SOUTHERN ARCHITECTURE, pllc was started by Clay Cottingham in 2022.

Clay Cottingham was raised in the Florida panhandle, spending much of his youth on the beaches and back bays of the Gulf Coast, and exploring building projects along the emerging 30A corridor. He enjoyed drawing, building, and spending time on the water or at his family farms in South Carolina where he first became aware of the connection between people and their land. These outdoor experiences were influential in establishing his interest in straightforward architecture that connects people to the native landscape, and ultimately led him to study at Mississippi State University.

 In Starkville, he became involved on campus through his fraternity and spent his free time exploring the Cotton District or attending MSU sporting events. Clay was awarded the AIA Henry Adams Certificate and graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture in 2015.

 Since graduating Clay has honed his craft at architecture firms in Central Texas, creating architecture that is motivated by the unique cultural and physical characteristics of the place as well as local building vernacular. He has worked on civic, educational, hospitality, residential, and development projects of all scales throughout Texas, the American south, and Mexico.

 Since 2021, Clay has resided at his country home east of Austin and is an active member of King’s Cross Reformed Church. He enjoys reading, woodworking, exploring Texas, as well as hunting down elk in Colorado.

 Clay is a registered architect in the State of Texas, a member of the AIA, as well as a LEED Accredited Professional in Building Design & Construction.