Today we’d like to introduce you to Alaa BouGhanem.
Hi Alaa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
When I stepped onto the plane that would take me from Lebanon to the United States, I was 17 years old and convinced of one thing: the people I grew up with would eventually forget me, and the people I was about to meet might never fully accept me. That uncertainty stayed with me, but it also became fuel. Today, standing in Austin, a city defined by creativity, independence, and rapid growth, I recognize how much that journey shaped the way I practice architecture and engage with community.
I was born in 1995 in Ramlieh, a small mountainous town in Lebanon. Growing up in a developing country, I was constantly surrounded by contrasts between nature and the man-made, tradition and progress. Those early observations planted a curiosity about how environments influence culture and belonging. That curiosity, paired with a deep desire for adventure, ultimately led me to the United States in search of a place where ideas, ambition, and diversity could intersect.
Arriving in this country was overwhelming. As a teenager navigating a new culture, I began looking for ways to understand why communities functioned so differently from one place to another. I quickly realized the built environment plays a powerful role in shaping how people connect, collaborate, and grow. That realization led me to architecture not just as a profession, but as a way to actively shape culture. Cities like Austin, where identity and place-making are deeply intertwined, embody exactly what drew me to the field in the first place.
While studying architecture at UNC Charlotte, I was accepted into the inaugural class of NCARB’s Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL) program. It was a demanding and untested path, but one that required discipline, resilience, and trust in long-term vision. Those qualities now define my leadership and design approach. I completed the program as a licensed architect upon graduation, with a strong belief that education and practice must work hand in hand to create meaningful impact.
My professional foundation was built in Charlotte NC, where I learned the importance of mentorship, teamwork, and designing at scale without losing sight of people. Working within a growing city helped me understand how thoughtful design can guide development rather than react to it, an insight that feels especially relevant in fast-evolving markets like Austin.
In 2020, at just 25 years old, I founded Architect Builder Group in the middle of the pandemic. Launching a design-build practice during such uncertainty was a bold move, but it was rooted in a clear mission to leave every place better than we found it. That mission has guided our work with developers, communities, and partners focused on responsible growth, adaptive reuse, and revitalization, values that align closely with Austin’s commitment to innovation, culture, and community-driven development.
My journey from a small mountain town in Lebanon to leading projects in the United States has taught me that belonging is not granted; it is built. In a city like Austin, where growth brings both opportunity and responsibility, I see architecture as a powerful tool to honor identity, foster connection, and shape a future that feels intentional, inclusive, and deeply human.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all. The road has been anything but smooth, and in many ways, that’s what shaped who I am today.
Immigrating to a new country at 17 came with an immediate sense of displacement. I was navigating a new culture, a new language, and a new educational system while carrying the pressure to succeed, not just for myself but for my family and for the opportunity I had been given. There were moments of doubt, isolation, and constant questioning of whether I truly belonged. Learning to adapt without losing my identity was one of the earliest and hardest challenges.
Academically and professionally, choosing the IPAL licensure path added another layer of difficulty. I was balancing full-time architecture school, professional work, and licensure exams simultaneously, all within a program that had never been tested before. The margin for error was small, and failure would not only impact me, but the future of the program itself. The pressure was intense, and it demanded discipline, resilience, and sacrifices that many of my peers never had to make.
Starting Architect Builder Group during the height of the pandemic was another defining struggle. Projects were being canceled, uncertainty was everywhere, and as a young immigrant founder, credibility had to be earned daily. There were financial risks, long nights, and moments where growth meant choosing integrity over short-term gain. Building trust with clients, partners, and communities took time, consistency, and humility.
Perhaps the greatest challenge, though, has been learning patience. Architecture is a long game. Impact takes time. Progress is often invisible before it becomes undeniable. Through every setback, I’ve learned that struggle is not a sign of failure, but a sign of alignment. Each obstacle reinforced my commitment to leave everything better than I found it and to build not just projects, but trust, community, and lasting value
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Architect Builder Group PLLC?
Architect Builder Group PLLC is a multidisciplinary design and architecture firm rooted in the belief that thoughtful design can transform communities and create meaningful impact. With offices in Austin, Texas, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Charleston, South Carolina, AB Group works throughout the Southeastern United States to deliver design solutions that are both visionary and practical.
At its core, AB Group provides full-service architectural design, planning, and development support for a wide range of project types, including:
Commercial and retail buildings
Multifamily and mixed-use developments
Community-focused facilities
Hospitality and workplace environments
Luxury residential homes
Adaptive reuse and historic renovations
What sets AB Group apart is its integrated approach—bringing together architecture, interior design, engineering, permitting, zoning, and project management under one roof. This means clients benefit from cohesive solutions that thoughtfully align design vision with budget realities, schedule demands, and long-term asset value.
One unique strength of the firm is its emphasis on neuroaesthetic design, where spaces are intentionally crafted based on how humans emotionally and cognitively respond to their environment. This research-backed approach enhances well-being, connection, and experience in every project.
What sets AB Group apart from others?
A holistic, architect-led mindset that bridges design creativity with execution focus.
A turnkey philosophy that helps clients from the earliest feasibility stages through construction.
A track record of community-oriented and impact-driven projects that go beyond aesthetics to shape culture and place.
Brand-wise, AB Group is most proud of being a trusted partner to developers, owners, and community organizations who value clarity, integrity, and purposeful design. The firm’s clients appreciate not only the creativity of its work, but also its professionalism, responsiveness, and attention to detail; qualities reflected in strong client reviews and long-term relationships.
What should readers know?
Architect Builder Group is not just an architecture firm. It is a design-driven, community-focused practice that believes the spaces we inhabit deeply influence how we live, work, and connect. Whether you’re embarking on a multifamily development, repurposing a historic space, crafting a new workplace, or building a custom home, AB Group offers strategic design insight, technical expertise, and thoughtful guidance at every stage of the project.
What are your plans for the future?
Looking ahead, the future feels less about expansion for the sake of growth and more about deepening impact with intention.
At Architect Builder Group, our focus is on designing work that truly matters. In the coming years, we are intentionally positioning the firm to play a larger role in shaping growing cities like Austin in a way that balances innovation with responsibility. That means engaging earlier in the development process, helping clients make smarter decisions at the intersection of design, feasibility, community, and long-term value.
We are excited to continue expanding our work in multifamily, mixed-use, hospitality, and community-driven developments, particularly projects that strengthen neighborhoods rather than simply occupy them. We are also investing heavily in adaptive reuse and urban infill, breathing new life into existing buildings and honoring the stories already embedded in the fabric of our cities.
Internally, we are focused on building a studio culture that prioritizes mentorship, authorship, and leadership development. The next chapter of AB Group is about empowering the next generation of designers and architects to think holistically, lead confidently, and design with empathy. Growth, for us, means creating a platform where people can do the best work of their careers while staying grounded in purpose.
We are also continuing to refine our neuroaesthetic approach to design, pushing beyond how spaces look and focusing on how they feel and perform for the people who inhabit them. The future of architecture, in our view, lies in creating environments that support well-being, connection, and human experience at every scale.
What I’m most excited about is alignment. Alignment between design and impact. Between business and values. Between growth and responsibility. The goal is not to build more, but to build better. To leave behind cities, communities, and places that feel more thoughtful, more human, and more enduring than when we found them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://architectbuildergroup.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/architect.builder/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/architect.builder.fb/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/architectbuildergroup/
- Other: https://www.google.com/search?q=architect+builder+group
Image Credits
Abrar Altay Photography
