About us

Sterling and Kap

Sterling and Kap

Architects

Architects

After beginning his career working for other architects, Waco native Sterling Thompson founded his own architecture firm, Sterling Architects, in 1986. Our company is committed to creating innovative spaces that enrich human experience and enhance the surrounding community.  For every project, we strive to accomplish the vision and needs of our clients by designing spaces that are not only beautiful and functional but also work for our clients financially.  In 2020, Scott Kapczynski became a partner and the company was renamed to Sterling and Kap Architects.  

Meet Our Team

Sterling Thompson

Founding Partner

Scott Kapczynski

Partner

Elijah Burns

Senior Designer

Michelle Ascencio

Associate Designer

John Eaton

Associate Designer

Nicole Jackson

Administrative Manager

LET'S BUILD SOMETHING GREAT. TOGETHER.

OFFICE LOCATION

BUSINESS HOURS

2416 Columbus Ave

Waco, TX

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t: 254.756.2311        

f: 254.756.2577

nicole@sterlingandkap.com

BUSINESS HOURS

Mon – Thu: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Fri:              8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Sat – Sun:   Closed

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© 2020 STERLING AND KAP LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

© 2020 STERLING AND KAP LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Sterling Thompson, AIA, NCARB

Founding Partner

Sterling was born in New York City and was raised in Waco, Texas. Sterling obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design from Texas A & M University’s, School of Architecture in 1979. He has been a licensed architect since 1985.

Prior to forming Sterling and Kap Architects, Sterling worked at Jack Compton & Associates from 1977-1980, The City of Waco Planning Department, The Architectural Collaberative LLC, and Joe Raso & Associates Architects, Inc. in Waco, Texas from 1981–1986. 

Sterling has had an extensive presence in the Waco community as a past president of Waco Planning & Zoning Board, American Institute of Architects (Waco Chapter), and American Diabetes Association (Waco Chapter). Sterling has been a past Board Member of Waco Housing Finance Committee, Mission Waco Neighborhood Improvement Committee, and City of Waco Long Range Planning Committee; and has also been a past president of the Waco Chapter of the American Diabetes Foundation, and Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. He is also a founding Board Member of Central Texas Astronomical Association.

Scott Kapczynski, AIA, NCARB

Partner

Scott was raised in the small Czech town of West, TX and has lived in the Central Texas area for most of his life.  His hobbies include reading, painting, and singing baritone-tenor in his church’s choir.  He is also an avid cinema buff with extensive knowledge of film history. Scott is well traveled, having been to all 50 of the United States as well as Canada, Mexico, Italy, and the United Kingdom. He is the current Section Director of AIA Waco, a Section of the Texas Society of Architects. 

Education: 

  • Texas A&M University – College of Architecture
    • Master of Architecture (2009)
    • Bachelor of Environmental Design (2007)

Work Experience:

Scott obtained his architectural license, in 2017 and has been designing since 2009 where he has worked on a variety of projects ranging from commercial, residential, educational, and religious. He has also worked on a number of historic preservation projects including the IOOF Administration Building & Event Center in Corsicana, TX, the addition to the Waco Hippodrome Theatre in Waco, TX, the restoration of the Freestone County Courthouse district courtroom in Fairfield, TX, and the Magnolia Table restaurant in Waco, TX which was featured on an episode of the HGTV show Fixer Upper.

Professional Organizations:

  • American Institute of Architects
  • National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
  • Texas Society of Architects
  • AIA Waco — Section Director (2023 – Current)

Elijah Burns

Senior Designer since 2007

Though Elijah first visited Texas just before college he has now called Waco home for 15 years.  He enjoys creating woodworking projects in his spare time and occasionally works with other forms of art.

Education: 

  • Baylor University, Bachelor of Arts in Architecture (2007)

Work Experience:

14+ years of experience in the design profession.

Michelle Ascencio

Associate & Designer since 2018

Michelle was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and has lived in Mexico and Spain. She is fluent in English and Spanish, and her hobbies include photography, videography, digital editing, and graphic design.

Education: 

  • Woodbury University – School of Architecture
    • Bachelor of Architecture (2016)

Work Experience:

Michelle has worked on a variety of projects ranging from commercial, educational, and residential. She has worked on a number of college student housing projects for Arizona State University students and Baylor University Students in Waco, Texas.

John Eaton

John Eaton, Assoc. AIA

Design Associate

John was born in Houston, Texas and raised in the Waco area. He attended the University of Texas at Arlington in 1993-1994 and Sam Houston State University in 1995-1997, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Technology-Design & Development. John has over 25 years of experience in the building design profession.

Prior to joining Sterling and Kap Architects, John worked at Abacus Engineering, Inc. from 2005-2022, and with Sterling Architects 7 years prior. He has worked on a variety of design projects in the Central Texas area including new and remodeled apartments, homes, churches, hotels, offices, restaurants and shopping centers. He has also worked as a structural design consultant on projects including the Fort Hood Memorial in Killeen, TX, the additions to the Historic Waco Hippodrome Theatre in Waco, TX, the Mooreville Methodist Church near Chilton, TX and the facility for Pioneer Steel & Pipe Co. in Waco, TX.

Interests:
Attending sporting events, fishing, hunting, dominoes, occasional wood-working projects and tinkering on guitar or piano.

Associations:

  • Professional member of American Institute of Building Design
  • Associate member of American Institute of Architects
  • Supporting member of the Texas State Historical Association

Nicole Jackson

Administrative Manager since 2015

Nicole was raised in a small town in the Appalachian Mountains. She lived in Eastern North Carolina for 20 years; however, she has called Central Texas her home for the past 10 years. Her hobbies include cooking, decorating, gardening and hiking. She loves nature. Nicole has traveled to 25 different nations of the world. The diversity of each culture has taught her many valuable lessons which have enabled her to work with people of differing backgrounds.

Education: 

  • Mountain Empire Community College
  • Fred Pryor Learning Solutions
  • McLennan Community College Continuing Education.

Work Experience:

Nicole has an incredibly diverse background. She has over 20 years of experience in management positions. Nicole was an event planner/coordinator from 2002 – 2012 in North Carolina. She coordinated and managed conferences, meetings, and parties. Additionally, from 2002 – 2010 she was a part-time counselor for a local Pregnancy Care Center that counseled and helped teens learn how to make positive life decisions through various programs offered. From 2013-2014 she was a counselor for Methodist Children’s Home in Waco, TX. From 2015 to current, Nicole has been the administrative manager for Sterling & Kap Architects, LLC. She is highly trained in interpersonal skills, communication skills, leadership skills, and organization.