Kyle Burds AIA shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Kyle, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I’ve been really proud of everyone on the Studio B team lately. We recently brought on two new team members, and they immediately fit right in, adding to the great energy in the office. When they started, we maxed out our six-person workstation in the Boulder office. So I set up my own spot across the room, and now I get to watch the collaboration and camaraderie unfold from a bit of a distance, and I can’t help but feel proud to be apart of such a great team.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kyle Burds, and I’m an Architect and Partner at Studio B Architecture + Interiors. I’m originally from Thornton, Colorado, and studied architecture at the University of Colorado Boulder as a first generation College attendee and graduate.
I’ve always been drawn to both art and design, as well as technology and mechanics. I spent much of my childhood drawing, building, and creating. I started at Studio B as an intern during my senior year of college and quickly worked my way up. Just as the potential for a long-term future with the firm became clear, I made the choice to move to New York City. I spent several years there immersed in the city’s incredible art, architecture, and design scene before returning to Colorado to rejoin Studio B. One year later, I partnered with Sarah Harkins to buy out the firm’s founder, Scott Lindenau.
Studio B has always held a special place in my heart. The design ethos is pure and modern, the culture is collaborative and driven, and the client experience is both approachable and highly refined. Today, we’re a team of 12 full-time and 3 part-time members, including 5 licensed architects, working across Boulder, Aspen, and Santa Cruz, California, with projects spanning the country from Colorado to Illinois and Texas.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My mom taught me the most about work. She has always been incredibly hardworking, taking on a number of odd jobs over the years and never missing a beat. No matter the role, she gave it her all, took it seriously, and kept a positive attitude through thick and thin. She always did whatever it took to create a good life for me and my siblings.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would say, “take more risks, and give it your all”. Life is short, and I’ve never regretted taking a risk as long as I put forth the effort.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I asked my closest friend this question, and he said, “Doing meaningful work.” There’s a reason he’s my closest friend, and I couldn’t agree more. I was drawn to architecture because it’s challenging, creative, technical, and tangible. It offers a real opportunity to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life. By focusing on residential work, I get to see firsthand how the homes we design impact our clients and their families. The spaces we live in shape our mood, experiences, and productivity. For me, it’s an incredibly fulfilling career and way to live.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. How do you know when you’re out of your depth?
I know I’m out of my depth when I find I’m learning a lot. I also tend to have a hard time reaching out to people for help, but when I’m truly out of my depth I begin leaning on people with more knowledge and more experience to help guide me. Being out of your depth is the best way to learn to swim, right?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://studiobarchitects.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/studiob_arch
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/studio-b-architecture-interiors
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574060605211#
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/03ehmz4sdq44mx5qj5pymeb3i3ozyc/
Image Credits
Photography by James Florio. Renderings by Studio B Architecture + Interiors.
