About

ABOUT us

We provide honest, accurate, and conscientious advice and services to our clients. We believe architecture should be an integral part of the process of enhancing the community's quality of life. We are dedicated to working with our clients and business, civic, and government leaders to provide design and planning services of lasting value, and we are strongly committed to superior design, planning and management of all our projects at competitive rates. As part of our commitment to the highest quality, we contract only with those engineers and other consultants who have demonstrated exceptional experience, technical competence, and professional integrity. Equally important, we recognize that we have an obligation to enhance the function, appearance, and livability of buildings and developments within the context of the community's historic character and contemporary culture.

BYRON J. STEWART, aia - principal architect

"Architecture," STEWART says, "should not only reflect the needs and values of the population it serves and the space it occupies, it should also be a creative expression that encourages cooperative and effective living and working conditions. At its best, architecture is a record of our past, a design for living in the present, and a symbol of hope for our future. Architecture speaks to the highest ideals of civilization."

Stewart, an alumnus of Southern University A & M College School of Architecture, brings 45 years of experience to his field. Since founding his own firm in 1990, he has designed and managed a diverse array of projects. His expertise spans both public and private sectors, including small churches, retail stores, residences, office buildings, schools, libraries, restaurants, stadiums, transportation facilities, rail projects, public utility buildings, mixed-use developments, and large-scale convention centers.

KRISTAL JONES - Receptionist, intern architect

KRISTAL JONES is a graduate of Southern University and A&M College at Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a Bachelor of Architecture Degree. She has over 12 years' experience in office management and operations. Her background in architectural study and working within the non-profit sector has led her to an important role at Modus Inc., as logistical support for the team. Jones is very familiar with all aspects of the daily operations of the office, architectural documents, and computer aided drafting. Jones is continuing to hone her skills in the study of AIA documents, sustainable design, Building Information Modeling, and stormwater water management practices.

Trent marcelle - project manager

TRENT MARCELLE is a graduate of Louisiana State University in Environmental Engineering. After graduation, Trent went to work for Barrier Construction. While there, Trent honed his skills in Project management, budget oversight, site operations, and compliance with safety and regulatory standards. His experience includes managing multimillion-dollar projects down to home renovations. His hands-on leadership, attention to detail, and focus on safety and compliance will contribute to the project’s successful delivery, benefiting both the client and the community.

CONSULTANTS

DARREL J. WILLIAMS, SR. Faia - URBAN PLANNING SPECIALIST

As Emeritus, DARREL J. WILLIAMS provides Modus with design advice for all projects involving urban planning, affordable housing, and transit. Williams is an Alumnus of Southern University A & M College School of Architecture has 45 years of experience contributing to the field of architecture in Colorado and the Carolinas. Prior to forming Neighboring Concepts design firm that was sold to four employees in 2022, Williams worked over a decade for Charlotte’s 1st black mayor. He served four terms as a Mecklenburg County Commissioner from December 1994 until December 2002 and has been a leader in several initiatives relating to urban economic development and affordable housing. As an architect and former elected official, Darrel has been very successful in bridging the gap between the physical and social challenges facing urban communities through organizing and facilitation. Since his retirement, he and his wife have formed a new entity, Rouge Creek, LLC to continue his passion for urban economic development and affordable housing.

GREGORY DIXON, RA, aia, DBIA - PROJECT & CONST. MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

GREGORY DIXON brings to Modus a successful history of multi-discipline experience in programming, design, design coordination, scheduling, sustainability, conflict resolution, QA/QC, integrated design and more. Gregory is an Alumnus of Southern University A & M College, School of Architecture, is registered in 14 states and has 44 years of experience in Architectural Design and Construction. He brings a creative, visionary, technically proficient, team oriented and accountable approach to every project. He is the Architect of record on eleven K-12 school facilities (including the nation’s first public Montessori-Magnet school) and multiple Higher Education/University and Military instructional, research, laboratory and athletics facilities. He is the recipient of National Design Awards from the Design-Building Institute of America (DBIA) and the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO). He has participated in Capital Improvement Programs for school systems ranging from $411M to $1.6B. He has also served as the Program Manager of CIPs for Cities, Counties and the Military ranging from $754M to over $3.8B. Gregory is a proven strategic planner with a motivational, mentoring, team-oriented schedule and budget driven approach to successful project delivery with a strong focus on client satisfaction.

ELI G. GUILLORY III - FACILITY PLANNING, MAINTENANCE & OPERATION SPECIALIST

ELI G. GUILLORY III advises Modus with the anticipations of long-term facility planning, maintenance and operations to consider when designing. He is a 1982 graduate of Southern University A & M College School of Architecture and has contributed 42 years to the field of Architecture. He has done extensive independent research and on-site observation of architectural design planning for urban land development, inner city revitalization & historic preservation, university campus planning and documentation of building construction in many states all over the United States and also the Bahamas, Jamaica, and North Yucatan Peninsula. In the private sector, Guillory established architectural building programs and drawing documents, performed site and cost analysis, and much more. He has worked with Southern University as facilities planner and director for the system office of facilities planning, and executive director of facility services. Guillory also served as Special Assistant to the Senior Vice President for Finance, Administrative Services, and Operations at Alcorn State University from May 2023 through June 2024.

randall duplessis - ASSOCIATE

RANDALL DUPLESSIS graduated from Southern University and A&M College at Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a Bachelor of Architecture Degree in 2009. There he was able to learn and develop Architectural Design skills and Construction Knowledge that partnered well with his background in Visual Arts. As a life-long resident of New Orleans, Randall has developed a passion for preserving the city’s Historical Architecture; and is dedicated to incorporating the cities iconic architectural elements into modern developments. While spending 5 years within the Architectural Office environment, Randall was able to be a part of different phases of Projects including Project Development, Programming, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Construction Administration, and Master Planning projects. Towards the end of 2013 Randall shifted his attention back to his cultural upbringings of Renovation and Residential Development to immerse himself within the New Orleans construction community as a Design-Build contractor into the present. In doing so this has allowed Randall to have proficient and working knowledge of construction budgeting, cost estimating, project management and practical design concepts.

CHARLES JONES - RESIDENTIAL SPECIALIST

CHARLES JONES graduated from Southern University and A&M College at Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a Bachelor of Architecture Degree in 1976. He has over 40 years of experience within the field of architectural services. Mr. Jones has worked with the Community Improve Agency for 2 years developing renovations for low-income families. He then worked with the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) for 26 years preparing contract document drawing and specs for Modernization Projects of various developments and conducting Section 8 inspections for rent subsidy. He has also worked with the Kenner Housing Authority for 11 years conducting Section 8 Inspections. Mr. Jones is currently lending his expertise as our in-house residential specialist.

gordon sauer - architect

GORDON SAUER graduated from Pratt School of Architecture in 1979 and was licensed to practice architecture in 1987 in the State of New York. During his time in NYC, Mr. Sauer worked as a Design Development Architect, Production Architect and Project Architect/Project Administrator for residential and commercial projects domestically and internationally. After moving to new Orleans, Mr. Sauer's focus shifted to Design Development Architect, Production Architect and Project Architect/Project Administrator for infrastructure, commercial and institutional projects in New Orleans along with the Gulf Coast and Florida.

IN REMEMBRANCE OF ARCHITECT ROBERT SWAN
With utmost respect, we remember Robert Swan, Architect, LSU graduate, Specifications Writer, Professional Consultant, Friend and much more. We are grateful for the knowledge and advice Mr. Swan has poured into Modus Inc. over the years. Mr. Swan has been an outstanding colleague and mentor. We Thank Robert for all that he has contributed to the professional field and surrounding community. He is truly missed.