AQ Studios

10/07/2026

AQ Studios was a proud sponsor of Swamp Pop on the Rooftop last week, benefiting The Foundation for Terrebonne General Health System. An evening of Louisiana music and community spirit supported an important mission: expanding access to health screenings, patient assistance, and wellness programs across the Bayou Region.

As the architects for Terrebonne General’s new Healthy Lifestyles Center, we’re excited to support that mission through both our work and our community involvement. Thank you to the Foundation and everyone who helped bring this evening together!

10/05/2026

AQ Studios salutes all the amazing educators we have worked with over the years this World Teachers' Day. Thank you!!!

10/01/2026

A school building should be designed around an operating philosophy. When that philosophy changes without a corresponding update to the plan behind the building, its capacity can feel like it has shrunk, even though the building itself has not changed. Read more at https://aqteam.com/2026/09/28/why-school-capacity-is-more-than-a-number/

09/30/2026

AQ Studios is a leader in CMAR design in Louisiana. Be sure to catch Chad Abell and a distinguished panel speaking on CMAR projects at the upcoming The Blueprint Conference.

For teams working on CMAR projects, some of the most important decisions happen well before construction begins.

Session 2 of The Blueprint Conference 2026 will take a closer look at CMAR procurement, selection, trends, and changes, bringing together perspectives from the public sector, construction, design, and law.

Moderated by Jon Forester, Partner at Riess LeMieux, LLC, the panel will feature Matthew H. Baker, Architect, Director of the Office of Facility Planning & Control, Louisiana Division of Administration; Lauren Gibbs, Chief Executive Officer of Gibbs Construction; Chad Abell, AIA, ALEP, Principal Architect at AQ Studios; and Michael Blackwell, Partner at Riess LeMieux.

How is the CMAR process changing? What should owners and project teams be thinking about during procurement and selection? And what trends are worth watching as more projects move forward?

Hear from the people working with CMAR from different sides of the table on October 29 at The Blueprint Conference 2026 in New Orleans.

Attendance is free, but registration is required. Register at https://www.thebpconference.com/register

Interested in sponsoring this session? Learn more about 2026 sponsorship opportunities at https://www.thebpconference.com/sponsor

09/24/2026

Breaking ground for a healthier Terrebonne! Designed to bring healthcare, rehabilitation, fitness, and community gathering spaces together, the Terrebonne General Health System Healthy Lifestyles Center will support wellness at every stage of life. Happy to be partnering with Woodward Design+Build as this project moves into the construction phase!

Clear skies and high spirits as we broke ground on the new Terrebonne Health System Healthy Lifestyles Center! Our healthcare team is proud to be delivering this 162,000-square-foot wellness center to the Houma community, creating a new space focused on health, wellness, and connection. We’re excited to see this project take shape! Terrebonne General Health System AQ Studios

09/17/2026

The Phantom of the… Bowling Alley? 🎭🎳

AQ brought a little Broadway drama to the AIA New Orleans Center for Architecture and Design Bowling Tournament last night! For this year’s musicals theme, our crew channeled The Phantom of the Opera with a cast of Phantoms plus one show-stopping chandelier.

Thanks to AIA New Orleans for bringing the architecture community together for a night of costumes, camaraderie, and friendly competition!

09/16/2026

Lafayette Utilities System (LUS) is bringing customer service together in one central hub for Acadiana.

Designed by AQ Studios, this 22,000-square-foot renovation consolidates multiple satellite locations into a new home for in-person customer service, an open-office call center, and a dedicated training facility.

The project brings customer-facing spaces and staff resources together to support the people who rely on LUS and the team that serves them.

09/09/2026

Our New Orleans and Lafayette teams recently gathered in Baton Rouge at the LSU Rural Life Museum to talk business and enjoy each other's company and the beautiful grounds. The Rural Life Museum is a 40,888 SF facility set on several hundred acres of rural agricultural land, and is a project AQ Studios had the privilege of designing several years ago.

09/04/2026

What does pitching a tent or building in Minecraft have to do with architecture?

More than you might think.

AQ Studios Education Studio Lead Steven Domingue recently visited Scouts from Troop 162 in Lafayette to talk about architecture and how some of the skills learned through Scouting are the same skills architects use every day.

From choosing the right place to pitch a tent and thinking about sun, wind, water, and terrain, to exploring building materials, models, renderings, and construction drawings, they talked about what architects really do: solve problems, communicate ideas, create places, and help protect the health and safety of the people who use them.

They also explored the many different things architects can do, what it takes to become a licensed architect, and how architecture brings together art, science, creativity, and communication.

Thank you to Troop 162 for having Steven, and to Steven for sharing his passion for architecture with the next generation!

09/02/2026

The lowest-priced building system is not always the lowest-cost choice.

As construction and operating costs rise, building owners face increasing pressure to find savings. But reducing the upfront cost of one system can lead to greater maintenance demands, a shorter service life, or additional expenses elsewhere in the building.

In our latest article, AQ Studios Principal Chad Abell discusses five questions to ask about long-term cost.

Read the full article: https://aqteam.com/2026/09/01/choosing-building-systems-as-prices-rise-five-questions-about-long-term-cost/