Paul McClean, founder of McClean Design, returns to the podcast for an insightful conversation about the evolution of his internationally renowned residential architectural firm since our last interview in 2019. Paul shares how his business has expanded into the global market post-COVID, the challenges and rewards of working internationally, and the nuances of merging cultural traditions with contemporary design. We also dive into the process of developing his second book, Contemporary Living by McClean Design, and his deep appreciation for California’s architectural landscape.

In this episode, we discuss:

[00:26] Paul’s background and an overview of McClean Design [05:10] How his business model has evolved over the last 25 years [08:39] The impact of COVID on his firm and the industry [12:29] The importance of in-person collaboration in creative fields [15:13] Expanding into international markets and the challenges of working globally [22:57] The process of selecting homes for his latest book [26:08] The balance between honoring architectural history and creating modern spaces [29:39] The impact of California wildfires and the future of rebuilding [33:59] Paul’s perspective on leadership, relationships, and business longevity

Notable Quotes

• "We were always like, 'You need to come in and work.' Remember how sick we used to come to work? Now it's like, 'No way, stay home.'"
• "I think we've been very fortunate to be in business for 25 years now. But for the business to continue, it has to become less about me and more about the team."
• "Time zones are the biggest challenge in global design. The Middle East is a full 12-hour difference, and it’s really hard to get that to work."
• "COVID made people more critical of design. They now think deeply about how they live at home—offices, wellness, fitness spaces. That shift is here to stay."
• "The houses we design are the backdrop of people’s lives. Let’s not make them part of the problem—let’s make them part of the solution."

Resources

McClean Design Website Follow McClean Design on Instagram

Sponsor Links

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Daniel House Club – Source from over 150 of your favorite vendors with exclusive trade pricing and personal concierge service.

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