MARK SANTA MARIA
PRINCIPAL
Mark always thought he would be an artist...then he started designing and building furniture...then he fell in love with architecture and design. He worked in marketing, designing showrooms at Steelcase and learned to design interiors doing commercial, residential, hospitality and multi-family work with a variety of design firms and in private practice.
He and Kara started makrDESIGN to be an expression of their design sensibilities and bring their various talents together as a team.
A list of his personal experiences includes multi-family design at makrDESIGN, architecture and interiors and Hanover, corporate interior design at Kirksey and residential architecture in private practice.
Mark has a Masters of Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Design from the Kansas City Art Institute.
KARA ROCKEFELLER WILLIAMS
DIRECTOR OF INTERIORS
Upon graduating from the Art Institute of Houston in 1987, Kara began her journey into interiors with ISD Incorporated in Houston Texas, working on large corporate & commercial projects. An experience, which allowed her to cultivate amazing professional relationships that would forever continue to expand her career.
Key experiences and relationships followed throughout the years with contract positions with Ziegler Cooper, Janita Lo & Associates and McCoy.
The majority of her experience was established with Morris Architects in Houston, Texas working in the interiors department on commercial projects and tenant development.
Kara began her career in the Multi-Family sector in 2009. Prior to starting makrDESIGN, Kara was the Director of Interiors for Kathy Andrews Interiors.
Now, makrDESIGN is her home.
ALYSSA D LEGER, RID
INTERIOR DESIGNER
Alyssa earned a Masters of Architecture from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. After completing her degree in 2013, she secured employment in Houston, Texas and began working on high end residential projects for a design build firm. She gained work experience in project management, construction administration, construction documents, and specialized in interior detailing and finish selections.
Her interest in interior architecture and design led her to makrDESIGN in 2015, where she contributes to the overall design concept. In addition to her role as a designer, she assists with the budgeting and procurement of fixtures, artwork and furnishings.
NIKKI WILLIAMSON, RID
INTERIOR DESIGNER
Nikki received a BFA in Interior Design from The Art Institute of Atlanta. Upon graduating in 2003, she moved back to her hometown of Houston and worked for 12 years at a boutique hospitality design firm that specialized in restaurant design. She received her professional status as a Registered Interior Designer in 2010 while designing for the ever changing restaurant, bar and club market scene. Batsche Design, Inc. rewarded her with priceless close-up experience working in all facets of designing for the masses. Clients included everyone from big names to small. Independent local bakeries to McDonald’s remodels and numerous, Mexican restaurants…creativity was key.
Nikki took a few years off in 2013 upon the arrival of her daughter. She had some fun changing diapers before wanting to get back to work. She is ecstatic to be creating again with the superb team at makrDESIGN.
MARY HOLLIS CLARKSON
ASSOCIATE AIA, LEED
Mary Hollis Clarkson brings over a decade of experience as a design architect to her role at makrDESIGN, specializing in residential, hospitality, and boutique commercial. She embraces bold and innovative design ideas, but integrates with real-world architectural principles, making the solutions she designs timeless and multi-layered.
Among Mary Hollis’s most notable projects are South Congress Hotel, The Backyard Hotel, Texas PTA Headquarters, Charleston at Fannin Station, and custom residences for private clients.
Mary Hollis received her academic training in Architecture and Electronic Design from Savannah College of Art and Design; earning a Bachelor and Master degree of Architecture and Rising Star Award. In her time outside the office, Mary Hollis enjoys preserving and restoring her 1890’s Victorian home in the Historic Old Sixth Ward of Houston.
LAURIE ABBOTT
INTERIOR DESIGNER
Laurie graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Environmental Design degree in 2007. In the early years of her career, her passion for interior design lead her to Houston where she earned her Associate’s of Applied Science in Interior Design. She spent the next 8 years designing and merchandising primarily single family model homes for various homebuilders nationwide.
Her strong interest to pursue multifamily design brought her to makrDESIGN in 2019 where she specializes in FF&E selection and procurement. Laurie is proud to be part of the extremely talented makrDESIGN family.
SAMANTHA BRUEGGEMAN
INTERIOR DESIGNER
Samantha joins our team with over 7 years of commercial design experience specializing in corporate design. This experience has allowed her to bring a different design perspective to the multifamily projects that she works on.
When designing a space she thinks about all aspects: flow, function, spaciousness, patterns, colors, textures, and how the space will be lived in for years to come. Design enables her to positively impact someone’s day to day by transforming the environment they interact with.
XÓCHITL LOPEZ
INTERIOR DESIGNER
Xochitl’s design journey started after her children were off to college. In 2014 she graduated with an Associate of Applied Science in Interior Design and Professional Practices. She began working professionally as a single-family designer selecting finishes and creating presentations, allowing her to develop valuable knowledge in the selection, coordination & procurement of furniture, finishes & accessories. This experience gave Xochitl the opportunity to begin designing multi-family interiors of greater scope & complexity.
Being eager for a new beginning after close to 8 years at her old firm, she made the jump to makrDESIGN where she specializes in FF&E and procurement.
Xochitl feels very fortunate to be part of the makrDESIGN’s team.