studio
hype studio is a boutique architecture studio located in Phoenix Arizona with a concentration on custom residential, spec homes, multi-family housing, commercial, and hospitality design. the team at hype studio is dedicated to evocative, site responsive, thoughtful design and healthy building practices. each project we undertake becomes a true reflection of our clients, their needs, and their way of living.
Michael Alexander, Principal
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Mike received his Post-Graduate Diploma in Advanced Architectural Studies at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture in Aberdeen in 2000. Having spent three years in Barcelona, Spain he moved to Phoenix in 2005 where he fell in love with Desert Architecture, and the crisp light and shadow that is so unique to that environment. His history, with a variety of locations, climates, cultures, and experiences allow for a unique and detailed understanding of place.
Prior to opening Hype Studio in 2022 with founding partner, Justin Novak, Mike worked with several acclaimed design studios, developing an understanding of how to mix the pragmatism and poetry of architecture, to ensure the built environment has a positive impact on its clients, community, and surroundings. With experience in civic, commercial, education, and custom residential architecture, both as a designer and project manager, he has a clear vision of how to realize multiple scales of architecture, working closely with clients and design team.
With several years in the design + build field of architecture, building commercial and custom residential architecture. Mike also has a passion for finding new, interesting ways to use simple materials and enjoys working with local craftsmen to learn from their experience to better understand the possibilities.
Steven Loutherback, Project Designer
Steven received his Bachelor of Science in Architecture at Texas Tech University in 2016. Upon graduation, he went on to work with two prominent architecture firms in Texas before making the move to Phoenix in 2018. Then in 2022, Steven joined Hype Studio. Ever since, he’s been providing design services to the greater Phoenix Metro area.
Steven came to enjoy working with homeowners because of the long lasting relationships he’s made with each and every one of his clients. He finds the residential side of architecture the most rewarding because the client is ultimately the one who’ll intimately experience curated spaces every day and share the stories of the process. Steven’s experience in residential architecture range from mid-size additions to large custom homes. Whether it’s adapting to existing conditions, or starting with a clean slate, he enjoys finding creative solutions to overcoming any challenge a project might present.
To compliment his residential experience, Steven’s design experience in multi-family housing, restaurants, and other commercial projects have sharpened his understanding and implementation of building codes. His ongoing pursuit of knowledge, combined with the daily application at Hype Studio, seeks to complement the vast range of skills present in the Hype Studio team.
Nathan McNeilly, Project Designer
As a designer born and raised in the vibrant and diverse landscapes of New Mexico, Nathan has always been captivated by the stark beauty of the desert. Growing up surrounded by the jagged mountains, sweeping deserts, and historic adobe structures, he developed a profound respect for the natural environment and the way architecture can harmonize with its surroundings.
In furtherance of this interest in the natural and built environments, Nathan pursued and received his Bachelor of Arts in Architecture degree from the University of New Mexico in 2019 followed by his Master of Architecture degree from Arizona State University in 2021. While his education furthered his focus on desert sited architecture, he embraced opportunities to design and study in Reykjavík, Iceland and Paris, France. He received awards throughout his studies, including 1st place in the 2019 Robert Bruce Thompson Lighting Competition and the 2021 Jeff Harner Student Award for Architecture.
During and following his graduate studies, Nathan worked with one of Hype Studio's founding partners, Justin Novak, at his prior practice NVK Design. He continued with the team as Mike and Justin founded Hype Studio, where he currently works as a Project Designer.