Marlon & Ati Blackwell

About Marlon & Ati Blackwell

Marlon & Ati Blackwell are behind Marlon Blackwell Architects, based in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Marlon Blackwell founded Marlon Blackwell Architects.

On episode 12 of NWA Founders, the Northwest Arkansas business podcast, published April 15, 2025, they shared the story of the business. The conversation runs 2 hr 3 min. What happens when design, grit, and place come together to form a global architectural voice rooted in Northwest Arkansas? In this episode of NWA Founders, we sit down with Marlon and Ati Blackwell, founders of the award-winning firm Marlon Blackwell Architects, to explore how they grew a boutique firm into a nationally recognized name, all while staying anchored in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Jump into the conversation

1. 0:10Humble beginnings and the philosophy behind their design approach
2. 10:00Marlon’s unconventional path from Bible salesman to architect
3. 20:00Early struggles: job-hunting with $7 in your pocket
4. 30:00Meeting Ati, long-distance collaboration, and joining forces in Fayetteville
5. 40:00From hand-drawn sketches to scaling up: the early years of growth
6. 50:00The “Tipping Point” moment: national recognition and major awards

All 10 chapters, with the transcript →

About Marlon Blackwell Architects

• Practice est. 1990
• Architecture, Fayetteville
• www.marlonblackwell.com

Show notes, chapters and transcript →