LPK Architects

After two educations at Mississippi State University, the first one “social”, the second one “academic”, Bob Luke brought his family back home to Mississippi to practice architecture. In 1986, he started Robert Luke Architect with a desire to offer a new way of doing business with a broader scope of services.  He had been a stockholder in another local A/E firm and had a desire to be more entrepreneurial in his approach. 

Early on upon returning home, he kept reading about architectural firms participating in Design/Build and Construction Management. It was a trend that was sweeping across the nation that allowed for a more consistent design and construction approach with a focus on improved quality, budget control and reduction in construction time. “After a successful project with the Lauderdale County School District, one of the first and best things I did was ask Jim Smith to join our staff to handle construction related activities,” said Bob Luke, owner. “We actually are licensed by the State of Mississippi in the area of construction management, one of the few architectural firms in the state that offers this approach.” 

“We now have offices in Starkville and Gulfport, as well as Meridian. We are fortunate to have many talented people, including resident architects, in each office.  While we are fortunate to work with good people, we strive to keep them, which includes two architects who work remotely with us from California and Boston every day.  Most of our staff of 15, have worked with our LPK family for years.  We have done work in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana and Mississippi; from the Golden Triangle to the Gulf Coast. However, the majority of our work is in the immediate area surrounding each of the offices.

Some of my favorite projects have been the Mississippi State University Football stadium expansion, West Mt. Moriah Baptist Church and the MAX.  The MAX, a 50,000 square foot facility, showcases Mississippi’s arts and entertainment legacy, telling our story about our creative legends and inspiring tomorrow’s artists.

It has been interesting watching Meridian attempt to get over the tipping point for success over the years.  Today, we have more going for us than we have had since we moved our family here in the 1980’s.  There have been countless marketing studies and experts called in to help us determine how to be successful as a community.  The enemy of growth is not the competition from outside…it is the enemy from within.  We must be true to ourselves and focus on our strengths and assets. Working together for the betterment of our city and the surrounding area, we are the center of our regional trade area.

Upon opening my own business years ago, I was asked to join the Chamber of Commerce. Looking back, I can confirm that it has been one of the best opportunities to meet and work with people who truly care about each other and understand about giving back to the community. We must continue to grow, involve more members, and be the positive voice for the community,” stated Luke.

When asked about advice to people considering opening their own business, Luke offers these tips; do your homework, know your market and your niche in that market.  Make sure you are capitalized for the long haul and be ready to work harder than you have ever worked.  You never know what the future holds. 

LPK Architects has been fortunate to have had the best clients through the years. They once did a small planning project for a client who had dreams of creating a small family business. The client decided not to move ahead with the project, but several years later the patriarch of that family called and said, “We always remembered you had been so nice to us, made us feel important and gave us a quality study at a fair price.”  Then he said, “Would you like to design a hotel for me and some business partners?”

LPK Architects; Architecture, Interior Design, Planning, and Construction Management.

LPK Architects
821 22nd Ave., Meridian, MS