Office
About
Founded in 2016 by principals Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden, Rivers Barden Architects design spaces that live in harmony with their surroundings and enrich daily life. Based in Houston, Texas and Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, the firm is led by Joe and Kevin, who first met as apprentices at The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture where they developed a shared commitment to uniting built and natural environments.
From urban neighborhoods to remote settings, our work amplifies the distinct character of each place through thoughtful use of daylight, carefully chosen materials, and a refined sense of proportion. Every design grows from a deep understanding of site, context, and the people it serves.
We approach each project as a collaboration, grounded in active listening and open dialogue. This process builds lasting relationships and ensures that the spaces we create are not only beautiful, but also personal, purposeful, and enduring.
Company Core Values
- Listening with Intention. Taking time to truly hear and understand our clients, colleagues, and community.
- Lifelong Learning. Embracing curiosity and continually expanding our knowledge, skills, and perspectives to strengthen every aspect of our work.
- Collaborative Spirit. Believing that great design is a team effort, valuing diverse voices and working together to achieve more than any individual could alone.
- Transparent Process. Communicating openly and clearly, ensuring that each step of the journey is understood and accessible.
- Passion for Design. Approaching every project with dedication, creativity, and care; striving for outcomes that are beautiful, purposeful, and enduring.
People
Joe Rivers, AIA, LEED AP bd+c
Joe bridges the gap between big-picture vision and the practical realities of construction, ensuring each project is both inspiring and buildable. As principal leading Rivers Barden Architects’ Houston office, he brings a grounded, hands-on perspective to every design challenge. His career began hands-on as a laborer and carpenter before returning to complete his architectural studies. This blend of field experience and design expertise allows him to negotiate solutions that honor both design intent and constructibility.
Joe holds a Master of Architecture from North Carolina State University, a Master of Construction Management from Western Carolina University, and a Bachelor of Environmental Design from Texas A&M University. His studies have taken him from the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture to the Prague Institute, and today he shares his passion for the profession as an Adjunct Faculty member at the University of Houston. He is a licensed architect in Texas.
At home, Joe and his wife have renovated the house he grew up in, where they now live with their son and two dogs. Away from the drafting table, he enjoys cooking and canoeing and is always looking for new ways to explore craft and connection.
Kevin Barden, AIA
Guided by a commitment to both vision and craft, Kevin shapes each project’s identity as it evolves from concept to completion. As principal leading Rivers Barden Architects’ Minnesota office, he brings a thoughtful, collaborative approach that balances design ambition with practical execution. His passion for architecture has led him to teach at the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, Prairie View A&M University, and the University of Houston; sharing his belief that design is as much about curiosity as it is about precision.
Before co-founding Rivers Barden Architects, Kevin worked with world-renowned practices including Atelier Peter Zumthor in Switzerland, Olson Kundig Architects in Seattle, and Feldman Architecture in San Francisco, as well as respected firms in Minnesota and Houston. He holds a Master of Architecture from the Chur Institute of Architecture in Switzerland in association with the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences in Dessau, Germany, and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture with a Minor in Mathematics from the University of Minnesota. His early training included an apprenticeship at Taliesin, the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture in Arizona and Wisconsin. Kevin is a licensed architect in California, Texas, South Carolina, and Minnesota.
When not in the studio, Kevin enjoys traveling near and far with his wife and spending time outdoors with their young son and daughter; whether exploring new cities or playing together at the local park.
Awards and Publications
September, 2025
AIA Minnesota, Homes By Architects Tour
May, 2024
PaperCity Magazine
May, 2023
Modern Luxury Interiors Texas
June, 2022
2022 Architizer A+ Awards
Unbuilt Sports and Recreation: Special Mention
October, 2018
2018 Design Communication Association Biennial Juried Exhibition
Martha Van Rensselaer Gallery, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
2018 Design Communication Conference
March, 2017
ArkxSite – Site Dwelling Competition
Honorable Mention
December, 2016
ArchDaily – 2016 Architecture Holiday Card Challenge
Favorite
Community + Nonprofit Organizations
Rivers Barden Architects works with and supports the following community and nonprofit organizations:
American Institute of Architects (AIA)
US Green Building Council (USGBC)
Kinetic Ensemble
Taliesin Fellows
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
1% Giving
Each year Rivers Barden Architects donates 1% of our revenue to non-profit organizations. This is something we believe in strongly to strengthen the community around us. Below is a list of organizations we have given to:
Kinetic Ensemble
Al-Khidmat Foundation
The School of Architecture (formerly Taliesin School of Architecture)
Contact
718 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77006
P.O. Box 1707
Minnetonka, MN 55345
(281) 845-9801
info@riversbarden.com
