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EP29: How Thoughtful Design Shapes Community | Paige Byrd
48 Plays10 days ago
“Making sure that we’re really blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces, you know, and figuring out how to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor programming so it seems really seamless.”
Creating spaces that truly work means thinking beyond aesthetics. In this episode, we explore how thoughtful design can blend indoor and outdoor environments, support multiple uses, and foster genuine human connection. From health and wellness amenities to vibrant hospitality experiences, it’s about designing places that adapt to the way people actually live, work, and gather—today and in the future.
Paige Byrd shares her approach to creating multifunctional hospitality spaces by collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, integrating nature into built environments, and helping clients phase developments through feasibility studies. She explains how to build “vibes,” not just buildings, and why thoughtful planning leads to more resilient and vibrant communities. Her advice? Listen deeply, adapt smartly, and lead with heart.
Paige Byrd is the Co-President of Thiel & Thiem, a multidisciplinary architecture and interior design firm specializing in hospitality, wellness, and community-centric projects. She’s a passionate leader who blends business savvy with soulful design.
Learn more & connect:
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Discover more about Paulownia trees and their sustainable potential at https://www.paulownia-la.com/.
Dive into the Twelve Laws of Nature and unlock the secrets of harmonizing with our planet at https://www.12lawsofnature.com/.
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Transcript
Integrating Indoor and Outdoor Spaces
00:00:00
Speaker
And then making sure that we're really blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. Somewhere there's typically beautiful views. Figuring out how to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor programming so it seems really seamless.
00:00:11
Speaker
It really is an art. Being able to coordinate with the other consultants is something that is integral to ensuring that we have a successful project and end result.
Introduction to Regenerative Design Podcast
00:00:20
Speaker
Hello and welcome to the Regenerative Design Podcast.
00:00:24
Speaker
I'm your host, Mathieu Mehuys, and in this show, I interview the leading authorities in the world of regenerative practices. People who do good and do well. Are you a person that cares about your environment and our planet?
00:00:38
Speaker
Are you a person that wants to leave the planet to our children to be something that we can be truly proud of? something to enjoy for many generations to come. But are you also a person that believes we can do all of this and do good in business?
00:00:54
Speaker
Well, I have really good news for you. You're here listening to the podcast that is all about making our planet a better place and making your business more successful.
Paige Burt's Journey into Architecture
00:01:05
Speaker
Enjoy the show.
00:01:10
Speaker
Hello and welcome to another episode of the Regenerative Design Podcast where we are interviewing leading authorities in the world, that people that are doing good for our planet, for our environment, and they're also doing great in business. So today we have another special guest,
00:01:27
Speaker
Her name is Paige Burt. ah She's the co-president of Teal and Team, which is an integrated architectural firm that is mostly focusing on ah bigger scale projects in the US.
00:01:40
Speaker
So um Paige, thank you very much for coming on. How are you doing today? Thank you, Mathieu. I'm doing great. I appreciate you having me on. Yes, it's great. So first of all, I would like to hear your backstory. So how did you get into architecture and how did you get into the position where you are today?
00:01:58
Speaker
Yeah, it's ah it's a long story, but it's a good one. um So I am the daughter of a teacher and a lumber broker and um grew up in a small town where architecture and interior design wasn't something that was of great value.
00:02:16
Speaker
um But it was it it was interesting because my dad with his job and my parents, they were always, when they went somewhere, or if they could, they took my sister and I with And from an early age, they would laugh anytime we went somewhere. I wanted to explore if we were in a hotel or a restaurant. I wanted to go see the bathrooms and see, you know, what they looked like. I wanted to see everything.
00:02:41
Speaker
And at the time, didn't realize what that was, but it was a passion and curiosity and love for the built environment. um And, you know, through the course of time, i actually started, um whenever I started college, i I was majoring in elementary education.
00:03:00
Speaker
um Like i said, my mom was a teacher. And if I wasn't, you know, trying to make things look nice, I was playing school upstairs in my room. But um when I started my in-class observations, I just, it didn't feel right.
00:03:13
Speaker
o And one day um i had been, i was, I guess, a sophomore and was like, I'm just going to go tour the interior design building. I'm going to see what this is about because it just kind of was tugging at me.
00:03:26
Speaker
So I went and i just probably spent two hours in the hallway looking at all the projects. So we're on the walls and taking it at taking it in And that day i called my parents and told them,
00:03:40
Speaker
um um I know you're not going to like this, but I'm changing my major and I'm doing it this week. And I'm going to meet with a new advisor and see what I need to do to make that happen.
Career Progression at Teal & Team
00:03:51
Speaker
So that to them, you know, they were very supportive. It put me in school for an extra two years because that program is a four year program. But they were understanding and really supportive of my desire to do that. So ended up changing to interior design as a major and just really, you know, threw myself into it and immersed myself and Between my junior and senior year, i was privileged to come to move to Dallas for the summer. And I interned at one of the leading ah hospitality firms and they work all over the world and, you know, did luxury hotels and resorts. And I just fell in love.
00:04:32
Speaker
I mean, I really did fall in love with... what we're able to do, and the creativity behind it, but also the opportunity to make something and to create something with a team of people um that impacts people's lives for the better. So I started out as a junior designer, my first job.
00:04:52
Speaker
And um was just really thrown into it. I ah tell young designers, you don't really know anything until your first day at work or first job. and man I can totally see that.
00:05:06
Speaker
i also I went to the university. We learned a bunch of things that are very valuable, but then you think you know a lot and then you start your first week. It's like, what? I don't know anything.
00:05:20
Speaker
And so i I started and I was traveling a lot in the position that I was in. um And that was great. I got to grow up um as a young professional really quick and see a lot of places and um would work really hard and then try to get in some time if I was somewhere that I would take the time to go see the sites and just ah really enjoy that experience. And then I ended up being hired on at Teal & Team, previously Teal & Teal, as a junior designer.
00:05:49
Speaker
and I said yes to everything. i traveled. I was probably pretty reckless and thinking I knew a whole lot more than I really did, but I was willing to jump in with two feet and figure it out and, you know, messed up along the way and was very forthright about it and would tell my bosses, okay, I messed up, but this is how i'm fixing it.
00:06:09
Speaker
And um from there, I just had the opportunity to start working directly with clients, which I love. um You know, I love my job, but I ah love people, i think almost even more. And just being able to connect and figure out what their pain points are, like what they need, what they see, the vision for their project.
00:06:30
Speaker
And then how we can, with our clients, education and gifts, figure out how to make, you know, that that vision ah reality.
Teal & Team's Turnkey Solution Approach
00:06:39
Speaker
And over the course of time, you know, went from a junior designer to, you know, project managing and was doing a little bit of everything, supporting architectural team with drawings and and traveling a lot to sites and and learning. I think that was the biggest learning experience, you know, when I came on the TNL team. I think I did a pitch in front of my client
00:07:01
Speaker
on my second week. ah And um if it wasn't my second week, I know it was in my first month and was just nervous as all get out. But everyone is so kind. And, you know, if they see that you're really listening, which I think that's something that's so important in our industry is to listen um and and take what they're saying and really be able to hone in on that. That's really important. You know, putting putting your own personal agenda and and taste aside because it doesn't always work.
00:07:30
Speaker
So, anyway, over the course of time, um the Teals, who owned Teal & Teal, decided that they were ready to retire. And my partner and I, they approached us with essentially taking over the business for them, which was one of the greatest gifts I've ever received aside from my children. Wow.
00:07:49
Speaker
And we worked hand in hand for a really long time. You know, we were, ah the transition was really organic and over the course of time, Elissa and I have been able to grow the business the way that, you know, we've wanted to really making sure that we're taking care of our people.
00:08:06
Speaker
And in turn, you know taking care of our clients and have been privileged and honored to work on so many amazing projects across the country. And yeah we do a lot um within our firm. We offer architectural services, interior design services, and also procurement. So a lot of our clients like that we're a turnkey solution.
00:08:27
Speaker
um It just makes things easier for them and that we Our strengths really, a lot of times if if you're working with an architect, the strength might not be interiors. And we have assembled a team that we don't have a weak point.
00:08:44
Speaker
um It's a team of amazing, talented, smart professionals that really stand out in the industry. And that's something that we're able to, you know, provide to our clients, which is spectacular. And honestly, as a dream come true, sometimes I i don't know how I got where I am.
00:09:01
Speaker
and i kind of have to pinch myself because i don't feel um like i deserve it but um it's with a lot of heart and a lot of hard work that has come to fruition so well congratulations because i think you do deserve it because yeah there's a few things that i wrote down that that i find really interesting and and to explain even why i think you deserve it is the first thing you said is like back in your when you were a child as far as i understood that you were always interested about designs, interior, even if you didn't know what an interior architect was.
00:09:35
Speaker
And that really also reminds me of my sister who happens to be also an interior architect. And she's been doing her job for a few years now. She's a bit younger than me.
00:09:46
Speaker
But ever since she was a child, we grew up together. She was constantly changing her architecture. sleeping room. Like you had ah we had our own rooms, we had a bed and and some stuff in it and she was constantly changing it.
00:10:01
Speaker
Like we would walk by her room and and you hear the sound like, eh, she's moving around all the furniture
Impact of COVID on Hospitality Design
00:10:07
Speaker
because she had come up with a new design, I guess. and She probably also didn't know what interior design was.
00:10:13
Speaker
And that's what I love about your story. And I think for the listeners as well, you if you're like stuck in life or you don't know where you want to go with with what you want to do or you want to contribute to something ah to to make a better world, it's really advisable to go back to your childhood and think about the things that really inspired you because that's where...
00:10:33
Speaker
all the nuggets are that's where all the things you should be working on are because then when you follow your passion just like you did page when there's difficult moments which you clearly had you'll push through because you're so passionate about it that you in the heat of the moment when there's a lot of problems it's like i've been through it it's it's the worst but but you're so passionate about what you do that you never give up.
00:10:59
Speaker
And that's where you built grit, where you built success. That's how you get to where you are today. So rather than thinking of like, what would be a job that makes me a lot of money, you have to find your passion and grow from that passion.
00:11:12
Speaker
So I really appreciate that story. So congratulations to that. And then, yeah, you also touched upon a few other points that I want to dive in deeper, which is, the hospitality industry. I think it's a very interesting industry that has also been struggling a lot through COVID, but I think it also, add it's we're now getting into a that that Because of COVID, it became ah difficult that now when you do a new project in hospitality, it really has to stand out. It has to be something unique.
00:11:45
Speaker
There has to be a link in my case then or where I can add value. it There has to be something unique unique about the environment, the outdoor spaces, that the gardens, the the nature around it.
00:11:56
Speaker
So I would love to hear from you, like with your clients, when you're working on hospitality jobs, how do you go about it? How do you find the best possible solution? Because at the same time, i always I also love what you said about like, you take the time to sit down with your clients and listen to them, find out their pain points and then be a one stop shop to solve their their problems, which is also amazing. So I'd love to hear more about the process you're going through and in with your hospitality clients.
Understanding Client Needs in Design
00:12:25
Speaker
Yeah, absolutely. So um understanding your client's need is so important because they're the ones that see, you know, day in and day out from an operational perspective, what works and what doesn't.
00:12:39
Speaker
And so the first thing that we are typically tasked with is a plan that doesn't function right. Right. Like you have your back of house, you have service, you have your, you're,
00:12:53
Speaker
member or guest experience, and then you have everything else that has to happen like a well-ordered machine to make that member experience spectacular. And um so our company, um you know, nearly 30 years ago was started with a concentration in golf and country clubs.
00:13:11
Speaker
And that's something that we do a lot of. So i'm going to use that as um an example. um And the club today is a lot different than it was tomorrow. But what isn't different is how it needs to operate and sight lines, you know, making sure that if somebody's in a dining room or there's somewhere that's supposed to be a quiet space, they aren't constantly interrupted or distractions from what's going on behind the curtain to make the magic work.
00:13:37
Speaker
So that's typically the first thing we address with our clients, like operational flow, what's working and what doesn't. um Programming, of even you have staffing needs. Is there a place for staff to retreat to? Do you have enough offices for people to feel like they can do their jobs and do them well?
00:13:54
Speaker
So that's where we start is the function. And then beyond that, you know, Being able to engage different people depending on, you know, their lifestyle and because how people live today and how people work today is so different than how so many of these clubs were built, you know, 50, 60 years ago.
00:14:15
Speaker
That can be, you know, a pretty big task to take on and ah being able to really hone in on that. So one thing that or not one thing, several things that we typically are seeing within the program that we're trying to work in is,
00:14:30
Speaker
um health and wellness. So there's a component there where if there is a a space for that, we're making it bigger, we're making it better. We might be taking over areas that aren't utilized as often um that maybe once were, you know, when the club opened, but now, you know, they really want to drive home this kind of health and wellness component within the club um because they've become family destinations, not just, you know, you know,
00:14:59
Speaker
the dad or mom just to go play golf. Right. Oh, yeah. So health and wellness is one. um And then also looking at the food and beverage program and and seeing where the opportunities are to expand um and to create So vignettes and special places for, you know, depending on the club and their goals, you know, it might be 21 and over bar because when people are coming off the golf course or somebody wants to have a date night, somebody might, they play don't want to bring families in to where that's coming, right? Like having...
00:15:37
Speaker
separate programmed areas for those types of use. um And then making sure that we're really blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces, you know, whether that's a dining patio, um which, you know, if you're on a course or you're somewhere, there's typically beautiful views of the course and figuring out how to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor programming. So it seems really seamless. Yeah.
00:16:02
Speaker
um And depending on where we're at in the country, you know, that can be ah a little bit easier, a little bit harder in Texas. We have very small windows of time that people want to sit on a patio during the day. before it Yeah, but it's still a need. It might not be, you know, the square footage that it would be in California or in Arizona.
00:16:23
Speaker
um But it's certainly something that we consider along the way and how we can bring those outdoor elements in um Another component that we really focus on now, which, you know, hospitality leads to charge for all other types of design.
00:16:40
Speaker
So you go into the hottest, hippest boutique hotel in town, and that's what everybody wants to be, no matter what the development is, right? Because there's typically energy. um This is kind of a a cliche buzzword, but it it communicates correctly the vibe, right? That you want people to feel. Yeah.
00:17:00
Speaker
when they come into a space. And so being able to have lounge spaces that, you know, during the daytime, people could pull out their laptops and work, or if they need to take a call, there's a place to go take a call where you don't feel like you're disrupting anyone else that's there.
00:17:17
Speaker
um And then those spaces transition, an evening to great happy hour locations or wine dinners or, you know, date nights, um, making sure that those spaces are programmed and thoughtfully designed along with the operator. I mean, that's something that's really important because the operators really know, their demographic and what the need is.
00:17:41
Speaker
So making sure that we're creating those spaces, whether it's light and bright and very, ah engaging during the daytime, or maybe it's a little bit darker. And, you know, it's something that people are kind of a sexier environment that people want to hang out at night.
00:17:55
Speaker
So it's a fine line and being able to marry those things together, you know, it's a science, but it really is an art.
Fostering Community in Design
00:18:01
Speaker
And um being able to coordinate with landscape teams and um the other consultants is something that is absolutely integral to ensuring that we have a successful project and end result.
00:18:14
Speaker
Well, I love that. So I think you you pointed out a few very, very important parts here that I believe is instrumental to create projects that are future proof because our world is constantly changing.
00:18:27
Speaker
yeah So how even with AI revolutions, even now robots, like there's so much question marks that we don't even know what the future will bring. that as a designer, as ah as a landscape architect, as an architect, you're going to have to like start thinking about that and make designs that allow a certain amount of ah not multifunctionality. That's what I've written down, but not like in a classical way multifunctionality because you could just make a big open room and then you can change some tables around. That's also multifunctional. You can have it as a dining room. You can have it as a conference room.
00:19:02
Speaker
No, that's like kind of boring. So going the extra mile is what you're doing is like, okay, how can you create a beautiful space that is both usable and ah as a co-working space, as a lounge area, as also for different types of venues.
00:19:17
Speaker
And it really reminds me of the work that we're also focusing on and on is with with our clients is like, okay, how can we develop a project and also add as many different revenue income streams as possible. So, okay, the main goal with your project, and like ah ah I'd love to take that as a case study to show it as well, is okay, we wanna create a new,
00:19:41
Speaker
um Golf course, new golf club, country and golf club, right? So it you could do it the old way and just build it and have that as one function, but you're already starting to think way wider. Okay, it's becoming a family destination. What can we add that...
00:19:57
Speaker
Also children would be interested in hanging out at that place. Maybe there's a way that there's a childcare system. So like adding all those values so that people can pretty much spend the whole weekend and they don't have to drive around so they they have more quality time with their family.
00:20:15
Speaker
um And then also blending the indoor with the outdoor, which adds to the multifunctionality and just the overall. I like that you say like a place has to create a vibe, right? Like you come into certain places and like, wow, I feel really nice here.
00:20:30
Speaker
Like how do you create that? um So I think that that's really great. And you already touched upon... having yeah and like I'd love to dive deeper into the integration of the inner and the outer space. like How do you usually do that in in your day-to-day work?
00:20:47
Speaker
Well, i think a lot of that is site specific, but I can tell you what we try to do. And and it's great because so many club owners, you know, whether it's a private club or or not, um the the goal is there. It's kind of, you know, the outdoor entertainment experience.
00:21:04
Speaker
Right. So in a lot of cases, um we are creating outdoor spaces where, when if there's a band that's set up or some sort of live entertainment on a Friday or Saturday night, there's opportunity for food service out there and there's areas for kids to run and play.
00:21:22
Speaker
And it might not be, you know, right there, but it's within, you know, sight line. And there's typically, you know, programming for that where,
00:21:33
Speaker
um You know, you might not be ordering from the dinner menu from the main dining room, but there might be a more casual type of, you know, pick up order a pizza, do it, you the pizza ovens are fantastic for that.
00:21:45
Speaker
um And it becomes a really nice, almost kind of like a family camp environment, if that makes sense. You know, and depending on, you know, if there's opportunities and there's lakes or ponds, you know, having docks and then, you know, being able to get really creative about how you're programming square footage, because those are also areas that they're just genuinely beautiful because they're maintained, they're landscaped. So,
00:22:11
Speaker
you know, private events, if you have a wedding or a reception, you know you have all of those things that are working right there together, where you can step out from that, you know, backside of your club and you have a place that you can sit down around a fire table,
00:22:26
Speaker
um and have wine with your friends. And I'm in the stage of life that I have smaller children and the last thing they want to do is sit down with me for a nice dinner. They want to be spending that energy doing something. So when they can do that in an environment yeah that's not frowned upon upon and it's not inappropriate, it just allows connection between families.
00:22:47
Speaker
um connections between communities and it creates a very, very special member, just environment for belonging and connection um that is a precious thing, you know, and it's, it's one of those, um,
00:23:03
Speaker
That's why people buy in. You know, these days it's it's why people buy in because they want to be able to go somewhere on the weekends and it might not be your kids.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration in Projects
00:23:11
Speaker
It might be your grandkids or it might be okay. So I don't have the grandkids this weekend, but guess what? There's a place for me to go and have a quiet dinner and making sure that all of those things can work together um very carefully and are programmed well. So you don't have You're not sitting there having a nice dinner and somebody is walking by in their swimsuit because they're coming back from the pool.
00:23:35
Speaker
but um And that that's something that we work a lot with our clients on to make sure that and what the adjacencies look like are really well thought out and to engage every member of a family.
00:23:48
Speaker
Yeah, i love that. That's really cool to understand how you're approaching that. And then if we obviously, like I like this comparison that, okay, when we want to create a multifunctional space that suits different types of needs, we have health and wellness, ah food in our outdoor connection, um like creating ah an entertainment experience or or general outdoor experiences.
00:24:12
Speaker
Yeah. When we need a multifunctional like not just that where the architecture and the interior and the outdoor spaces are blended into one another.
00:24:25
Speaker
It also needs a multidisciplinary approach, in my opinion. So yeah how do you go about this to create multifunctional play spaces to have a team of people with different expertise and and how do you apply that in in your ah day-to-day work?
00:24:40
Speaker
The earlier we can start working together and coordinating and collaborating, the better. um a lot of times, and well, I say it really kind of just depends on the project, but um specifically since we've been using you know clubs as an example, I'll keep going with that. So a lot of time the club has engaged a course architect to help them and they kind of have established this master plan um with what that's going to look like, whether it's a short course or, you you know, some sort of expansion or addition of a driving range. And so we're working together already to see, okay, this is the space that they have.
00:25:17
Speaker
What can we do to bridge the gap between the building and when their scope starts to make this to make this experience better and more engaging. And so that's when we're thinking about um what does that look like in terms of opportunities for the entertainment and for food and beverage? Do we need an outside bar? Do we need a different type of destination at the property um to support anything that, you know, the course architect has done? And we do that a lot, you know, through ah collaborative meetings and just kind of sitting down and and
00:25:51
Speaker
sending schematics back and forth, you know, and then, okay, and then we'll get their feedback. We'll provide our feedback. and then of course, in the middle, you have the operator and the owner that's giving their feedback. And then when everybody's talking and they're really trying to engage everybody and respecting them for their discipline and their expertise, that's when the magic happens.
Balancing Design Creativity with Budget
00:26:12
Speaker
I mean, that's when you get the best result and you end up with a project that everyone is proud of and they have a weight. um every time the doors are open, at least during peak times.
00:26:24
Speaker
This podcast is brought to you by the Garden of Your Dreams Masterclass. Are you struggling with finding the right tools and tricks for your garden? Are you lacking the confidence to be a self-sufficient gardener?
00:26:36
Speaker
Do you sometimes get overwhelmed by the lack of knowledge and time you have to actually do gardening? Then the Garden of Your Dreams Masterclass is for you. yeah building the right team is really important but that also comes and brings some challenges as well because now you have to manage a whole team of people so and when you when you're working on this bigger scale projects what do you see are the biggest challenges um in creating a successful project from your um personal experience
00:27:10
Speaker
Honestly, the coordination for us isn't the challenge. right For us, we're team players. We tend to align with teams that are team players. We all have the end we all have the same end goal right?
00:27:25
Speaker
um For us, just based on the world that we live in and cost of labor and cost of materials for us, usually the biggest challenge is budget and making sure that we are not over designing or showing our clients something that we know doesn't work with, you know, what their funds allow.
00:27:46
Speaker
um And that's a delicate balance, right, as an architect. And it's our responsibility as a team to make sure that we're being as creative as possible and and prioritizing. I think that's ah that's a really good thing and conversation that you have to have up front. It's like, OK, this is our wish list, right? Like these are the all the things that we would love to have.
00:28:07
Speaker
But we know by doing some cost exercises and looking at this very preliminary that there's a good chance we might have to cut some scope or kind of manipulate some things. So what are our priorities here? And then starting there, right? Like this is most important for the client. It's going to yield the biggest return.
00:28:23
Speaker
It's going to have the biggest impact for the end user. And then from there, you know, everything that you can do to embellish that is a nice, happy ad. And so often it's funny because I ah and my team, we're all guilty of it. You know, we'll design something and we're like, oh, my gosh, this is going to be amazing. And then, you know, we start presenting and we're thinking about it. We're like, OK, so VE comes.
00:28:46
Speaker
It does. It happens. um It should be a four letter word, but B-E happens. And when it does, nobody knows except us. Right. Like nobody knows what was sacrificed except for us, because when people come in, it still feels finished and it feels good and it feels thoughtful.
00:29:05
Speaker
And i think sometimes. Most people that are experiencing a space or an experience, like they might not be able to put their finger on like, what about it made it great.
00:29:17
Speaker
But all of those small details wrapped together that support this overarching vision is what makes it great. You know, it's um and the small things that sometimes that we or are sad to lose.
00:29:30
Speaker
No one misses but us. You know, it's it's just one of those things you have to make sure that you're you're maintaining what's really important and being able to sacrifice the things that really, it's a nice to have, but it's not a must have.
00:29:43
Speaker
Yeah, i agree. It's always ah a bit of a delicate dance to meet with the client and and prioritize things. And then some things that it's kind of hard to quantify, but you still say push that through because you know that it's going to create that extra vibe, the extra thing that will actually make the difference that...
00:30:03
Speaker
will then get clients to come back. like how do you How do you do that with your clients? How do you convince them? Like, okay, I know this kind of doesn't seem to be like a priority, but you know that this is exactly the thing that will help them make a space so unique that people keep coming back and back and back. How do you how do you justify that? you um quantify it? Do you have systems around that?
00:30:28
Speaker
We what we present and this is depending on the project and the scope, a lot of times what we recommend for our clients is ah is something that we call a feasibility study. And essentially what that means for us is we are looking at the space, we're getting through programming um and we're casting the vision with conceptual imagery and we are tiptoeing into block plans.
00:30:52
Speaker
And based on, you know, the level of construction, we present a budget um to them that shows This is our estimated construction costs based on, you know, level of construction. is it moderate? Is it heavy? is it light?
00:31:07
Speaker
um And then beyond that, we go even far enough to go ahead and give them FF&E estimates so we can look at it and really all make educated decisions about what the best path is forward.
00:31:18
Speaker
And not everybody always has the same idea, you know, what the best best path forward is in our business. We, you know, we give our opinion, and we You know, we try to back up what the opinion is just based on our experience and what we've seen work really well.
00:31:38
Speaker
um And, you know, sometimes it's received and sometimes, you know, they know better what they need for their business. And it's our job to support our client. We have to voice our opinions and obviously bring information.
00:31:51
Speaker
the facts and and data to the table to show them, but it's our job to do our jobs and they're client. So we listen to our client because at the end of the day, you know, we're not building monuments to ourselves.
00:32:06
Speaker
um We're here to do a job for the people that need us. I agree. And I think it's important for designers, architects, people like myself also in the landscaping industry too to step up a bit and also be able to come up with financial models and feasibility studies and showing like, okay,
00:32:26
Speaker
this is the budget that we have calculated and this is the projected returns. We can also increase the budget and that will have like a huge impact on on the profitability of the project. So you can, instead of saying like, okay, this is what it's gonna cost yeah and not know and not really knowing what it's got what the returns are gonna be, why not have that skill as a designer to show like, okay, this is, let's call it the minimal viable product.
00:32:53
Speaker
It has everything that you wanted. ah But if we add this, this and this and this, it's actually going to help you to create a way more profitable and more competitive um business as in in hospitality, which is like for me, it's like a non-negotiable that has to be focused on because if you're building new ah projects in hospitality today, it has to really stand out.
00:33:17
Speaker
Otherwise it's like, yeah, it's pruned to be, to not ah be successful because there's already so many things out there. I think. Yeah. yeah or how What's your take on that?
00:33:28
Speaker
Yeah. um I agree.
Phased Approaches to Large Projects
00:33:30
Speaker
and You know, when, when we get to a point and we're working with the client, one thing that we offer um and depending on, you know, where, where they're at and what they're, what they can spend at the time.
00:33:40
Speaker
and We like to show them, you know, white box renderings where we're in there and we're actually, you know, we've, we've designed it in 3d. and As a designer and architect, we see these things very naturally, but you know, a lot of people don't.
00:33:55
Speaker
And so seeing something two dimensionally on a piece of paper, doesn't always tell the story of what that environment has the potential to be. And so that's something that we that we recommend, you know, as we're going through plans and we're developing um our schematic studies. Those things are happening, you know, like we're building the bones for that to happen. So just taking the next step.
00:34:18
Speaker
And it's also great to use as a marketing tool. You know, what if you need any sort of buy in from a board or a committee or, you know, some people can just raise their hand and say, you know what, I ah really don't.
00:34:29
Speaker
get this i don't see what you're trying to do and it helps tell the story and kind of connect the dots and usually when people see that the excitement turns into we're doing this you know like we're moving forward full steam ahead and we we had um actually recently a ah project that i'm all using an example um there was an entire clubhouse and you know there were parts of it they were very beautiful it was historic And but most of it was really underutilized. um It was, you to your point, white walls, just kind of tables and chairs.
00:35:05
Speaker
um That's vanilla, which it's flexible, but it doesn't call to anyone. right um And so, of course, people weren't there using it. And. So they're like, help us rethink what we can do to really get some member engagement here. So we looked at the entire footprint of the clubhouse and we're really strategic about what they had that worked right. And that was beautiful. And we didn't we needed to update, but we didn't need to completely rework.
00:35:31
Speaker
And then engaging programs, you know, especially for a golf course where simulators, you know, for practice, especially if it's cold outside, if you're if you live in an an area that you can't it's really hard to play golf in the wintertime or, you know, um or if it's really hot.
00:35:47
Speaker
And those, you the simulators can be connected to active environments so they can be used one for practice and two also for entertainment venues. If you have you know some really nice soft seating in there and you have your simulators and there's bar service or you can host a party in there and there's self-serve wine or anything like that, it's just another opportunity to serve the different people that are using the space depending on what their goals are for that day.
00:36:13
Speaker
and And that's something that we, again... talk to our clients about, see what they need and then try to it's like a puzzle. You know, you're trying to get the pieces of the puzzle um to fit together and to work within a footprint and then make sure that it can, they can afford it. And if they can't, you know, it's phased. Okay. So this is going to be the next two years. And then beyond that, we're going to go here.
00:36:38
Speaker
um That's something that's an approach that we see a lot because, you know, it's easier to kind of, what do they say? Bite the elephant. to eat the elephant one bite at a time. These massive undertakings just aren't feasible for most people um and most groups. And so we try to work with them to make sure that we're phasing it that's going to work best for them, that they're never completely out of operations because we know they have to operate. They have to remain, your doors have to remain
Historic Baker Hotel Renovation
00:37:04
Speaker
open. then um And that's just kind of a fine dance and balance that we that we work with our general contractors and and everyone that's involved in the project to make sure that it's a success.
00:37:14
Speaker
Yeah, that's a great way of looking at it. And I think it's really, as ah again, as ah as a planner, how can you help your client to find the lowest hanging fruits for their business?
00:37:28
Speaker
Like with the minimal amount of change, how can they get the most amount of effect from that? And then once you've done that, you can keep adding certain other things data that will add to it. So I think that's a really cool...
00:37:42
Speaker
approach of how you're doing that in your work so now just out of curiosity for you personally what are like the most exciting projects and what do you love working on ah the most oh gosh um and we've worked on so many projects oh right now in the last five years it's always cool like probably couple before that you also had done amazing things but something more recent in the last five years would be cool Yeah, yeah we right now, are one of our big projects that we're working on is the Baker Hotel.
00:38:14
Speaker
um It is a historic hotel opened in 1929, about two weeks before, two weeks after ah the great stock market crash.
00:38:25
Speaker
And um it's beautiful. And we have the privilege to come in and work with that team. The doors, you know, it was opened ah through the 30s, 40s and 50s. The doors closed in the 70s. There have been multiple attempts since then to reopen and to restore.
00:38:43
Speaker
And you can imagine over the course of time, you know, damage and theft, you know, um kind of put the the building and dish repair, but.
00:38:54
Speaker
Is it in Dulles as well? or It is a town called Mineral Wells and it's about an hour west of Fort Worth. Oh yeah. um It's pretty well known. and I mean, the the following is incredible.
00:39:07
Speaker
um They have, you know, yeah built back in the, in the twenties, they had an Olympic sized swimming pool. And the cloud room is this beautiful event space that's just basically windows. um And they had spa. What drew people to mineral wells was the water.
00:39:27
Speaker
They called it the crazy water. um And they still call it the crazy water. There's actually a crazy water festival every year. ah They bottle it and you can buy it. But people went there for health benefits, thinking that the water would cure ailments.
00:39:40
Speaker
And um you gosh, Clark Gable visited. Judy Garland was there. Bonnie and Clyde used to, they had a a suite that they used as kind of a hideout.
00:39:52
Speaker
There's a lot of really unique history. And um just walking through the building now, um the GC has done a beautiful job of just getting everything cleaned up and demoed. So you can now see everything um and and really have appreciation for all of the architectural and and interior architectural detailing.
00:40:12
Speaker
um Back then, different artisans came in and they did, you know, their portion of that work. So it's all very unique. And so we're restoring that project. We've been working on it with ownership for a long time just to try to help um with the vision and schematics and and getting what they need in order to you know raise the funds to make it happen.
00:40:35
Speaker
and um And now it's moving forward and we couldn't be more excited. So we're tasked there with restoring this beautiful building um and you know creating this new world-class spa experience. And really programming the entire building to capture and engage a modern traveler, right?
00:40:54
Speaker
um but ensure that we're respecting the DNA of the building and the history that's there. So that is an exciting project that we're working on right now. Did I understand it correctly that in the process you did, you helped your client first to come up with ah the concept, certain plans to then for your client to be able to use that to get financing um in the process. Is that correct?
00:41:20
Speaker
Yeah, we created schematic plans, um you know, showing the different spaces. and And there's a lot of it there that, I mean, we're we're working with what's there. People don't build buildings like that anymore.
00:41:32
Speaker
um And so the rose room or the brazos room, the dining room, ah you have this the series of columns and these beautiful arches and a stage area. um so but we're We're restoring it to its original beauty and you know working with historical palettes and making sure that the furnishings and everything that we're bringing in it works with it and it supports what the building is, ah but obviously is is made for what people expect today for a luxury hotel resort type experience.
00:42:08
Speaker
Yeah. um yeah Nice. So there will also be a big focus on health and wellness, obviously with the mineral waters, as that was the old reason why people were coming there, I think.
00:42:21
Speaker
yeah find the eternal spring. And how are you still what's your goal of how to integrate that that also old aspect of the mineral waters, maybe even the surrounding of it, back into and in how how how are you going to integrate that in the project?
00:42:41
Speaker
We want to be able to utilize the water specifically in the spa, right? And obviously it's there for drinking. um ah But we we want to be able to utilize the water component um as much as we can.
00:42:59
Speaker
And um that's something that, you know, you can You can buy it now in a grocery store, but we'll definitely make sure that we're in the gift shop and in ah wherever there's an opportunity to be able to experience that, that the that we're helping people to be able to experience it.
00:43:18
Speaker
Wow, that's so cool. Nice. So what is your single best piece of advice for our listeners that are wanting to start their own business, maybe have already a business, they are struggling?
00:43:30
Speaker
What do you think is the best piece of it advice when it comes down in going into the world and creating something that is beautiful, unique, something that you are clearly ah doing?
00:43:41
Speaker
Um, I think you really captured it well earlier when you said, you know, determination and grit is what it takes. Um, you know, we've been around for a while and my partner and I, we have an amazing leadership team, um, an amazing team of professionals that we kind of, we lock, we lock arms and we, we do it together.
Keys to Business Success
00:44:05
Speaker
Um, But when it comes to, you know, the challenges and owning a business and making sure that it can be hard, it can be deflating. know, there are times that I think anybody that's done it has said, I want to give up.
00:44:17
Speaker
I don't want to go anymore. um What we've really learned is we don't. we don't overanalyze or get stuck in our failures. We, we fail forward.
00:44:29
Speaker
And what we mean when we say that is, you know, we take our failures, we learn from them. You do like a postmortem, figure out where you went wrong. Um, and, and, and for me, but it was my personality.
00:44:43
Speaker
Um, I tend to move a little too fast and sometimes slowing down, help save me. And I have a team of people that help like, Hey, let's, let's think this through the next steps.
00:44:56
Speaker
You know, and we're good for each other. Cause I help pull them along and they help kind of hold me back. And it's a really, it's a nice balance, but you know, a part of business and part of life is failing. And i think that's an expectation and not letting failures define you, but use them as opportunities for growth.
00:45:13
Speaker
um And for learning. So, you know, the next time you'll do something a little bit different is the biggest piece of advice I can give. Like, it's gonna, you're gonna have hard days. And it's, it's not always easy.
00:45:26
Speaker
But when you're on top of the mountain, and things are going really, really well, you know, take the time to so to stop and look back and enjoy the view and think about the winds that you've had along the way.
00:45:37
Speaker
um and celebrate those, you know, and celebrate those and be grateful for the times that you've been able to fail forward because that's what really defines us and makes and then get ready for the next roller coaster, I would say.
00:45:49
Speaker
You're ready for it. Like, bring it.
00:45:53
Speaker
I love it. Yeah, it's exactly what it is, right? you you and i I love what you said about failing forward. Like what I always see in this moment where it's like the most toughest and you think like this, like how ah how am I going to solve all these issues?
00:46:11
Speaker
Like too much things to take care of, a few mistakes that have been made and it's like, wow. And then this is always the the moment just before the next biggest success.
00:46:23
Speaker
Like it's like at that very moment when you don't stop and you just keep keep going for like keep going forward, yeah then you're just on the way to going up.
00:46:34
Speaker
And then I also love what you said, like when you're at the top and take the time to to enjoy it, to um to to share your wins, to celebrate your wins with your team. with the people around you and then get ready because the next roller coaster is going to start very soon.
00:46:52
Speaker
yeah If you're going to keep going, you got to go back down that mountain. Exactly. There's always positive sides to everything. When you're down at the bottom, it's like it can only go upwards from here.
Concluding Remarks and Contact Information
00:47:02
Speaker
And when you're up on the top, which is great, you have a good feeling, um but it can go wrong again. or youre like there's There's never a straight line, right? You you get to the peak, then you go you'll go down a little bit to to then go to the next peak. It's really natural, and I think it's an important information or lesson to give away is to really see, like, okay, failure is something that you you're learning, you're improving yourself, like,
00:47:31
Speaker
It's only failure if you would stop using the feedback that you get from the failure, then it's really failure. But if you start using it to to serve your clients better, to create better results, then you're on the right track and then you'll be rewarded for that, I think.
00:47:48
Speaker
I agree with you. Life and business is not linear. If you want to feel the high highs, you're going to have to feel the low lows.
00:47:58
Speaker
And isn't it that what makes it thrilling as well? Absolutely. It is. All right, Paige, anything else that you would like to add before we wrap up? I'll still ask you like how people can reach out to you.
00:48:09
Speaker
But is there anything else you would like to add before we ah finish our interview here? Oh, gosh, i I don't think so. I appreciate you um hosting me and having me on. this has been ah This has been a lovely hour speaking with you. Thank you.
00:48:25
Speaker
Yeah, nice. Time flies when we're having fun. It sure does. Great. So how can people best reach out to you? So if there's people that maybe want to join your team or that ah potential clients that say like, wow, I really love ah and would like to work with you, how how is the best way to ah follow you and to reach out to you?
00:48:43
Speaker
Yeah, so our website um is a fantastic resource for connecting with us if you're looking for any sort of career opportunities or um if you're wanting to discuss a job. And, you know, that is tealandteam.com.
00:48:58
Speaker
It's spelled differently than how it sounds. It's T-H-I-E-L-A-N-D-T-E-A-M. So that teal is ah the T-H-T-E-A-L. And then, of course, on LinkedIn, I'm there too, Paige Bird, and you see my name with Teal and Team, you know, that's me.
00:49:14
Speaker
um But either of those ways or are fantastic ways to to get in touch with us. And um of course, I'm partial, but I would say you won't work with a better group of people than the people at Teal and Team, one, and and who they are, and and two, their gifts and their talents. So contact us, reach out. We'd love to talk with you.
00:49:36
Speaker
Well, I love that. I see how determined you are both for your team and for your clients, which is the most important thing. So I really congratulate you for doing all this amazing work.
00:49:47
Speaker
So we'll put all the information in the show notes as well. So Paige, Bert, thank you very much for coming on to the show. Thank you, Mathieu. I really appreciate it. Okay, bye-bye.