From the beginning, Maggie Wylie understood architecture to be both an art and a discipline. “I was raised by an engineer and an artist,” she explains. “Creative exploration and precision problem-solving carried equal weight in my house growing up.”
That daily balance shaped how Wylie sees the world and, ultimately, how she designs within it. It led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in architecture at the University of Arizona before beginning her professional career in Austin.
Wylie’s formative years were spent working in design-build environments and construction project management, experiences that grounded her design instincts in real-world constraints. “I saw firsthand the challenges ideas face as they move from paper to construction,” she says. “I also witnessed how often clients, architects, and builders failed to truly collaborate, too frequently talking past one another instead of working toward a shared goal.”
That experience led Wylie to found ĒSO, an Austin-based architecture and design studio built around a deceptively simple premise: Architecture should be joyful, collaborative, and clear. From the outset, ĒSO set out to realign a traditionally fragmented process by bringing design and construction together from day one. “ĒSO takes a holistic approach to architecture,” Wylie explains, “pairing strong conceptual thinking with deep construction knowledge to guide informed, value-based decisions from concept through completion.”
The firm’s name reflects that philosophy. ĒSO is derived from the Greek root meaning “within,” a reference to the studio’s commitment to getting to the core of every project by designing dynamic residential and commercial environments from the inside out. “We partner imagination with expertise,” Wylie says, “to create solutions that are both beautifully designed and rooted in practical reality.”
Collaboration is central to ĒSO’s work. The studio’s open, transparent approach aligns architect, builder, and client from the very beginning, establishing a shared understanding that carries through every phase of a project. Wylie and her team serve as trusted advisors throughout, helping clients navigate complexity with clarity and confidence. The goal, she notes, is to transform what can be an overwhelming experience into one that feels calmer, more intentional, and manageable.
ĒSO’s work can be found across Central Texas and has been featured in Dwell Magazine, Austin Home Magazine, and on the American Institute of Architects Austin Homes Tour. Wylie herself has been recognized by the Texas Society of Architects and included in Spectacular Women of Architecture and Design.
At its core, ĒSO is guided by the belief that architecture isn’t about imposing a signature style. It’s about listening, balancing, and problem-solving with care. The result is work that is practical and poetic, fun and functional, helping clients create thoughtful, transformative, and beautifully balanced spaces that bring a sense of elegance to everyday life.
ESO-Arch.com | @ESO_architecture
Bridle Path Residence and Casita
The ĒSO-designed Bridle Path Residence reimagines a 1950s split-level with a modern approach that balances compact private spaces and generous living areas, maximizing daily use while minimizing overall square footage. The result is a 2,800-square-foot main residence paired with a 400-square-foot detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU), unified by a bold yet refined material palette. By utilizing the existing carport for added space, the design gained breathing room without compromising outdoor areas or site character. The project was shaped through close collaboration between architect, client, and contractor from start to finish.