Our Team

  • Andrew Vrana

    PRINCIPAL

    Since 2007 I have been fortunate to work with Joe Meppelink and an exceptional staff at Metalab, a practice that endeavors to integrate the delivery of good design and unique building components with architecture, public art project management, and product design projects. This is enabled by connecting with a network of fabricators in Houston who are able to build anything.

  • Joe Meppelink

    PRINCIPAL

    I truly enjoy sketching, drawing, and inventing solutions as part of the design process, and shifting scales of work from minute details to broad design concepts. Working across the spectrums Creative Infrastructure, Public Art, and Architecture facilitates this, and it's a joy to find work that is ever changing and challenging.

  • Armando Arteaga

    DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC ART

    I pride myself to having worked on various scale projects with world renowned Artists. As Director I am tasked with collaborating with artist and assisting with realization of their ideas. In addition, I focus our efforts into effectively and efficiently accomplishing the artists’ concept from design to fabrication, to install without affecting the full potential of the artists vision.

  • Caitlin Dashiell

    DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE INFRASTRUCTURE

    Growing up a dancer, I found my place in architecture by defining the common thread that ran between dance and design: a desire to create spaces that form relationships and unite people through moving experiences. While my journey in design began at the end of high school in the Midwest, my time in undergrad and graduate school, both in the studio and traveling around the world, was built on the theatricality and performance embedded in architecture centered around people. I believe in design as a feedback loop that works best when it plays to the strengths of each architect, artist, and user involved. 

  • Kim Cook

    OPERATIONS + PROJECT MANAGER

    I am passionate about keeping things organized and running smoothly behind the scenes. I utilize my background in art practice, art history, and small business development to lead projects from a creative-thinking approach. I enjoy being a part of each stage of the art/architecture process for our clients.

  • Dakota Cooley

    ARCHITECT, PROJECT MANAGER

  • Tung Nguyen

    PROJECT MANAGER

    Being able to live abroad and travel around the world, my design philosophy emphasizes a holistic exploration of cities at multiple scales. I view architecture as a transformative force, capable of pushing theoretical boundaries and effecting tangible change within the urban landscape. My investigations extend beyond the visual aspects of architecture, delving into the realm of neurodiversity and how the built environment can be designed to accommodate a diverse range of sensory experiences.

  • Bailey Stevens

    PROJECT MANAGER