Alan Keith Barley is the Co-owner and Principal of Barley|Pfeiffer Architecture. Barley|Pfeiffer Architecture was founded in 1989 by principals Alan K. Barley and Peter L. Pfeiffer. Bringing different strengths to bear, Alan’s ability to hear what clients want and his ability to use innovative ideas to create elegant spaces compliment Peter’s strong building-science background and practical approach to construction. BPA is a LEED-certified firm that practices Green By Design. Believing that 90% of effective green building decisions happen in the first 10% of the design process supports the importance of regionally appropriate design decisions and building systems integration. Rather than simply making sustainable material choices we go beyond the present green building paradigm.
Alan’s career began in San Antonio, working for local firms while an architectural student at San Antonio College. He was fortunate to work with well-known architects Richard Mogas and Joe Stubblefield who mentored him for several years. Under their tutelage, he developed a keen appreciation for utilizing regionally appropriate natural materials which has imbued his work with a distinctively central Texas flare. This background reinforces the Barley|Pfeiffer Architecture commitment to the number one premise of sustainable architecture – regionally appropriate design.
Alan continued his education at the University of Texas at Austin, graduating in 1985 with a Bachelor of Architecture Degree. To add depth to his commercial experience, Alan joined the Austin Group Architects in 1986 where he helped design and produce several commercial offices, warehouse structures, business parks, and apartment complexes. He was one of the principal designers in the Cedar Park City Hall competition, winning first place.
Venturing on his own in 1987, Alan completed projects for noted games software designer Richard Garriott, and the World of Pentecost Sanctuary expansion. He joined forces with Peter Pfeiffer in 1989 to form Barley|Pfeiffer Architecture. Since then, the firm’s architectural projects have been featured nationally in Fine Homebuilding, USA Today, Better Homes and Gardens, Natural Home & Garden, Environmental Design & Construction as well as in regional publications including Texas Architect, the Dallas Morning News, Austin Monthly, the Austin American Statesman, and Tribeza.
To date, more than a third of all the highest-rated (Five Star) homes in the history of the Austin Green Building Program – the nation’s most established – have been designed by Alan.
