METALAB, LLC
METALAB is a Houston-based multidisciplinary design firm founded in 2007 that delivers licensed architecture, creative infrastructure, and public art project management services to municipal, institutional, non-profit, and developer clients across multiple US states, supplemented by proprietary hardware products.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersHouston, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What METALAB, LLC does
METALAB, LLC is a Houston-based multidisciplinary design firm and licensed architecture practice founded in 2007, operating from an adaptive-reuse Art Deco building in the East End District. The firm operates three integrated practice areas: Architecture (design-forward commissions including adaptive re-use, historic preservation, and ground-up construction for institutional and community clients), Creative Infrastructure (public realm design for parks, waterways, bridges, and landscapes serving municipal and non-profit clients), and Public Art Project Management (Design Optimization and Construction Management services delivered directly to artists, museums, and commissioning agencies to translate artistic visions into permanent installations).
METALAB monetizes primarily through project-based professional services fees across these three practice areas, supplemented by direct sales of proprietary hardware products including the PV-Pod solar mounting system (US Utility Patent Pending), GroPOD raised-bed gardening system, juiceBOX mobile solar generator, SPACE off-grid solar container, and Ringo solar-powered pedestrian lighting. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; engagements are quoted per project. The firm's go-to-market is sales-led, relying on direct relationships with municipal governments, arts commissions, universities, and private developers rather than intermediaries. Its customer base spans Houston Arts Alliance, Houston Parks and Recreation, City of Palm Springs, Texas A&M University, University of Houston, Discovery Green, Preservation Houston, McCord Development, and Coca-Cola (via the Ekocenter collaboration).
The firm's technology stack centers on advanced 3D modeling, parametric design, and digital fabrication, combined with deep integration into Houston's regional industrial and craft fabrication base. METALAB is privately held by founding partners Andrew Vrana and Joe Meppelink, with no external funding rounds, parent company, or institutional investors identified in the source data. The team is small (1-10 employees) and has operated continuously for 17 years, building a portfolio of municipal, institutional, and public art projects across multiple US states.
METALAB, LLC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- METALAB, LLC
- Legal name
- METALAB, LLC
- Website
- https://metalabstudio.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- METALAB is a Houston-based multidisciplinary design firm founded in 2007 that delivers licensed architecture, creative infrastructure, and public art project management services to municipal, institutional, non-profit, and developer clients across multiple US states, supplemented by proprietary hardware products.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
METALAB, LLC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architectural Design Services
- NAICS
- Ornamental and Architectural Metal Products Manufacturing (33232), Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing (332322), Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3329)
- SIC
- Fabricated Structural Metal Products (3440), Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Products (3490), Sheet Metal Work (3444)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Aluminum Value-Added Components (Automotive, Aerospace, Packaging, Building Systems) (IMAKACAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Architectural & Miscellaneous Metals (Stairs, Railings, Ladders) (IMADACAE), Metal Roofing & Wall Panels (Architectural/Structural) (IMADACAG)
Keywords
Where METALAB, LLC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Houston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
METALAB, LLC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Architecture Services: Design-forward architectural solutions for programmatic, cultural, and economic opportunities in the built environment, including adaptive re-use projects, community, institutional, municipal, and non-profit projects.
- Creative Infrastructure: Design and project management services for public realm engagement including parks, waterways, bridges, landscapes, pavilions, and green technology solutions.
- Public Art Project Management: Design Optimization services (architectural/engineering documentation, cost control) and Construction Management services for public art projects, working directly with artists, museums, and commissioning agencies.
- Product Sales (PV-Pod, groPOD): Sale of proprietary products including PV-Pod solar mounting systems and groPOD raised bed gardening systems, with wholesale pricing available directly through Metalab.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
METALAB, LLC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
METALAB is a multidisciplinary design firm and licensed architecture practice that delivers Architecture (adaptive re-use, historic preservation, ground-up construction), Creative Infrastructure (parks, waterways, streets, bridges, landscapes), and Public Art Project Management (Design Optimization and Construction Management for artists, museums, and commissioning agencies). The firm also develops and sells proprietary hardware products including PV-Pod solar mounting systems, GroPOD gardening systems, juiceBOX mobile solar generators, Ringo solar lighting, and SPACE solar-powered containers.
Product overview
METALAB operates as a multidisciplinary design firm with three core service areas: Architecture (design-forward solutions for commercial, institutional, and adaptive re-use projects), Creative Infrastructure (public realm engagement for parks and municipalities), and Public Art Services (Design Optimization and Construction Management for artists). The firm also develops proprietary products including PV-Pod (solar panel mounting system), GroPOD (gardening system), juiceBOX (mobile solar generator), Ringo (solar lighting), and SPACE (off-grid shipping container office). All offerings leverage advanced 3D modeling, parametric design, and digital fabrication technologies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Architecture Services Design-forward architectural solutions focusing on programmatic, cultural, and economic opportunities in the built environment, with expertise in adaptive re-use projects, historic contexts, and ground-up construction. Targeted at municipal, institutional, non-profit, and commercial clients seeking elegant, unexpected design that leverages 3D modeling and Houston-area fabrication capabilities.
- Creative Infrastructure Services Public realm engagement services for parks, waterways, streets, bridges, and landscapes, combining functionality, sustainability, and artistic design for non-profit, institutional, and municipal clients. Includes custom elements such as park buildings, bridges, lookouts, gateways, and memorials.
- Public Art Project Management Comprehensive public art project management delivered as two service packages: Design Optimization (complete architectural and engineering documentation, critical path timeline, cost control documents, sourcing of specialized components and fabricators) and Construction Management (subcontractor control, artist liaison to architects, engineers, contractors, building owners, and code officials). Targeted at artists, museums, and commissioning agencies.
- PV-Pod Solar Mounting System High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) vessel used as ballast for mounting single PV modules to flat rooftops. Provides quick and flexible solar panel installation without traditional rack systems, with wholesale pricing available directly through METALAB.
- GroPOD Raised Bed Gardening System Rotomolded polyethylene raised bed gardening system that is inexpensive, movable, reusable, and high quality, designed for urban growing applications including community gardens, commercial developments, and private home gardens.
- juiceBOX Mobile Solar Generator Up-cycled 20ft x 8ft shipping container with proprietary solar rack producing up to 14kW of solar power, self-contained battery end-cap, and integrated renewable power management system. Functions as a mobile solar generator and work/storage space.
- Ringo Solar Pedestrian Lighting Solar-powered LED pedestrian lighting system integrated with market kiosks and shade structures, designed for public realm deployments.
- SPACE Solar Powered Adaptive Container Solar Powered Adaptive Container for Everyone — prototypical off-grid field office using reused shipping containers with a fold-out solar rack system featuring 20 panels on the roof, developed in partnership with Mobile Grid.
Companies that use METALAB, LLC
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
METALAB, LLC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
METALAB, LLC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- CODAworxminorMetalab is recognized as part of the CODAworx network of fabricators trusted by artists for translating vision into form for public art installations.
- Houston Arts AlliancecoreMetalab works with Houston Arts Alliance on public art commissions including Radiant Fountains at Houston Airport and various city art collection pieces.
- Weingarten Art GroupcoreCollaborated on Discovery Green's Art Lab fellowship program, supporting artist Karen Navarro's Chroma Collective project.
- Asakura RobinsonminorLandscape architecture collaboration on Dow Elementary Park renovation project.
- McCord DevelopmentminorCommissioned Generation Park Performance Pavilion for mixed-use development near Lake Houston.
- Nelson Byrd WoltzminorLandscape architecture collaboration on Memorial Park Pavilions project in Houston.
- Overland PartnersminorDesign architect collaboration on Quinta Mazatlan Superstructure project.
- Four and OneminorLandscape architecture collaboration on Trail of the Lakes and James Driver Park projects.
- University of Houston Green Building ComponentsminorGrant support for PV-Pod and groPOD product development programs.
- Mobile GridminorPartnership on SPACE and Ekocenter solar container product development.
- RE:site (Norman Lee and Shane Allbritton)coreFrequent collaboration with RE:site artists on numerous public art installations including Vessels, Memory Cloud, Radiance, Woven Waves, and many others.
- Coca-Cola CompanyminorEkocenter project developed with Coca-Cola, DEKA, and NRG for mobile grid and water purification solutions.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
METALAB, LLC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Page (Page Southerland Page): Texas-rooted architecture and engineering firm with strong civic, educational, and cultural portfolios. Comparable in Texas-anchored civic work, though larger and more diversified than METALAB.
Broad incumbents
- Snøhetta: International architecture and design practice with a cross-disciplinary model spanning architecture, landscape, and public art/identity. Larger and broader than METALAB, but operates on the same integrated-design thesis that distinguishes METALAB.
Direct peers
- SWA Group: Landscape architecture and urban design firm with deep park, waterfront, and public-realm practice. Comparable to METALAB in creative-infrastructure scope and ability to deliver large civic projects across the US.
- Asakura Robinson: Houston-based landscape architecture and urban design firm. METALAB is named as a collaboration partner on Dow Elementary Park; both firms serve Houston municipal/institutional clients with overlapping public-realm and creative-infrastructure scopes.
- Field Operations: Landscape architecture and urban design firm known for large public-park and waterfront projects. Comparable to METALAB on creative-infrastructure commissions and shared public-sector client base.
- RE:site Collective: Houston-based public art studio run by Norman Lee and Shane Allbritton. Closest direct peer: METALAB has collaborated with RE:site on numerous installations (Vessels, Memory Cloud, Radiance, Woven Waves), and RE:site operates at the same intersection of art, fabrication, and public realm.
- Lake|Flato Architects: San Antonio-based architecture firm renowned for civic, educational, and adaptive-reuse projects. Comparable to METALAB in Texas-anchored practice, public/institutional client base, and emphasis on contextual and sustainable design.
- Overland Partners: San Antonio/Texas-based architecture firm with deep public-realm, civic, and cultural project work. Directly comparable to METALAB in scale, geography, and the mix of architecture and public-institution clients; explicitly named as a METALAB design collaborator.
- Nelson Byrd Woltz: Landscape architecture firm with significant park, memorial, and public-realm portfolio. METALAB is named as a collaborator on Memorial Park Pavilions; both firms work at the intersection of landscape, architecture, and public art.
Others
- CODAworx: Network and marketplace for public art commissions, fabricators, and design professionals. METALAB is listed in the CODAworx fabricator network; CODAworx is an ecosystem peer that channels similar public-art opportunities.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
METALAB, LLC social profiles
Digital presenceMETALAB, LLC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
METALAB, LLC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
METALAB, LLC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
METALAB, LLC M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about METALAB, LLC
What does METALAB, LLC do?
METALAB is a multidisciplinary design firm and licensed architecture practice that delivers Architecture (adaptive re-use, historic preservation, ground-up construction), Creative Infrastructure (parks, waterways, streets, bridges, landscapes), and Public Art Project Management (Design Optimization and Construction Management for artists, museums, and commissioning agencies). The firm also develops and sells proprietary hardware products including PV-Pod solar mounting systems, GroPOD gardening systems, juiceBOX mobile solar generators, Ringo solar lighting, and SPACE solar-powered containers.
Is METALAB, LLC a public or private company?
METALAB, LLC is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was METALAB, LLC founded?
METALAB, LLC was founded in 2007. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is METALAB, LLC based?
METALAB, LLC is headquartered in Houston, United States, in the North America region.
How does METALAB, LLC make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Architecture Services are the primary driver. The others are creative Infrastructure, public Art Project Management and product Sales (PV-Pod, groPOD).
Who are METALAB, LLC's main competitors?
Page (Page Southerland Page) is listed as a regional player. Snøhetta is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are SWA Group, Asakura Robinson, Field Operations, RE:site Collective, Lake|Flato Architects, Overland Partners and Nelson Byrd Woltz. CODAworx is listed as an others.
Does METALAB, LLC have an API?
No public API is recorded for METALAB, LLC.
What industry is METALAB, LLC in?
METALAB, LLC's product category is Architectural Design Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAKACAM, Aluminum Value-Added Components (Automotive, Aerospace, Packaging, Building Systems), with a secondary code of IMADACAE, Architectural & Miscellaneous Metals (Stairs, Railings, Ladders). Its NAICS code is 33232 and its SIC code is 3440.