Our Story
For more than three and a half decades, Hornbeck Architects has stood as a boutique architectural firm in Southeastern Michigan, transforming visions into stunning realities. Our portfolio ranges from charming front porch additions to grand custom homes, cultural centers, renowned local country clubs, and a state-of-the-art professional office building on the historic Woodward Avenue.
Founded in 1988 by Lawrence Hornbeck in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, the firm began its journey as Lawrence C. Hornbeck & Associates. With two decades of experience from esteemed firms like Anderson-Reinke and Associates and Alexander Bogaerts & Associates, Lawrence brought his expertise in single-family residential design to the forefront.
Our story took a new turn in 1998, on our 10th anniversary, when we moved to larger offices in Troy. It was then that Lawrence's son, Christopher Hornbeck, joined the firm. Under his father's mentorship, Christopher quickly became an integral part of our success. During the economic recession in 2007, Christopher expanded his architectural and business acumen at URS Corporation, a top design firm, as Project Manager and Project Architect for a variety of projects.
We celebrated our 25th anniversary in 2013, marking Christopher's return to the firm and his rise to principal. Rebranded as Hornbeck Architects, we continued our tradition of excellence. In 2023, we celebrated our 35th anniversary by moving our offices back to Bloomfield Hills, honoring a legacy of architectural excellence and client satisfaction.
Our People
Christopher Hornbeck, AIA
President / Architect
Chris is a Registered Architect with extensive experience across all areas of architectural practice. He has been at the forefront of hundreds of custom new homes, home additions, and renovations. His professional background also includes distinctive projects in air transportation, healthcare, education, water treatment, retail, and professional office sectors.
Chris holds degrees from Lawrence Technological University's College of Engineering and College of Architecture and Design, earning an Associate of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1999, a Bachelor of Architecture (summa cum laude) in 2003, and a Master of Architecture in 2005. He gained his architectural registration in 2008 and is licensed in Michigan.
He is actively engaged in his profession and community, having taught architecture and structural analysis at Baker College for over five years, authored articles for Rochester Suburban Lifestyles, served on a Board of Directors, assisted in the development of the Architectural Registration Exam (ARE), and is a member of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Southeastern Michigan, and the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Personal:
Chris resides in Oakland Township with his wife, Jessica, and their two younger children, while their eldest child lives in Rochester. The family's connection to Oakland Township dates back to 1944 when Chris's great-grandparents acquired land to establish a fruit farm. In 2019, Chris and Jessica purchased the family estate, where they have meticulously renovated and enlarged the home and reestablished a garden, orchard, and vineyard.
Lawrence Hornbeck, BA
Architectural Design
Lawrence, with nearly half a century of architectural experience, is now semi-retired, offering design direction and peer reviews. His career commenced in 1966 at the renowned Anderson-Reinke and Associates in Farmington Hills, concurrent with his studies at Lawrence Technological University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. He credits his profound knowledge to the mentorship of Elmer Reinke and Gordon Anderson during those years.
Following a 20-year tenure at Anderson-Reinke, Lawrence led the single-family residential division at the prominent Detroit-area firm, Alexander Bogaerts & Associates in Bloomfield Hills. In 1988, he established his own practice, Lawrence C. Hornbeck and Associates.
Throughout his career, Lawrence has designed multiple Blue Ribbon-winning homes featured in the BIA Parade of Homes. His work has been featured in 'Style' and 'Better Homes and Gardens' magazines, and he has been highlighted in the 'Community Lifestyles' newspaper. Lawrence has earned accolades for his outstanding construction documents from top industry partners. His leadership in residential design while at leading Detroit architectural firms has been widely recognized, and his alma mater, Lawrence Technological University, is listed among 'America's Best Architectural Schools'.