MODA
Let's turn air into solid.
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MODA is a principal-led practice. Nina Murrell works directly with clients to lead complex, multi-stakeholder projects from early definition through completion, ensuring continuity, accountability, and clarity throughout.
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Our work spans arts and culture, education, and commercial projects, including music venues, museums and galleries, schools, and a range of commercial project types including mixed-use, retail, restaurant, workplace, and industrial. Our role is to bring clarity to complex initiatives by aligning vision, stakeholders, and resources to move projects forward with confidence.
What distinguishes MODA is our focus on the earliest and most critical stages of project development. We define what should be built, why it matters, and how it can be successfully delivered. From there, we remain a consistent partner through execution, leading teams and decisions to ensure projects stay aligned with client goals.
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MODA exists to turn ideas into places that work.
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MODA | Murrell Office for Development and Architecture LLC is a woman-owned small business based in Austin, Texas.
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Nina Murrell is an architect, cultural strategist, and research leader focused on shaping projects at the intersection of arts, education, and community development.
As the founding principal of MODA, she leads project formation, program management, and design for complex, mission-driven and commercial projects. Her work helps clients translate vision into clear, actionable, and deliverable outcomes.
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A Rice University graduate and Fulbright Scholar, Nina brings more than 20 years of experience leading projects for universities, museums, cultural institutions, and commercial clients. Prior to founding MODA, she led arts, culture, and education practice areas within nationally recognized design firms.
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Her work is informed by a strong research background, including studies on audience engagement, cultural facility performance, and regional growth. Most recently, she led a multi-year CREW Network research initiative examining development trends across the Austin metropolitan region.
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Nina is a certified facilitator recognized for guiding diverse stakeholder groups to consensus and shared vision. She brings a collaborative, structured approach that helps clients move from idea to implementation with confidence.
Services
MODA provides integrated services that guide projects from early concept through completion. We combine strategic planning, program management, and architectural services to ensure projects are not only well-designed, but achievable, fundable, and successfully delivered.
Project Formation & Strategic Alignment
We define projects before design begins — aligning vision, stakeholders, program, and resources to create a clear, actionable path forward.
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Includes:
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Visioning + stakeholder engagement
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Program development + space planning
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Facilities assessments + feasibility
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Budget alignment + funding strategy
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Capital planning coordination
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Market positioning alignment
Outcome:
A project that is clearly defined, aligned, and ready to move forward.
Let's turn air into solid.
Program Management & Project Delivery
We lead projects through complexity with disciplined execution, guiding teams, budgets, and schedules from concept through construction.
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Includes:
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Project delivery strategy
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Team assembly + coordination
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Budget and schedule management
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Contractor + consultant coordination
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Risk management + decision facilitation
Outcome:
Projects delivered on time, on budget, and aligned with client goals.
Architecture & Experience Design
We design environments that reflect each client’s mission, identity, and operational needs—translating vision into spaces that support how people learn, gather, work, and experience place.
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Includes:
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Concept design rooted in mission and use
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Integration of program, operations, and user experience
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Design development and documentation
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Coordination with engineering disciplines
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Construction administration
Outcome:
Places that are distinctive, functional, and deeply aligned with client purpose.
Education + Culture
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Residential
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