Patrick Melancon and Monica Melancon combine their mutual passion and decades of experience in classical and contemporary design to explore and engage the architectural qualities of space. Located in the heart of Uptown New Orleans, Melancon Ortega Designs was founded in 2007 and specializes in both architecture and interior design. MOD is unique in that it combines new world design techniques with old world sensibilities in order to bring new construction and renovations to life.
PATRICK MELANCON, AIA
PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT
Patrick Melancon spent his youth growing up in New Iberia, Louisiana before going on to receive his bachelors at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette, in the heart of Cajun Country. Patrick then traveled north to study at Columbia University in New York City for Graduate School, and from there began his 26 years of practice in Architecture.
In the beginning of his career, Patrick worked as an intern for the firm of Anthony Cohn, who had been a senior architect with Robert A.M. Stern Architects prior. This firm specialized in high end residential, new construction, and renovations in New York metropolitan area.
Upon returning to Louisiana, Patrick worked as a Project Architect in Peter Trapolin's office from 1999-2004. Peter Trapolin was the most influential mentor of Patrick's professional development. While in Trapolin's office, Patrick was the Project Architect on a variety of projects ranging from new construction of the Rosemary Beach Hotel (AKA "The Pearl") to the restoration of The Wedding Cake House, a famed Victorian on St. Charles Avenue.
In 2004, Patrick ventured on to his own in order to begin his own private practice, and in 2007 he opened Melancon Ortega Designs with his sister, Designer Monica Melancon. The last 11 years have brought many exciting collaborations ranging from new construction of a 26,000 SF Northshore residence to residential restorations throughout the south to various boutique commercial projects.
While the origins of influences rooted in strict Classicism can always be found in his work, Patrick has enjoyed exploring the transitional and contemporary design with some of his more recent clientele.
MONICA MELANCON
PRINCIPAL INTERIOR DESIGNER
Having grown up in the small town of New Iberia, Louisiana, Monica was eager from a young age to explore the culture and beauty of her surroundings. She received her Bachelors from The University of Louisiana, Lafayette and then went on to receive her Masters from Louisiana State University before beginning her professional career.
In 2003 Monica began working for Gerrie Bremermann Designs, where she apprenticed for four years. While working for Bremermann, Monica continued to foster her passion for design as well as for the city and culture of New Orleans.
In 2007, Monica and her brother Patrick came together to create Melancon Ortega Designs, a firm that integrates exterior and interior beauty.
Monica continues to find passion in being inspired by her surroundings of New Orleans; mixing antiques from this region with European fabrics and contemporary accents.
ERIC MCCUTCHEON, AIA
ARCHITECT
Eric is a Delaware native who grew up on the Mid-Atlantic coast until moving to New Orleans in 2013 to receive his bachelors and masters degree in architecture from Tulane University with a minor in urban studies.
Eric joined the Melancon Ortega Designs family as an intern architect in 2017 during graduate studies and has now worked as a project architect for the firm since 2018.
His creativity, design, and spatial sensibilities stem from a background in classical ballet after training with The Ballet Theatre of Dover and later The American Ballet Theatre for the majority of his early life. While at Tulane University, Eric won the URBANbuild design competition in 2015 and received the New Orleans Residential Honor Award from the New Orleans AIA in 2016 for the URBANbuild12 house. Upon graduating, his thesis "Rebuilding the Barrier" earned him a spot in the Tulane Small Center Select Exhibition and was awarded the Lupo Metropolitan Design Award in 2018.
MICHAEL LABAUVE
ARCHITECTURAL ASSOCIATE
Originally from New Iberia, Louisiana, Michael received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Architecture from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He specializes in educational, commercial, hospitality, and single-family residential design with over seven years of professional experience. Michael joined the Melancon Ortega Designs family as an architectural designer in 2022.
Michael believes that well-planned architecture and design are not luxuries but rather necessities in today’s built environment. He is most passionate about the challenge of reimagining an existing space and exploring all of the possible approaches to maximize its full potential.