JRAF Studio

The grant process can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.

Last summer, JRAF Studio partnered with Broadway Dallas to apply for and win a Texas Preservation Trust Fund Grant from the Texas Historical Commission.

This grant helps fund HALF the project cost to test and document the Music Hall Domes, the last remaining original elements of the Music Hall at Fair Park. The project team—JRAF Studio, Walter P Moore, Quimby Preservation, and DFWCGI—is currently working with Phoenix 1 Restoration and Construction to conduct testing that will confirm the condition of the Domes and guide next steps for documentation and restoration.

For information regarding the upcoming grant cycle, visit here: https://shorturl.at/6UvGV

Didn’t know we work on historic projects? We do—A LOT, and residential ones too. Reach out to learn more.

Mi Casa es Su Casa is an idea that began to take shape in late 2022 and moved into construction in February 2025. The project consists of an approximately 820 SF addition to an existing 1,550 SF home and was completed in late summer 2025.

The primary goal was to expand the home with minimal impact to the existing structure and backyard, allowing the addition to function independently without disrupting daily life, while remaining flexible enough to adapt to multiple uses over the lifespan of the inhabitants.

Raising the addition off the ground on helical piers with a steel frame foundation minimized disturbance to the existing grade and allowed for a light, deliberate connection to the house. This connection takes the form of a bridge, which becomes an extension of the existing bedroom and reinforces the sense of separation between old and new.

The lower level of the addition accommodates a living space, a small kitchenette, and storage tucked beneath the stair. The stair is positioned along the bridge side to act as a buffer from the existing bedroom and leads to the upper level, which includes a bathroom with a washer/dryer and a generous room capable of functioning as either a bedroom or workspace.

The flexibility of the addition allows it to serve aging parents, function as a private primary suite retreat, operate as a home office, or be rented independently. The latter two options were considered as potential offsets to the overall cost of the addition. Windows and views are carefully placed to balance natural light and privacy while remaining respectful of adjacent neighbors.

A modest cantilever provides shelter for a parked vehicle and doubles as a covered outdoor porch. Red corrugated metal panels wrap the structure, creating a durable exterior that complements the surrounding context while giving the addition a distinct identity.

The backyard remains largely intact and usable, now framed by a vibrant backdrop that supports future ideas, memories, and growth.

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If you're driving west down NW Hwy just past White Rock Lake, you'll catch a glimpse of the addition currently under construction. A home from the 1950's getting a full remodel with additional space to live and grow. The entire team and clients enjoying the journey. #

Courtesy of for capturing this sweet moment.

An addition with corrugated metal panel exterior, towards the rear yard. More images to follow soon.
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Join us tomorrow night for another Arch Chat!

Beyond the Big Box

Way back in 2009, we placed third in a Boston Society of Architects competition about housing investigations.

Our design concept looked at removing the shells of empty big box sites and placing a variety of housing types within their structures.

Existing vacant sites could be re-activated and vegetated, creating density in a new neighborhood prototype.

With Dallas Zoning currently being evaluated, and density being a hot topic, we believe thinking "outside" or rather "inside the Big Box" could provide some great options.

And then there were three.

Welcome to the team Stephan!

One large space for a media library. A second floor addition onto an existing single family residence of approximately 1,100 sf, with a span of 22 ft in the short direction. The glory of southern yellow pine getting put to work.

Anytime I speak to another architecture professional, we always talk about how universities should include business classes as part of our curriculum. I'm so grateful for organizations like the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and most recently, Goldman Sachs for creating FREE business programs for entrepreneurs. This knowledge is absolutely essential, and so are the incredibly inspiring people who participate. People I now consider friends and mentors.

We are architects AND entrepreneurs. We can say first hand, neither is easy, but both are incredibly rewarding. We can't wait to continue learning and growing.

Did you know that the city of Dallas is in the process of updating their Zoning Ordinance? We are definitely interested in these much needed changes and will continue to post about them in the months (or years!) to come.

Presentation below from a recent Greater Dallas Planning Council meeting. More info can be found here: https://www.dallaszoningreform.com/

Another great discussion on the topic of Professional Practice. Thank you to and for providing a tour of their offices and sharing their story.
Very informative and exciting. As usual we went over the two hours in effort to thoroughly cover and see as much as we could. We hope to see more participants on the next one. Please stay tuned.