In this episode, Jamie Seeker sits down with Paul Ladensack, a seasoned architect with over 30 years of experience designing spaces that go beyond function—they tell stories, honor history, and serve communities. As a principal at CCBG Architects, Paul has led a variety of award-winning projects, including cultural, religious, commercial, and residential buildings.

Paul shares insights on balancing creativity with functionality, how every building has a DNA, and the importance of listening to clients. He also talks about adaptive reuse—revitalizing historic spaces rather than demolishing them—and the impact that design has on people’s daily lives.

The conversation wraps up with his dream project, a Presidential Library, and his advice for business owners: surround yourself with colleagues of shared direction and maintain balance in life.

• Grew up in a creative, artistic family with many influences.
• Initially thought architecture was only about designing exteriors—later learned the importance of interiors and community impact.
• Credits his professors for shaping his understanding of design.

• Listening to clients is at the heart of their process.
• Every project blends history, community identity, and modern functionality.
• Paul believes architects are storytellers, not just designers.

• Paul was brought in after two previous architects failed to align with the community’s vision.
• The original plan was to tear down the existing church, but Paul realized its deep meaning to the congregation.
• Instead, he preserved and repurposed the church, turning it into a lobby while building a new worship space.
• This project reinforced his belief that architecture should honor history and people’s emotional connection to spaces.

• "Every building has a DNA." Understanding it makes the project successful.
• In Phoenix’s Warehouse District, CCBG has repurposed historic buildings multiple times for different clients.
• The key is working with the structure instead of against it to maintain its integrity and functionality.

• Paul values feedback and criticism from industry peers.
• Awards are not about personal recognition, but rather a testament to strong client relationships and good design.
• Younger architects at CCBG enjoy competing and learning from critiques.

• Travel as much as possible to experience different forms of architecture.
• Listen to professors and mentors—their lessons can shape an entire career.
• Embrace criticism as a tool for growth, both from professors and colleagues.

• Early in his career, he worked on a high-stakes project for the Missouri Botanical Garden.
• The project started small but quickly became a major focus for conservationists.
• The experience taught him how to handle pressure and adapt.

• If given the opportunity, Paul would love to design a Presidential Library.
• Believes it would be an incredible challenge to capture history, legacy, and national significance in architecture.
• He encourages listeners to look up past Presidential Libraries for inspiration.

• “Seek colleagues of shared direction.” Surrounding yourself with the right people makes work and life more fulfilling.
• Maintain balance. Overworking leads to burnout, but great design (and business) requires a holistic approach.
• Architecture is everywhere—it’s something people are born into, live in, and die in, shaping their daily experiences.

1. “Every building has a DNA. If you understand it, the project will go smoothly.”
2. “It’s not about us being architects—it’s about being architects for our clients.”
3. “Good architecture tells a story, not just through design, but through meaning and function.”
4. “Seek colleagues of shared direction. When you grow together, you succeed together.”
5. “Criticism is not a bad thing—it’s a tool for growth.”
6. “The best projects are the ones where we listen, not just to our clients, but to the buildings themselves.”
7. “Architecture is living and breathing within the world—you experience it every single day.”
8. “The best ideas come when we work with a building, not against it.”
9. “Balance is key—you can work yourself crazy, but at the end of the day, you need to enjoy life too.”
10. “If I could design anything, I’d love to create a Presidential Library—capturing the heart and soul of history in architecture.”

Paul’s deep respect for architecture as both an art and a service to communities shines through in this episode. His commitment to listening, preserving history, and designing with meaning makes him a standout leader in the field.

Where to Find Paul:

• Website: CCBG Architects
• LinkedIn: Paul Ladensack
• Visit the Studio: If you’re in Downtown Phoenix, stop by for a tour of CCBG’s work!

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