MODA | Selected Work and Research by Nina Murrell

Let's turn air into solid.

MODA | Murrell Office for Development and Architecture was founded by Nina Murrell in Austin, Texas, in 2016. Over the next ten years, MODA grew as a lean, principal-led architecture and owner-advisory practice serving education, arts and cultural, civic, nonprofit, community-serving, commercial, hospitality, mixed-use, and residential clients.

From the beginning, MODA was structured around Nina’s direct involvement with clients and her ability to assemble the particular team each initiative required. Working with interior designers, landscape architects, engineers, specialty consultants, and other partners, MODA led projects ranging from focused renovations and individual buildings to complex developments, institutional master plans, and multiphase capital programs.

The work often began before the project was clear. MODA helped clients understand what needed to change, test possibilities, align stakeholders and resources, and determine what combination of planning, operational strategy, programming, funding + partnerships, and design could move an idea forward. The practice expanded beyond conventional architectural services to encompass project formation, feasibility + capital readiness, research + engagement, and integrated institutional + capital master planning as well as program + project management.

Sometimes the answer was a building. Sometimes it was the plan, funding strategy, partnership, or team that made a future project possible. “Let’s turn air into solid” became both MODA’s invitation and its way of working.

A new chapter

In 2026, after ten years of leading MODA, Nina joined Wold Architects & Engineers as National Higher Education Practice Leader, bringing the entrepreneurial perspective, research orientation, and start-to-finish involvement developed through MODA into a broader architecture and engineering platform.

At Wold, Nina continues working directly with clients at the earliest stages of change while drawing upon a deeper multidisciplinary team, wider geographic network, and greater technical and delivery capacity. Clients can engage her before a project has been defined and, when a building becomes part of the answer, continue with a coordinated team through planning, architecture, engineering, documentation, construction, move-in, and post-occupancy learning.

For former clients, prospective clients, collaborators, and professional connections, the platform is changing while Nina’s commitment to the relationship and the purpose of the work remain. The move creates more ways to bring the right people, evidence, and resources together and to carry promising ideas farther.

This website preserves selected MODA work, research, and ideas that continue to shape Nina’s practice. Whether you worked with Nina through MODA, considered working together, or have found something here that connects with a need or idea of your own, Nina would be glad to reconnect and explore what might be possible through Wold.

NINA MURRELL, RA, LEED AP, NCARB

WOLD | National Higher Education Practice Leader
MODA | Founding Principal Architect & Cultural Strategist

Nina Murrell is a registered architect, entrepreneur, and researcher whose work connects institutional purpose, capital investment, and design of place. She is especially drawn to colleges and universities, museums, cultural organizations, and nonprofits that create opportunities for learning, belonging, discovery, and the unexpected connections that shape lives.

Nina grew up in a German-French-American family with relatives on two continents, learning early how to move between cultures and perspectives. As a first-generation college student at Rice University and a Fulbright Scholar, she experienced firsthand how education and cultural exchange can expand what a person imagines is possible. Those experiences continue to shape both the institutions she serves and the questions she brings to the work.

Across more than 20 years, Nina has led institutional plans, capital programs, and architectural projects from their earliest questions through implementation. Before founding MODA, she led arts, culture, and education practices within internationally recognized design firms. Through MODA, she brought that experience together to help clients determine what should happen and how to make it possible, then remained involved as the work moved from idea to implementation.

Research is one of the ways Nina finds what a project brief alone cannot reveal. Her work on museum audiences, workplace experience, and Central Texas growth has helped institutions understand how people experience places, how conditions are changing, and where new possibilities may be emerging. As a certified facilitator, she brings the right people and evidence together so a group can see the whole challenge, make consequential choices, and build a direction others can help lead and carry forward.

Today, Nina leads Wold Architects & Engineers’ higher education practice, bringing this integrated perspective to colleges and universities while continuing to contribute to the cultural, nonprofit, and professional communities that have shaped her work.

Client Perspectives

Natalie George, Executive Director
Flower Hill Center Program Management
Austin, Texas

“Nina brings expertise in architecture, big-picture planning, cultural projects, and leadership. She has been by my side through a major renovation and long-term planning for future restoration, helping me advocate for Flower Hill, think strategically about our projects, and keep our work mission-focused and aligned with our long-term goals. It may be Nina’s work beyond the architectural realm that has been the greatest gift to our organization. Together, we have developed an interpretive master plan, presented at the Texas Historical Commission annual conference, and lay the groundwork for a large-scale state funding initiative. Nina has an extraordinary ability to see the big picture while understanding the details needed to move an idea from vision to reality. Her breadth of skills, generosity as a collaborator, and deep passion for preservation and culturally vibrant spaces have made her an invaluable partner to me and to Flower Hill Center. I cannot recommend her highly enough.”

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Jessica Lauren Morgan
Real Estate Developer
Thames Home B&B
Kennedy-Pierce Mansion Adaptive Use
Taylor, Texas

"Nina has been an incredible partner in bringing the Kennedy-Pierce Mansion project to life. She has led the architecture and design, while also helping me shape the business plan, connect with investors, and secure funding strategies including PACE. From the beginning, I knew she was the right architect - the quality and coordination of her drawings were exceptional, and my development mentors immediately agreed. She understood how to balance the historic character of the building with forward-looking vision that makes the project financially viable and truly special. Nina has helped strengthen the program in meaningful ways, from integrating the microfarm and events lawns into a regenerative landscape to designing spaces that are welcoming, accessible, and memorable for guests. She has also been a trusted guide in presenting the project to the City and preservation agencies, helping navigate complex conversations with clarity and confidence. This is not an easy project, and Nina has been steady, thoughtful and solutions-oriented throughout. The project is stronger because of her, and I am deeply grateful for her leadership, creativity, and commitment."

Haute Spot Music and Events center in Cedar Park, Texas

Jeff Haynes, Founder
Haute Spot Music and Event Center
Renovation and Expansion
Cedar Park, Texas

"Nina was an amazing addition to our team when we were building out our concert venue just North of Austin! She led the entire ideation, architecture and interior design for the project. She also brought in an amazing team to help with the landscape architecture as well. She understood our desire for the space to be natural (keep all the trees) as well as warm and welcoming. And most important, functional. We went on a path of 4 different variations, and she was patient as priorities continued to change over and over again. In the end, the building and property were nothing short of world class. I am biased, but it is my favorite place in the world to enjoy live music and it was all brought to life by Nina and we will forever be grateful for her passion, patience and kindness throughout the process."

New Moonlight Hill RV Resort in Walburg, Texas

Glenn Preuss, CCIM
Broker & Development Specialist
Compass Real Estate
New Moonlight Hill RV Resort
Walburg, Texas

"Nina was a true professional and partner in the development of Moonlight Hill Luxury RV Resort. She worked closely with our team and client to move the project forward while continuously aligning design with budget. Our client required translation throughout the process, and Nina communicated with clarity and intention, using visuals and careful explanations to build understanding and buy-in.

Her design for the 68-acre, 365-pad RV resort captured exactly the Central Texas character we were hoping for. She created a strong sense of place rooted in the region's vernacular in a way that exceeded our expectation. Nina also navigated complex site challenges, including coordination of new utility infrastructure to bring water service for a site that previously relied on a well. She balanced vision with practicality at every step and was a steady, solutions-oriented leader throughout the project."

Derek Law, Co-Founder
Slackers Brewing Co. Tenant Fit-Out
Austin, Texas

"Nina was a breath of fresh air. We interviewed multiple architects and Nina was the first one we felt really listened to what we were doing and who we are. Instead of getting a carbon copy of another brewery's design, we received an amazing unique design that fit us and our brand perfectly (and within a tough budget!). As a first time brick and mortar business owner, I had no clue how to navigate permits, site plans, etc, but Nina guided us through all of that and let me focus on my business. She is professional, smart, agile, and kind. Whether you have a big place planned or a small family business like ours, I couldn't recommend working with Nina enough."

David Hackbarth, Co-Founder
Invictus Martial Arts Tenant Fit-Out
Austin, Texas

"Nina does an amazing job balancing functionality and creative design! She listens to understand her client and skillfully crafts solutions to bring their dream to life. She walks with the client throughout the entire process helping manage deadlines, supports original design intent, and even assists in mitigating complications in the building process. Nina was outstanding to work with and I can't say enough good things about her and her quality of work. I'm grateful to not only know her as a skillful architect but also consider her a crucial partner in bringing our dream to life!"