DOUGLAS BYCE
PROJECT ARCHITECT
Douglas’s spent his early years on a small farm in the remote town of Bliss, Idaho, located on the canyon rim overlooking the Snake River, and from that rim he could see a local artist’s studio. It was his fascination with the design of this structure that led Doug to pursue a career in design and the art of building. Doug studied at the University of Idaho where he graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1984. It was while at this school he learned that the artist’s studio that captured his imagination as a child was the only structure designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the State of Idaho.
After working for three years for architectural firms in Idaho, Doug moved to San Diego and obtained his California Architect's License in 1990. That same year he was offered a chance to work with one of San Diego’s most renowned interior designers Arthur Porras where he would spend the next 15 years mastering the art of detail, balance, surface, and light. During his years with Porras, he worked with an international retail company that asked Doug to become the head of their store design team in 2004, where he continued designing and overseeing all aspects of their store designs until the relationship ended during company restructuring caused by Covid.
Doug has designed many custom homes in the past 30+ years, including a residence for Leslie and Mike Smelek of Smelek Design. During COVID, Byce designed a residence in Pinehurst, NC, which won “Home of the Year” by the local building association in 2022 and was featured on the cover of Pine Straw magazine’s September 2023 Home & Garden issue.
Doug and his wife Kelly moved from San Diego to Houston in 2021. In the fall of 2023, Doug was asked to become part of the team at Smelek Design and is now looking forward to using his skills developed in the 40+ years of residential and commercial design toward the world of outdoor living spaces, structures, and luxury pool design.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Architecture – University of Idaho
PROFESSIONAL STATUS:
Registered Architect (California); 1990 - 2015
EXPERIENCE
40+ years practicing architecture, interior design, construction oversight, and land planning.
AWARDS & PRESS
Private Residence, 109 Chester Way, Pinehurst, NC:
Moore County Home Builders Association Home of the Year 2022 & Best of Show
Residence cover feature in “Pine Straw” magazine H & G Issue, September 2023