A cozy reading nook with a black and white patterned sectional sofa, decorative pillows, a small wooden side table with a sculpture, a large window allowing natural light, a book on the sofa, framed artwork on white walls, and a built-in white bookshelf filled with books and decorative items.

We are an architecture studio located in New Orleans, Louisiana with an obsession for details.

Datum Architects specializes in residential and boutique commercial projects offering full services from Pre-Design through Construction Administration for renovations, additions, and new construction.

Finished Projects

In Development

The G Residence

A new residential construction project in Ono Island, Alabama that provides exterior habitation at varying heights for distinct coastal views.

A black and white photo of a landscaped area with palm trees, small bushes, and a grassy lawn, with a sidewalk in the foreground and a cloudy sky overhead.

The M2 Residence

A residential renovation and addition to a quintessential historic Creole Cottage in New Orleans, Louisiana on a unique double lot with mature landscaping.

A black and white photo of a small house with a porch, steps, and a garden. The house has a gabled roof and a front door with a decorative fleur-de-lis. There are large trees on either side, and neighboring houses are visible in the background.

The B Residence

A residential renovation in the suburban neighborhood of Lake Shore in New Orleans consisting of a new interior primary suite build-out and a new exterior cabana and pool house.

A suburban house with a well-maintained lawn, large trees, a sidewalk, and a streetlamp in front.

The O Residence

A residential renovation in New Orleans that includes a new exterior front porch and new windows and doors to elevate the street presence of the existing front facade.

Black and white photo of a house with a front pathway, stairs, two trees in the yard, and bushes surrounding the house.

About

A hallway with light-colored walls, wooden flooring, and decorative wall moldings. Hanging spherical pendant lights line the ceiling. There is a patterned runner rug on the floor, and various framed pictures on the right wall. A black cabinet with decorative items is on the left side near the doorway to another room.

Architecture Services

General Consultation Feasibility Studies/Pre-Design
Renovations + Restoration New Construction + Additions Permitting + Plan Review Consultation

Office Location

New Orleans
Louisiana
East Riverside/Uptown Neighborhood

Recognition

AIA New Orleans Residential Honor Award - 2016 (UrbanBUILD 12 House)

Tulane Small Center Select Thesis Exhibition - 2018

The Tulane University Lupo Metropolitan Design Award - 2018

New Orleans Homes Magazine Face of Architecture - Winter 2025

Let’s Build!

Black and white image of a person lifting weights in a gym.

From pre-design and feasibility studies to construction administration, we’re ready to design your architectural dream. We pride ourselves on a client-centric approach that empowers ideas, eases concerns, and delivers quality craftsmanship that will endure for generations.

Q + A

A smiling man with a beard and shaved head, wearing a blazer over a checkered shirt, in front of a wooden wall.
The text 'New Orleans Homes' in large, black letters on a black background.

with Jeremy Marshall of New Orleans Homes Magazine and Eric McCutcheon, Principal Architect of Datum Architects.

Is there a unique challenge to meshing the classic and the new when it comes to New Orleans architecture?

New Orleans' architecture is special in the sense that it varies greatly, both in style and scale all through-out the city. From Victorian-era grandeur in the Lower Garden District to quintessential mid-century modernism in Lake Vista. A commonality we find is a sense of timelessness. When a piece of architecture has a respect for craftsmanship and materials, a sense of place and context, and thoughtful design at its core, it will always be admired and sought after. We do our best to continue that approach, especially when meshing traditional architecture with new styles and contemporary furnishings of today. Contrast can be really beautiful when done respectfully, such that each element is distinct in its own right, but also compliments adjacent elements creating a successful and balanced composition. When working on a property with impressive plaster detailing and ornamentation, the most compatible are those pieces that have equal material integrity and quality but are sleek, minimal, yet functional, that do not detract from the historic architecture. The same can be said when approaching an addition or renovation to a historic structure. We want to respect the existing and celebrate it by taking cues from existing scale, fenestration, and materials. New architecture should be beautiful on its own, but not compete or overshadow its predecessor.

What does the process of designing a new property look like, from conception to finished project? Does the client have input throughout? What influences do Datum architects take from when designing?

Each project is unique for us, because every client is different. At the forefront, we consider ourselves to be educators; then architects and designers. Our job is to answer all questions about the industry, the process, and understand a client’s expectations that come with a renovation, addition, or new construction project. We consider this architectural education as part of the pre-design phase. Once our clients have a fundamental understanding of the architectural process (and many already do), with a defined project scope in mind that either the client or we as a team specified, we can then begin the Schematic Design phase. At this phase we become the students and our clients the teachers, as they are the experts when it comes to knowing what they want. Our designs are a direct response to the way a client lives, so we listen closely during this phase, define the overall goals, and together, create the essence and overall design concept to be built. Building and construction is intrinsically collaborative, the same can be said about architectural services. Our clients remain involved throughout every process, through Design Development and Construction Documents, and especially during construction. While we are capable of making every decision for our clients and offering turn-key services, the most successful projects are those that have collaboration through-out. Our goal is to create a timeless piece of architecture that reflects the essence of our clients. The more involved they can be, the more successful we are at meeting this goal.

Datum specializes in residential and boutique commercial projects; are there any projects of note that you are particularly proud of?

I was fortunate to land a job at a local architecture firm immediately upon graduating with my masters degree from Tulane University. Their specialty was residential and boutique commercial work also and I had the pleasure of leading a myriad of projects during my eight years there, though never as sole-author.

So the project that I am particularly proud of was actually my first solo job after getting licensed, my husband’s and my current home. We were first-time home buyers that had champagne taste and a beer budget. A rather neglected 1890’s Victorian Sidehall Cottage seemed to be the ideal candidate. Fabulous details, tall ceilings, and two Owners unafraid of a complicated and phased-renovation. With enough courage and trust in each other, we knew we could make her into something we were proud of and very comfortable in. The renovation began downstairs in the raised portion of the house (we refer to it as The Lower Level) by reimagining the space into a secondary short or long term rental that would allow us some income potential to assist in additional renovations, and later a fabulous guest space for family and friends or mother-in-law suite. After completing The Lower Level in 2021, we paused renovations for a couple of years to save up once more before beginning the main floor renovation. In 2023, we moved into The Lower Level and began the final renovations to the main residence which were completed in 2024. Our first home has now become a dream home to us and for that, I will be forever proud.