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Steve founded the Universal Design Consortium, LLC. (UDC) in November of 2002, specializing
in residential and commercial design and providing computer aided design (CAD) and
presentation services to local architects and commercial builders while he was completing
undergraduate Architecture study at Texas Tech University. Steve completed his architectural
internship under the guidance of architect Charles Pope; Principal of Pope & Associates-
Early Life
Steve was born and raised in a small ranching community in South Texas called Jourdanton. He grew up and was indoctrinated into the ranching lifestyle of his family, working in his spare time on several ranches his family managed in the area. Steve got his first exposure to construction serving as a helper for his uncle; JW “Billy” Mueller, a local carpenter at age seven. Steve is a natural artist and when asked to “Draw what the building would look like.”, he inveterately began his architectural training. Having designed several homes and building remodels before the age of eight.
Steve graduated from Jourdanton High School in Jourdanton, Texas and entered into the Drafting & Design program at Texas State Technical College (TSTC) located Waco, Texas. Diagnosed with three learning disabilities, his academic grades at TSTC were nothing to brag about and after a short time he dropped out and returned to South Texas to work on the ranch. Steve’s learning disabilities made it very difficult to acclimate to a academic environment fueling his frustration and lack of commitment to academic study.
Military
With his failure with his first attempt at school behind him and after 4 months of hard labor on the Mueller ranch in South Texas, Steve enlisted in the United States Air Force. Steve served on active duty for 4 years and is a Gulf War veteran,
having served on several deployments to the Middle East in support of Combat Operations. Steve also served in both the Virginia Army National Guard at Virginia Beach, Virginia and served in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) through the Army while attending college at Texas Tech University, eventually becoming a platoon leader with the Texas Army National Guard posted in Abilene, Texas. In 2005 – 2006 Steve returned to the Middle East as a defense contractor to support Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Steve left the military after 15 years of service in 2008 to concentrate on universal architecture and to lead Universal Design Consortium into the national spotlight as a sustainable architectural firm.
Pictured Above: Steve during Operation Desert Storm
Architecture
Having completed over 50 commercial and residential projects throughout the state
of Texas, Steve is best known for his work in sustainable architecture with an emphasis
on reduced energy or zero energy design for both residential and commercial applications.
As well as, single family, multi family and community shelter design. Facilities
designed to maximize survival during and after a contingency event. Steve’s work
in sustainable architectural design and increased building performance has been fully
realized with the introduction of the Universal Home®. A house specifically designed
to accommodate almost any occupant, regardless of age, medical condition or income
level, offer the most advanced performance in energy efficiency and at a cost equal
to or lower than traditional costs of a traditional “stick” constructed houses and
buildings of the same size and configuration. Under the leadership of Steve, UDC
has been nationally recognized for their work in community revitalization, sustainability
and zero energy or “off-
Travel
Steve travels are extensive, having lived, worked and/or visited more than 40% of the countries of the world either through military missions, vacations, architectural study or research.
Professional Organizations
Steve is a professional member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), The American Solar Energy Society (ASES), The Texas Solar Energy Society (TSES), The Sustainable Building Industry Council (SBIC), The International Code Council (ICC), The American Civil Defense Association (TACDA), Association of the United States Army (AUSA), The American Legion, National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA) and honorary member of the Arnold Air Society (AAS) Detachment 820 Texas Tech University.
Charities
Steve is a proud supporter of the Fisher House and Wounded Warrior charities. Together helping military families and wounded servicemen and woman.
Construction
Steve’s architectural & construction experience includes drafting and custom home design for local San Antonio home builders. He has also worked in all areas of design and construction to include; Superintendent, Project manager, and estimator for various construction companies in San Antonio and Lubbock. In 1998, after being discharged from active duty with the United States Air Force he moved to Hampton, Virginia to explore aquatic design and to supervise residential and commercial swimming pool construction and design for Douglas Aquatics of Hampton. Steve now serves as the Principal and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Universal Design Consortium in a full time capacity.
Pictured Above: Steve standing next to a Universal Home™ designed for community revitalization. This series 012 design has 85% reduction of electrical usage as compared to a stick building of the same configuration and orientation, but cost the same to build.
San Antonio and Lubbock. In 1998, after being discharged from active duty with the United States Air Force he moved to Hampton, Virginia to explore aquatic design and to supervise residential and commercial swimming pool construction and design for Douglas Aquatics of Hampton. Steve now serves as the Principal and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Universal Design Consortium in a full time capacity.
Pictured Above: Steve with the Lubbock Design team holding up the first series 007 zero energy Universal Home™ specifically designed for the Lubbock community development department in 2007. Also pictured is Erik Carlson, Jacob Hilton and Kim Gilkerson.
Below: Steve inspected work at a job site in San Angelo, Texas.
