Our deep dive into the people behind all of the awesome craft brewery design coming out of OPA Design Studio continues as we recently sat down with Duke Gambino, another of The Brewery Architect’s dedicated project managers. With years of experience in the architecture industry under his belt, he lends his insights and experience to our design staff on a daily basis, and now, he’s sharing some of those nuggets of wisdom with you. Duke has been instrumental in the design of some of OPA’s most recent and recognized breweries including Vista Brewing in Driftwood (Texas), Pinthouse Pizza's Round Rock Brewpub (Texas), and Rally Cap Brewing in Baton Rouge (Louisiana).
Like a hot and spicy Louisiana gumbo, Duke has a big, bold personality that our clients love, and we often receive requests for him from repeat clients whose previous projects he’s managed in the past.
1) You’ve been with OPA since 2015. What do you like most about how our team has grown in all of that time?
It has been great to see OPA grow over the years. Growing is a process, and it usually takes time to see how personalities mold together as a team. However, because of the easy going personalities and talent of our staff, I feel that OPA’s work environment has quickly developed into a fun and openly creative environment for everyone to learn and grow in their professional journey and have a few laughs while they do it.
2) What do you consider your greatest architectural accomplishment so far?
I can’t really pinpoint one. It’s like asking a parent who their favorite child is.
Duke was heavily involved in the design of Pinthouse Pizza’s newest brewery location in Round Rock, Texas.
3) In 3 sentences or fewer, what does your daily life at OPA look like?
Coordinating multiple projects, all varying in project phase, determining deliverable schedules, and planning project designers’ and my own time to meet project milestones, while coordinating that information with consultants (MEP, Structural, Landscape, Civil, Contractors). Communication between the design, construction, and owner teams is extremely important to limit confusion, no matter if we are in preliminary design or construction.
4) What is the best thing about being in the architecture profession today?
The advancing technology in architectural drafting and 3D programs — they have helped architects communicate the design to the entire design team and client, while also helping the architect understand any issues that may be in the design. Additionally, 3D walkthroughs and virtual reality software have now given us the opportunity to put the client into the project, which takes the confusion and anxiety [out of] approving a design, and allows the client to really get excited and, most importantly, informed throughout the design process.
5) What motivates you?
Creating buildings/spaces that leave an impression on visitors. Not everyone pays attention to architecture; most of the time, they are concerned about the food or products being sold, but if you can be involved with creating a space that people remember and tell their family and friends about, then that makes all the time spent worth it.
6) It’s pretty well acknowledged that you proudly rep Louisiana around the OPA office. Can you please give us a little insight into how living under the yellow sun of Austin, Texas, seems to have basically given you super powers?
When you’re in a state as proud as Texas, you have to represent your state just as hard. What’s similar for both states is that culture, food, family, and friends are a way of life, Louisiana just does it better….hahaha!
7) As a seasoned project manager, you have designers work on multiple projects for you every day. What advice would you give to new, aspiring design professionals coming out of architecture school in 2020 who want to kickstart their careers in the field?
Be a sponge — every project presents a new opportunity to learn or get better at something. No matter how big or small the task is, your experiences are the greatest teacher in life and in your profession.
Vista Brewing in Driftwood was one of Duke’s breakout projects with OPA Design Studio, where his architectural design ability and attention to every detail came together to create a complete craft experience for visitors to the Texas Hill Country.
8) Please fill in the blanks (feel free to use multiple words for each blank):
“Good architectural design is memorable, but great architectural design is everlasting.”
9) Define great design in 5 words or fewer.
Art, Effective, Honest, Invisible, Everlasting
10) How have you managed to stay so humble and grounded in light of the fame and adulation you’ve received for being the face of our recent OPA virtual reality video that has received so much positive attention online?
No comment… but to all my fans out there, send tacos!