Tryba Architects' fully-integrated, multi-disciplinary studios give us the flexibility to provide a full range of services to our clients. Leslie Hallquist, NCIDQ and Elizabeth Goodnite, NCIDQ, talented senior members of our Denver Interior Design studio, each bring a unique depth of experience while also embracing a highly collaborative approach to design. Leslie leads our commercial and workplace interiors projects, while Elizabeth focuses on residential and hospitality.
What drew you to a career in interior design?
From childhood I’ve always been drawn to architecture and the wonder of how things are put together. I remember always wanting to change the layout of my bedroom and figure out the optimized layout configuration and color combination for my room.
Tell us about your approach to the design process. What inspires you?
For me, the design process is first about understanding the client and listening to their needs. It’s a journey of discovery to find what inspires them and what problem they are trying to solve. From this understanding and with the guidance of the basic principles of design, we can craft a unique design solution with an enduring aesthetic.
I am inspired by the world around us. Just look up! Strolling through cities and observing how I feel in different types of spaces teaches me a lot about great design. I also pull inspiration from nature; I feel most satisfied and calm being in nature and strive to bring that feeling into the built environment.
Describe how the interiors team works in collaboration with each other, and with the other Tryba studios.
We have a highly collaborative and supportive interiors team. We collaborate on design solutions within the studio as well with the other Tryba studios on a daily basis.
What is one current project that you’re especially excited about?
I am excited to be delivering Davis, Graham and Stubbs' new office build out. It's especially exciting since it is located in Paradigm River North, our very own Tryba-designed new core and shell office building in RiNo.
Please share something fun about yourself that is not in your bio.
I make a killer homemade cheesecake! Goat cheese and raspberry swirl is my favorite.
Best piece of wisdom or advice you’ve received that you’d like to pass on:
Check your alignments…but for real they make a big difference.
What is your favorite thing about working at Tryba Architects?
The people! I get to work with amazing and talented people that inspire me to become a better every day.
How do you envision the future of Tryba’s interior design studio?
I believe Tryba’s interior design studio future is bright. We have the best and most talented group to bring forth growth and exciting new projects. I have great faith in our teamwork and our commitment to great design.
What drew you to a career in interior design?
I wanted to do a creative job from a very early age. I took art lessons growing up, and from middle school into my freshman year of college, fashion design was my goal. Through a couple reality checks I decided to change thing up and go with my second choice of interior design and I am supremely glad that I did! Interior design uses creativity but has also shown and taught me skills that I had no idea I would excel in when I was choosing a career path.
Tell us about your approach to the design process. What inspires you?
My process begins with story, context, and the people that will inhabit the space. Those morsels of inspiration can come from anywhere such as geographic context of a site, memories of my childhood in rural Mississippi, historic architecture and furniture design, stories and lore, nature, other designers' work, art, and culture just to name a few. But most importantly I am inspired by the people I work with and our phenomenal clients that push for the best at every turn. Inspiration can come from anywhere!
Describe how the interiors team works in collaboration with each other, and with the other Tryba studios.
We have a tight-knit group of interior designers in the Tryba studio. We are in constant communication and work very fluidly across sectors, projects, and teams to help one another in those times when a few extra hands are needed. We foster a blurry line between interior design, architecture, branding, product design, and so forth based on talents, interests and project needs—creating a very cohesive, collaborative, and excited group of teammates.
What is one current project that you’re especially excited about?
I’m excited about all my projects! But if I must pick one, today I am most excited about the Legacy Building currently under construction on the grounds of the National Western Stock Show. The Legacy Building will serve the community of the West as a hub for preservation of heritage, Western art, entertainment, and education. The level of outreach to a broad community is what gets me really excited!
Please share something fun about yourself that is not in your bio.
I moved to Colorado from Memphis, TN in 2016 to pursue a master’s in interior design at Colorado State. I was (maybe still am) a killer handbell player, and there is a town called Goodnight in West Texas that is named after a famous ancestor of mine!
Best piece of wisdom or advice you’ve received that you’d like to pass on:
Early in your career, do and see as much of the design process (concept through construction and handoff) as possible. I took that to heart and also applied that advice to a 10-year goal I set right out of school to dabble in as many project types as possible.
What is your favorite thing about working at Tryba Architects?
Hands down, the high standards that the company sets for design quality and projects that stand the test of time.
How do you envision the future of Tryba’s interior design studio?
I foresee a large amount of growth for us over the next few years both in the Denver and Texas offices. Our studio within the firm has been established and grown substantially over the last 10+ years and we are only going up from here!
