Inspiration, Art, and the Path to Architecture
Steve Nguyen has always loved being outside. Growing up, whether he was playing in the park, riding his bike, or just exploring the woods, Steve saw nature as more than a backdrop; it was his inspiration. Once home, he’d spend hours in his sketchbook recreating the landscapes, trees, and streetscapes. As his love for art evolved, so did his education. With lines, color, shapes, and proportion, his sketches evolved into designs. While at Texas A&M University pursuing an Art History degree, Steve began incorporating the built environment into his art and discovered he could create a new kind of environment. While his artistic ability evolved, Steve began to travel and take in more of the world around him. As he traveled and discovered cities across the globe, Steve realized he wanted to be part of shaping the actual building blocks of society, which led him to the study of architecture.
Unconventional Skills
Steve made a short stop in the hospitality world, working as a restaurant manager, before getting his start at a small architecture firm. Stepping into the architecture industry and jumping into projects right away helped him see the value of taking initiative early. His confidence grew alongside his knowledge and ability, allowing him to develop organizational skills and technical competence. As he became more immersed in the architecture landscape, Steve realized he was ready for a bigger challenge and began to seek out opportunities at larger firms. Friends and colleagues spoke highly of Kirksey’s reputation, urging Steve to apply when a position opened, which commenced a new phase in his career. Kirksey's leadership immediately recognized his initiative and management experience, and he quickly became one of the firm’s go-to project coordinators.
Meeting the Challenge
For Steve, his lifelong love of sketching is a form of discovery, where he can draw out individual details to find a better solution. At Kirksey, Steve gravitates towards projects with complex design challenges that require committed execution and an eye for detail. He’s known for his ability to balance design with constructability and long-term performance. His leadership has been essential to Kirksey’s evolving team structure, working alongside both junior and senior staff and helping to cultivate a culture of learning and mentorship.
New Roots
These days, inspiration comes from many places: watching his kids, nieces, and nephews grow into their lives and careers, seeing young artists create and collaborate at concerts, and sharing weekly lunches with his 92-year-old mother, who still cooks with passion and purpose. Moments big and small remind him to keep finding meaning and joy as life continues to evolve.
