Team Holiday

our story

We chose the name Identity intentionally

Every space we design is rooted in who it’s for and how it will be used, creating places that are as authentic and lasting as the people connected to them. Our name reflects this vision. We chose Identity because we believe architecture should be about the identity of our clients, our projects, and the communities we serve. We align bold ideas with real-world economics delivering clarity, accountability, and long-term return from initial schematic design to completed construction. At Identity Architects, our process is where creativity and accountability meet. We are collaborative by nature and disciplined by process.

Team Holiday

Our journey has been defined by innovation and adaptability. We entered healthcare design because we knew we could bring something different: speed, quality, and the warmth of hospitality design to a market that too often felt sterile in the wrong way. We embraced architect-led design-build to take greater ownership of outcomes, ensuring that the creative vision carries through construction with clarity, accountability, and precision.

As we’ve grown, we’ve leaned into placemaking —because we believe design should do more than solve problems; it should connect people and bring communities together. More recently, we’ve expanded into commercial development, an investment that not only allows us to shape projects from a broader perspective but also deepens our understanding of the forces that influence our clients’ decisions.

Every project is unique, and so is our approach. We tailor our services to align with each client’s goals, using a collaborative process grounded in communication, care, and creativity. Whether we are designing a healthcare clinic, retail destination, or mixed-use community, our aim is the same: to create thoughtful, high-performing places that foster connection, growth, and long-term value.

At Identity, we are more than architects—we are partners, builders, and placemakers. We bring bold ideas to life and deliver lasting impact.

core values

Care

Care

We care about the details and individuals. As professionals, we take pride and care about what and how we deliver successful collaborations.

Create

Create

We are creative designers, thinkers and problem solvers. We create value, produce exciting designs, deliver unique solutions.

Communicate

Communicate

Clear, responsive, and honest communication. Effective communication builds relationships, efficiency,
and satisfaction.

our history

2003

Keenon Rayner AIA, IIDA and David Kastendieck, RA partnered and founded Identity Architects, Inc.

2008

Our principal Keenon Rayner becomes a LEED Accredited Professional pushing the firm toward
green solutions.

2009

Identity Built, LLC was formed with the vision that Architect-led Design Build would be a superior delivery model for their clients.

2012

Identity Architects Inc. moved its headquarters to downtown Houston, TX, to centralize its services and improve team culture.

2018

Adjusting to market needs, Identity Architecture PLLC is formed and held by Identity Holdings LLC. Identity Architects Inc. remains
the primary employer.

Our principal, Keenon Rayner, becomes a Texas Licensed Interior Designer, confirming the firm’s commitment to the specialty service.

2020

Thomas DeFroy, AIA is promoted to Principal and Design Studio Director

2023

Identity Architects Inc. celebrates its 20th Anniversary.

Bryan Cater, AIA is promoted to Principal and Commercial
Studio Director.

2026

Legacy continues.

Team

culture

Company culture revolves around our core value of CARE. We care about each other and treat everyone with respect as we all understand the value each team member brings to the company. We enjoy who we work with and have structured activities such as quarterly outings, happy hours, out-of-office company meetings, regular staff-catered lunches, and group birthday celebrations. You can often find employees throughout the downtown area and in Market Square Park having lunch together or just grabbing some fresh air.

studio

111 Travis St. Houston, TX 77002

Identity Architects is located in the main street market square historic district in downtown Houston on the ground floor of the original Southern Pacific Headquarters Building; better known today as the “Bayou Lofts” building. The Renaissance Palazzo style building was built in 1910. Just one block away from Hughe’s Landing, Houston’s birthplace. We occupy a 6,000 square foot collaborative open studio environment, where our “no doors” policy provides unparalleled communication at all levels, allowing us to leverage each team member’s unique talents. Life at Identity Architects is full of diversity and has a spirit of family. Each quarter the entire staff, including the principals and interns, venture outside together for social activities, team building, or enlightening adventures.

Process

process

Our everyday process is one in which we collaborate, communicate, and coordinate with the project team throughout the successive phases of design. The essential ingredient to our process is our ability to quickly and effectively determine the highest priority requirements during the initial programming, or schematic design, phase. This allows us to prioritize the client’s ideas, needs, technologies, material resources, and standards seamlessly throughout the project. As a result, we leave behind well-designed buildings of inspiration, innovation, and technology.

Library

belief

We believe that by encouraging our creative teams to embrace new ways of thinking along with tried-and-true problem solving, our designs are able to push the envelope and maximize the value of the buildings. Both research and innovation contribute to making the best planning and design decisions, building performance, and ultimately delivering positive experiences in and around the places we design.

goals

At Identity Architects, our goal is to bring architects to the center of the development process—where vision, strategy, and delivery move forward together. Through our Architect-Led Design Build approach, we remain engaged from early planning through construction, helping ensure that design intent, technical coordination, and project leadership remain aligned as projects evolve.

We work alongside developers, healthcare leaders, and business owners to shape environments that perform over time. Many of the places we design contribute to larger placemaking developments, where thoughtful architecture, site planning, and pedestrian experience help create destinations that attract activity and support active communities.

Central to this work is our commitment to partnership. The people we collaborate with are more than clients. They are trusted partners whose vision and investment guide the work we do together. By listening carefully, thinking critically, and communicating openly, our goal is to deliver exceptional service and create environments that bring lasting value to both our partners and the communities they serve.

awards

Houston Business Journal
Landmark Award

Office Building/Campus - Finalist
2025

AMA Houston -
Crystal Awards

West Medical One - Finalist
2024

ULI Houston
19th Annual

Development of Distinction Awards
Grogan's Mill Village Center Redevelopment
2025

Houston Business Journal
Landmark Award

West Medical One - Finalist
2024

Houston Business Journal
Landmark Award

Office Building/Campus - Finalist
2025

AMA Houston -
Crystal Awards

West Medical One - Finalist
2024

ULI Houston
19th Annual

Development of Distinction Awards
Grogan's Mill Village Center Redevelopment
2025

Houston Business Journal
Landmark Award

West Medical One - Finalist
2024

Award
Award
Award
Award

ready to bring bold
ideas to life?

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