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We believe in the power of good design to transform communities and the lives of those who interact with the spaces we help create.
We started our small and eclectic studio in the fall of 2019 with a generalist approach to design: instead of chasing profit margin or obsessing over business growth, we wanted to focus on a handful of projects that were meaningful, thoughtful, and where we could spend time building lifelong friendships with the incredible members of our community.
We knew that these priorities would lead us to work on smaller projects, and potentially fewer projects over time, but we felt it was worth that risk. By prioritizing slow, thoughtful, people-driven design, we can be more invested members of our community, and we get the opportunity to work alongside owners, stewards, and users that are as committed to the success of the projects as we are.
What began as a small group of friends is now a tight-knit team made up of close to a dozen fantastic graphic designers, photographers, filmmakers, creatives, interior designers, and architects. We come from varied backgrounds, but share a common passion for creating joy where we can with what we have.
Our Team
Trent Smith
Founder, Farmer, Teacher
Trent Smith is an architect, interior designer, and instructor living in Salt Lake City, UT. He founded Modern Out West in 2019 to bring craft and beauty back into the architectural design of third places, community spaces where people live, work, and play. Trained and educated first as a farmer, then as an interior designer and an architect, Trent is uniquely qualified to bring a holistic approach to new builds, remodels and projects of all scales.
Steven Walters
Founder, Father, Manager
Steven is a seasoned and adept designer who brings a highly informed approach to our team as we tackle projects ranging from remodels and tenant improvement design to architecture. His meticulous design sensibility is underpinned by an intuitive grasp of the relationships, methods, and technical aspects associated with each project he undertakes.
Candice Bussdieker
Materialist, Interior Designer
Candice joined our team in the spring of 2021, seeking a change of pace after her many years of experience as a lead interior designer at ajc architects. She brings tenacity, nuance, and a strong portfolio of award-winning design work to the table, and is our secret weapon behind the seamless blend of aesthetics and function in many of our projects.
Owen Butler
Jena Smith
Founder, Artist, Designer
From the very beginning of our little studio, Jena has been an unstoppable force driving our commitment to relationships, clients, and beauty. Her designer’s eye and operations background come together to make her the ideal collaborator along every step of a project’s timeline. Trained in interior design and with more than a decade of experience in operations management roles, Jena has been our interiors lead since 2019.
Hakan Ashaboğlu
Founder, Artist, Designer
Hakan has been a part of the Modern Out West team since its inception, starting by planning out and renovating The Bliss Foundation for the Arts, helping to turn it into the studio space we work in today. He has an educational background in architecture, as well as a deep passion for art, graphic design, fashion, and film and digital photography.
Tristan Gray
Artist, Designer, Dancer
Tristan is our Architectural Support, a recent graduate from the University of Utah architecture program and a long-time Salt Lake City resident. Tristan brings a fresh perspective to our team, as well as creativity, empathy, and a knack for problem-solving. He uses a hands-on style to contribute to green walls, murals, and custom art features throughout our projects, always finding ways to infuse art into architectural projects.