Three perspectives on curiosity, purpose, and practice

Architecture isn’t a single moment of inspiration. It’s a long shift in how people learn to see problems, people, and places. At TSP, that growth shows up every day across experience levels, from emerging professionals to senior team members.

We asked three team members, Autumn, Bailey, and Brent, to reflect on how they found their way into architecture, what keeps them engaged, and how their perspective has evolved.

The result wasn’t a comparison of roles, but a shared thread: architecture becomes clearer the longer you practice it, even as the questions get more complex.

Autumn: From curiosity to healthcare-focused design

For Architectural Graduate Autumn Kayl, architecture started with curiosity long before it became a career.

“I always really enjoyed architecture and wanted to go inside of buildings just out of curiosity. After shadowing at a firm, I knew it was what I wanted to do.”

That early interest eventually grew into a focus on healthcare environments, where design directly supports human well-being. One of her most meaningful milestones so far has been the Brookings Medical Office Building, her first project carried from concept through completion.

“It was very rewarding being part of a project when it is just a thought to seeing the ribbon cutting and the space being used.”

Outside architecture, that human-centered theme shows up. Autumn notes she once considered nursing and sees a connection between caregiving and design.

Bailey: Finding meaning in community impact

The perspective of Architectural Graduate Bailey Wanner is rooted less in a single defining moment and more in the cumulative impact of the work itself.

For her, what stands out is not one favorite project, but the consistency of purpose throughout.

“I enjoy all projects at TSP because they are deeply community-oriented and make a meaningful impact.”

Two projects are particularly notable: the Natural History Museum of the Black Hills in Hill City and the Ronald McDonald House in Rapid City.

Both reflect a focus on spaces that serve public need in very different ways, but with a shared goal of long-term value.

Brent: From drawings to delivery and everything in between

For Brent Schulz, architecture began in a familiar place: drawing, building, and experimenting.

Lego sets, sketching, and an early interest in math and science eventually led him toward architecture as a balance between creativity and technical problem-solving.

“Math and science classes were interesting but not enough for me to be an engineer… so… architecture?”

Over time, his perspective has expanded from design intent to full project delivery, where coordination, construction realities, and client relationships become just as important as the drawings themselves.

He points to Columbus Community Hospital’s Fieldhouse and Cancer Center as especially meaningful, not just for their scale, but for the collaboration required to bring them to life.

“The client and contractors really worked as a team throughout both projects.”

He’s also quick to highlight something clients don’t always see: architecture is as much about stewardship as it is about design.

From early planning through construction and even post-occupancy, the architect’s role extends far beyond the drawing set.

Above from left: Brent Schulz, Bailey Wanner, Autumn Kayl. 

Different paths, shared perspective

While each of these professionals brings a different experience level into the field, their reflections converge on a few common ideas:

  • Architecture starts with curiosity but matures through responsibility.
  • The most meaningful work is tied to people and communities.
  • The design process doesn’t end at drawings, it continues through construction and use.

And perhaps most importantly, architecture is something that evolves as experience accumulates, and as each project adds another layer of understanding.

At TSP, that perspective, ranging from emerging professionals to senior practitioners, is part of what shapes how projects are approached and delivered.

Because good architecture isn’t just about solving today’s problem. It’s about learning how to see the next one more clearly.