M a r k   A b e l 

I am a licensed architect registered in California, I graduated in Architecture from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.  Attending architecture school in the shadow of the great works of Frank Lloyd Wright provided invaluable opportunities to visit and study some of these landmark structures in Southeastern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.

I started my career in 1984 at the international firm of HKS & Partners in Dallas working on high-rise, commercial, education and hospitality projects which included the SMU School of Business, Waterside Tower, Capitol Tower, Momentum Tower in joint venture with architect Phillip Johnson and the IBM Southwest Headquarters at Westlake, Tx in joint venture with Mitchell Guirgola Architects.

In 1987 I  moved to California and joined Leason Pomeroy & Associates, now LPA, working on commercial, education, entertainment, civic and hospitality projects which included the Walt Disney Company, the John Wayne Airport and continueing work on the IBM Headquarters/Marriot Hotel complex at Southlake, Tx in joint venture with acclaimed architect Ricardo Legorreta of Mexico City.

              
IBM Southwest Headquarters & Hotel Complex at Southlake, Tx

John Wayne Airport   Santa Ana, Ca

After eight years working on big projects in large firms I made a deliberate career move back to my artisitic bent and my Frank Lloyd Wright roots designing custom coastal residential architecture which lead me to Laguna Beach in 1991. 

I worked as the staff architect for general contractor and designer Gregg Abel on several award winning homes and as a staff architect for architect Brion Jeannette on several large local and international residences gaining great experience in coastal design and construction.  

In 2000 I started my own practice.  The varying design influences provided by living in the Midwest, in the Rocky Mountains, on the East Coast, and down South inform and compliment twenty-three years in Orange County and provides a wealth of inspiration for each project.  My body of work reflects those influences and diverse lifestyles of my clients.  These projects range from 1,350 sf to 8,585 sf.  Each unique dwelling embodies a constant pursuit of excellence in research, detail and passion for my client's vision.