The Hustle
Years in Tampa Bay
I lived in St. Pete for one month in an Airbnb over this past summer while house shopping and figuring out where my wife, two dogs, and I were going to live in the area. My wife got a job at Mease Dunedin and we live in the Clearwater/Dunedin area.
Hustle (job)
Architect & Creator.
What do you do?
At Studio Laconic, I primarily do residential and multi-family projects. My current work ranges from small residential additions and renovations to townhome complexes of 12 homes or more. I am currently designing projects in Colorado, New Mexico, and here in Florida. My work at Studio Laconic began about a year ago, and all my projects are still under development or under construction.
I also just recently launched The Every Day Architect, which is a daily guided improvement journal and sketchbook for architects and designers available on Amazon and here: https://everydayarchitectjournal.com
Why do you do it?
Because not doing it was never an option for me. I love creating and any time I get a new idea I have to scratch the itch of testing it out, or it drives me insane.
What was your Catalyst? (How did you get started?)
The first catalyst was a drafting class that I took in middle school. More architecture courses followed in high school, which solidified my passion for the profession. After graduate school and working in a firm for a number of years, I was laid off when construction was slow in Colorado and they hadn’t really caught up from the recession. Being let go from a job was the real catalyst for starting my own practice. I knew that I never wanted to depend on an employer or having a job ever again.
What’s a common misconception or unknown aspect of what you do?
Architecture is very glamorized in the movies and television. There is a lot more detail and rigor that goes into the creation of a building than is ever shown on the screen.
What’s the most challenging part of your Hustle?
Designing and creating can be a pretty isolated and lonely job, especially as a sole practitioner. I do my best to get out and meet new people to combat this. So, who wants to get coffee?
What’s the most valuable piece of business advice/insight that’s helped you?
Work on yourself every day, because if you aren’t the best version of yourself you won’t be able to help others. Also, always be learning.
