited Professional (AP with Homes Specialty).
Applying a modern sensibility to create well-articulated architectural space and details that inspire imagination, several of her single-family residences have earned AIA Arkansas Design Award recognition. Firm projects under her leadership have been published in Dwell magazine, Arkansas Life, At Home in Arkansas, Citiscapes, AY Magazine, AWM and archdaily.com.
Lisa studied at the University of Arkansas with degrees from the Walton College of Business and Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design. Design school graduation honors included receipt of the Edward Durell Stone Design, the Barbara C. Crook Technology Awards, and the juried Pella Prize. Skiles has continued an interest in sustainable innovation with her recent completion of a Master of Science in Biomimicry from Arizona State University online and was named the Outstanding Graduate in the College of Global Futures’ School of Complex Adaptive Systems spring 2023. Prior to a career in architecture, Skiles developed marketing management expertise within REIT property management companies holding the International Council of Shopping Center’s Certified Marketing Director (CMD) designation.
She currently serves as on the City of Goshen Planning Commission as co-chair and enjoys adjunct teaching for the Fay Jones School of Architecture + Design’s summer Design Camp and second-year Interior Architecture studios. Lisa has served on the AIA Arkansas Board of Directors and currently volunteers on its Diversity Committee.
