• A native of North Louisiana, Lee Ledbetter founded his New Orleans–based practice in 1996 after studying and working on the East Coast and in Chicago. His work is conceived holistically—from site to interior— marrying architecture, interiors, fine art, and historic preservation in a way that broadens the influence of design beyond any single discipline.

    Lee earned his master’s degree from Princeton University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia, also spending a year at the Institute for Architecture and Urban Studies in New York. He has served as a visiting instructor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation and at Tulane University School of Architecture. In 2018, he was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows.

    His award-winning projects span retail, hospitality, civic, and residential work, including restorations of architecturally significant 19th- and 20th-century homes. His designs have been featured in Architecture, Architectural Digest, Architectural Record, Elle Décor, Galerie, House & Garden, Interior Design, The New York Times, and other national publications. The firm’s work is the subject of The Art of Place: Lee Ledbetter Architecture and Interiors (Rizzoli, 2019).

    Deeply engaged in the arts community, Lee has designed residences for collectors, civic and commercial galleries, and spaces supporting emerging artists. His civic service includes leadership roles with the New Orleans Museum of Art, Contemporary Arts Center, Louisiana Museum Foundation, Longue Vue House and Gardens, and the Cooley House Foundation. From 2014 to 2022, he served on the Central Business District Architectural Review Committee of the Historic District Landmarks Commission, helping shape New Orleans’ evolving built environment.

    Across all his projects, Lee’s breadth of expertise enables him to create immersive environments where architecture and landscape, interior and art, past and present are integrated into a precisely choreographed whole. Through this holistic methodology, his work blurs disciplinary boundaries and demonstrates the transformative power of integrative design.

  • Chris Loudon joined Lee Ledbetter & Associates in 2005. A registered architect with over twenty-five years of experience, he brings expertise in architecture, construction, and cabinetmaking to a broad range of public, commercial, and high-end residential projects. At the firm, he is responsible for research, design, detailing, and project management.

    Mr. Loudon studied architecture at the Georgia Institute of Technology and gained hands-on construction and cabinetmaking experience running a custom furniture and renovation business in Atlanta. He further honed his skills as a trim carpenter and cabinetmaker on high-end residences across Connecticut, New York, and the Bahamas.

    Key projects include the Stallings St. Claude Center, Robert E. Smith Library, St. Roch Market, Ledgerock Residence, Bienville Houses, Fisk-Hopkins Residence, and most recently, a Sculpture Pavilion for the expansion of the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden.

    Before joining Lee Ledbetter & Associates, Mr. Loudon worked at Gray Organschi Architecture in New Haven, CT, where he served as project manager and designer on small commercial projects and highly detailed residential work.

  • Tarra Cotterman joined Lee Ledbetter & Associates in 2002. She brings over twenty-five years of experience in programming, site analysis, design, project development, and construction administration. Ms. Cotterman holds a bachelor’s degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a master’s degree from Yale University.

    Her experience spans a wide range of project types across Louisiana, Georgia, Tennessee, New York, and Connecticut, including both renovations and new construction. Her expertise ranges from intricate custom design work to the efficient planning of large, multi-service public projects. She is a registered architect in Louisiana.

    Key projects include St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church, Robert E. Smith Community Library, Avery Island Residence, Hickory Residence, the Joan Mitchell Center Artists’ Studio Building, and the Chestnut Street Residence. Prior to joining Lee Ledbetter & Associates, Ms. Cotterman worked at Gray Organschi Architects in New Haven, Connecticut, focusing on design-intensive residential projects.

  • Paul Zansler joined Lee Ledbetter & Associates in 2018. With over twenty years of interior design experience, he specializes in project management, material and product selection, specification, and custom furniture and rug design. Mr. Zansler holds a Bachelor of Interior Design from Louisiana State University.

    He has worked on a wide range of residential and commercial interiors across New York, Connecticut, Florida, Tennessee, Colorado, Louisiana, and Tokyo. Key projects include the Fisk-Hopkins Residence, a Smoky Mountains Cabin Retreat, and a Carlyle Hotel pied-à-terre in New York. Prior to joining Lee Ledbetter & Associates, Mr. Zansler worked at PERIOD, LLC in New York City, contributing to diverse residential and commercial interior projects.

  • Margarette Weaver joined Lee Ledbetter & Associates in 2018. She has practiced architecture since 2008 and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture with a minor in Architectural History from Louisiana State University.

    Ms. Weaver has experience providing full design services across a variety of project types in both the private and public sectors, including new residences, additions, film studios, and court facilities. Since joining Lee Ledbetter & Associates, she has focused primarily on residential renovations and new construction. Previously, she worked in the Washington, D.C. area and Austin, Texas, contributing to a wide range of residential, commercial, and public projects.

  • Randle Looney joined Lee Ledbetter & Associates in 2021. With eight years of experience, he has worked on projects nationwide, contributing to all phases of the interior design process. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture from Mississippi State University, with a minor in Design.

  • Michael Bailey joined Lee Ledbetter & Associates in 2021. He has four years of experience spanning all phases of design and construction on residential renovation and new construction projects. He earned his Master of Architecture from Tulane University School of Architecture in 2021.

    Before pursuing architecture, Michael earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business and Accounting from Auburn University in 2015 and worked for Ernst & Young for three years.

  • Calla Bowen joined Lee Ledbetter & Associates in 2025. An experienced Office Manager, she brings a keen eye for detail and a passion for supporting creative work. At the intersection of structure and design, Calla keeps the fast-paced environment of an architecture and interior design studio running smoothly—streamlining operations, coordinating schedules, and ensuring day-to-day efficiency.

    Known for her calm demeanor, organizational skill, and collaborative approach, she develops systems that allow teams to focus on their craft. Calla values kindness, clear communication, and a workplace culture that balances productivity with inspiration.