Experience matters.
There are very few experiences in life more stressful than construction, especially if it’s your first project. The difference between a positive or negative development experience begins with the selection of the architect or interior designer to lead the project. And since we are a fan of positive experiences, the design of our practice has been crafted around the client experience to ensure that from concept design to move in day, the process is an enjoyable one.
Whether a personal residence, restaurant or commercial development- When you hire Hip.Hop.Design Studio to collaborate on a project, you’re not just hiring a design partner, you’re hiring a development partner. Sadly, good design alone won’t make your project a success. Early in the process, we help our clients identify their goals and vision for the project, and to develop their unique proforma for success. Throughout the process, we weigh every decision against those goals, not ours.
Hip.Hop.People
James Cornetet
Architect + Knows Things
James is an architect, artist, designer and partner at Hip.Hop.Design Studio, located in Austin Texas.
In 2012, James was selected as one of 13 architects most likely to change the future of the built environment in Florida by a jury consisting of Stefan Horner of Herzog & de Meuron and Miami Herald architecture critic Beth Dunlop. In 2013, he received the AIA Fred H. Pryor Young Architects Forum Achievement Award which recognizes a young architect who consistently demonstrates excellence, exceptional promise and leadership qualities in both the profession and the community.
In addition to his work as an architect, James’s critiques on architecture and society have been published in the German architecture publication Bauwelt, YAF Connection and AIA Florida’s florida/caribbean Architect, and his first book: Facadomy: A Critique on Capitalism and Its Assault on Mid-Century Modern Architecture landed him on the long-list for the Sir Banister Fletcher Art Book Prize. James has also served as an adjunct professor of architecture, teaching design studios at Valencia College and the University of Central Florida School of Architecture in Orlando, Florida.
James received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture in 2004 from the University of Cincinnati and a Master of Architecture from the University of Cincinnati in 2006. He is a LEED Accredited Professional and is licensed to practice architecture in Florida and Texas.
Nicole Cornetet
Interior Designer + Gets Stuff Done
Nicole is an interior designer, project manager and partner at Hip.Hop.Design Studio, located in Austin Texas.
While working as a Walt Disney Imagineer, she was responsible for managing the design and construction of complex hospitality projects, balancing aesthetics with the functional requirements of restaurants, spas, bars, retail, site circulation, guest rooms and hotel services, all while crafting some of the most immersive and beautiful environments in the world. Her influence and talents have left a permanent impact on one of America’s most iconic environments – Walt Disney World.
Nicole has worked on projects that range in scale and complexity from the Treehouse Villas, which required innovative construction solution that made use of prefabricated modules that were constructed off site and lifted into place. To Bay Lake Tower, the first new resort on Magic Kingdom property in over 30 years!
In addition to her work as an interior designer, Nicole is an avid traveler. She received a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design in 2005 from the University of Cincinnati and is licensed to practice interior design in Florida and Texas.
Hip.Hop.Awards
They’re not the reason we do what we do, but if someone gives you a gold star-
You gotta stick it somewhere!
- 2018 AIA Orlando Award of Excellence – Phap Vu Buddhist Temple
- 2015 AIA Florida Award of Merit – The Cameo
- 2013 AIA Fred Pryor Young Architect Achievement Award
- 2013 City of Orlando Gold Brick Award
- 2012 AIA Florida Award of Merit – Lynx Bus Shelter
- 2012 AIA Orlando Award of Excellence – Lynx Bus Shelter
- 2013 Top 13 Architects Under Forty in Florida
- 2011 International Parking Institute Award of Merit
- 2011 eVolo Skyscraper Trendsetter
- 2011 A’Design Award
- 2009 AIA Orlando Award of Honor
- 2009 AIA Tampa Award of Merit
- 2008 AIA Award of Excellence
Hip.Hop.FAQ
You again? You still have questions? We thought we were going to meet up to talk about your project? Okay, we’re sure you have some of the same questions as our other clients, and that’s okay. Since we would much rather talk about you than us. Below are some of the most commonly, frequently asked questions:
What is a design studio?
Most of the time clients hire us to design buildings and interior spaces, but sometimes we just can’t help ourselves. We love designing custom furniture, signage, lights, graphics, textiles, brands and crafting unique user experiences. Simply put, we want to design everything. But if you got a guy for that, that’s cool too, because we also love collaborating with other uber-talented creatives.
Do you have a style?
This is the most common question we get asked, and the short answer is NO. We’re designing for you- not us. We feel that focusing on process (not style) leads to a solution that responds to the unique needs of the client. In keeping with our name, we rely on a technique known as sampling to blend traditional precedence with ever evolving cultural trends, which leads to the creation of something new and original that embodies the unique qualities of our clients and the communities they serve.