Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Guidry.
Hi Scott, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Sure, I would be happy to. Let’s see how far back I should take you?!
My story really starts with a simple realization I had early in my career. I loved architecture, but what I loved even more was the way it could influence people and improve their lives. I saw early on how a thoughtfully designed space could change someone’s day, their comfort, their confidence, and even their livelihood. Those moments shaped me more than I understood at the time.
As the early years went by, I worked in other firms and learned from many talented people. But eventually I felt a pull to create something a little different, something that focused on intention, care, and the people who would use the space. Tim and I talked about this idea for a long time, and eventually we decided it was time to take the leap.
We incorporated designshop in 2012 and officially opened in early 2013. Those first years were just as much about building a strong company as they were about designing buildings. I had to learn everything from bookkeeping to hiring to building meaningful relationships with consultants and partners. It was a challenge, but it was also energizing because we were shaping the kind of practice we wanted to work in every day.
As the firm grew, we kept surrounding ourselves with good people. That has always been important to us. Partners, team members, clients, and city leaders who care about the work and people as much as we do. Every project reminded me that architecture is a team effort, and it is at its best when everyone feels heard and respected.
About five years in, we faced a project that tested us in ways we had not experienced before. Instead of letting it set us back, we used it as a turning point. It pushed us to strengthen our internal processes and become a more resilient and dependable practice. Looking back, that challenge ended up sharpening who we were becoming.
Today, we have completed more than 350 projects in many different sectors, and I am proud of the work we are doing. Not only because of the buildings themselves, but because of the people and communities who are part of each project. When I look back on the journey, I see a path shaped by learning, listening, and a deep belief that architecture can be intentional, relational, and transformative.
It has been quite a journey, and I still wake up feeling excited about the work ahead and the people I get to meet and work with every day.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all, and honestly I think that is part of what makes the journey meaningful. Nothing worth building ever follows a perfectly smooth path.
There were seasons early on when I was learning the business side of architecture in real time. I had plenty of moments where I was juggling design work during the day and figuring out accounting, contracts, and payroll at night. It was exciting, but it was also heavy at times because I cared so much about getting it right. I wanted a strong foundation for the firm, and that required patience and a willingness to grow through discomfort.
There were also the usual challenges that come with starting a practice from scratch. Finding the right clients, building trust, establishing our reputation, and making sure every experience matched the values we were trying to build into the firm. Those years taught me a lot about consistency and about showing up even when the path is unclear.
One of the biggest turning points came about five years in. We were involved in a project that pushed us harder than anything we had worked on up to that point. It tested our communication, our systems, and our ability to stay steady under pressure. Instead of letting it rattle us, we used it as motivation to strengthen everything behind the scenes. We improved our processes, clarified our standards, and grew in ways that still benefit us today.
The truth is, the road has been filled with challenges, but every one of them made us more focused, more resilient, and more committed to the kind of practice we want to be. When I look back, the harder moments are the ones that shaped me the most. And they gave me an even deeper appreciation for where we are today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about designshop architecture?
I would love to.
designshop is the result of many years spent paying attention to what makes architecture meaningful and what truly serves people. At its core, we are an architecture firm, but I see us more as a group of people who care deeply about creating environments that feel purposeful, welcoming, and connected to their community.
We work across almost every sector you can imagine, from schools and churches to retail, civic work, mixed use projects, parks, and office spaces. But no matter the project type, our focus remains the same. We design for people, for the way they move, gather, work, celebrate, and belong. That has always been our center of gravity.
If someone asked what sets us apart, I would say it is our mindset. We put a tremendous amount of thought into not only the building itself, but the experience surrounding it. We think about the street, the neighborhood, the approach, the first feeling someone has when they walk up to a front door. We care about the emotional side of design, because that is what creates places people remember. That is what turns a simple building into a destination.
People often tell us they can recognize a designshop project even before they know we were involved. They pick up on the intentionality, the way the elements relate, the way the building sits on its site, and the sense of pride it seems to create. Hearing that always means a lot to me, because it tells me our values are coming through in the work.
Brand wise, I am most proud of our commitment to designing spaces that feel authentic, confident, and connected to their place. We focus on designing environments that feel right for the people who will use them, the community that surrounds them, and the character of the site. Our work is grounded and meant to last.
For anyone learning about us for the first time, I would want them to know that we are a people first practice. We listen. We guide. We are inquisitive. We care about the full journey, as well as the end result. Our services cover everything from early concept studies to master planning, full design services, interior design, construction administration, and long term planning for future development. But the real value we bring is the way we think, the way we collaborate, and the way we help our clients feel confident in every decision.
At the end of the day, designshop is about creating places that matter. Places that feel intentional, places that make life a little better, and places that bring people together. That is what we strive for every day, and it is what continues to inspire me about this work.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I would say the quality that has shaped my journey the most is consistency. I try to show up the same way every day with a calm, steady commitment to doing things the right way and treating people with respect. That approach has carried me through every phase of my career and it has influenced the way we practice at designshop.
That steady mindset eventually became part of the firm’s culture. People come to us because they know what they will get. They know we will listen, we will guide them with clarity, and we will follow through on what we say. That reliability has built trust with clients, consultants, contractors, and city leaders, and it has created long term relationships that feel more like partnerships.
Curiosity is another quality that has shaped both me and the firm. I enjoy learning how people use space, how communities grow, and how design can elevate an ordinary moment. That curiosity pushes us to think beyond the building and consider the entire experience. Over time it has become one of designshop’s strengths. We are known for looking deeper, asking better questions, and designing with intention.
And I think empathy plays a big part as well. When you truly care about what someone is trying to accomplish, you design differently. You listen differently. You communicate differently. That spirit is woven into our work. It is why our buildings feel connected to people and place, and why our clients often describe us as both guides and collaborators.
So while these qualities began as part of who I am, and Tim as well, they have become the foundation of designshop. The firm reflects the same consistency, curiosity, and empathy that shaped its beginning, and they continue to guide every project we take on.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.designshoparc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designshoparc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/designshop.arc/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/designshop-arc/
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottguidry/
