The Studio

RAVEL is an Austin architecture practice led by Alex Finnell and Dan Fields.

To ravel means both to entangle and to disentangle. Even simple architectural problems turn out to be layered when you look closely. Our work is pulling those layers apart, understanding how they compete, and resolving them into buildings that feel clear and inevitable. The effort should be invisible.

We began in design-build, constructing our own designs, and we have developed projects of our own. That experience taught us how materials behave, what things really cost, and how every decision ripples through a project. Today we practice architecture, and bring that knowledge to our collaborations with exceptional builders and craftspeople.

Restraint is a discipline for us. Every space, material, and gesture has to earn its place.

Both partners stay personally involved in every project, from the first sketch through construction.

Alex Finnell

Partner | AIA

Alex Finnell brings over two decades of experience in architecture, construction, and integrated project delivery. As both an architect and builder, his work is grounded in a deep understanding of constructability, detailing, materials, and site-responsive design. His experience leading residential projects through both design and construction continues to inform RAVEL’s thoughtful and technically rigorous approach to architecture.

Alex earned his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture in 2001.

Dan Fields

Partner | Designer

Dan Fields focuses on residential architecture, development strategy, and construction-informed design processes. His work emphasizes thoughtful modern design, efficient project execution, and aligning architectural ideas with the practical realities of development and building. At RAVEL, Dan plays a central role in shaping the studio’s strategic and process-oriented approach to residential practice.

Dan earned his Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture in 2005.