Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to GIANGTIEN NGUYEN, AIA, NCARB. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
GIANGTIEN, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about the early days of establishing your own firm. What can you share?
In 2019, I formally set up the company’s first phase called Creative Collaborations. The company provided BIM and CAD services for the Architecture and Engineer industry. As my experiences in my career expanded, I had a chance to learn more about myself professionally. I noticed my love for business management and operations. This journey of self-discovery has been very enlightening and taught me many valuable perspectives along the way. As a Project Manager for 8+ years, it has taught me many practical skills and knowledge. I believed that this was the initial seed for my passion for business management.
Very soon after, I connected with Afreen Pittalia, a co-worker of mine at that time, and now is my business partner and good friend. In March 2020, we renamed and rebranded the company to INVI – Innovative Visuals. Finding a perfect business partner is like finding your soulmate. I could never ask for a better business partner. Together we create a perfect balance that not only helps us grow individually but also together as a whole.
In July 2022, INVI morphed into what is now known as Mindful Design Space. Through the 2.5 years of operating as INVI, Afreen and I learned what our core beliefs were, and we made a difficult decision to change our company’s name to Mindful Design Space. We want to stay true to our beliefs and the name will be a constant reminder to us to always be mindful with every project that we have a chance to work on.
In the past 3 years, the company has gone through many changes and growth. We believe it is very important for the company to continue to grow, adapt, and change over time just like how we are as human beings. Every chapter is important, and we wanted to create a company that will always have the flexibility to grow. The world is always changing, so it is never good for a company to be static.
GIANGTIEN, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce your firm to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Founded by Afreen Pittalia and Giangtien Nguyen, Mindful Design Space is an architecture and design studio that focuses on creating sensible and meaningful experiences through thoughtful considerations of the environment, human comfort, and the senses. We are a team of thinkers, innovators, and designers with more than a decade of experience in architecture, construction, and design.
Our very first project was #ARTFORJUSTICE with Mr. Karim Farishta and Fort Bend County. We created a Virtual 360 art museum and curated art to commemorate George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter Movement as a sign of immense and heartfelt solidarity. We received an outpouring of artistic submissions from 155 artists from 14 states (CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, MA, NC, NJ, TX, VA, WA, WI) and 6 countries (United States, Colombia, Bangladesh, France, India, and Wales), with individuals ages 1 to 56 years old, we had over 160 art pieces in a 2-days call for submission. Our team completed the project in 72 hours, and it was an absolute success. The museum has received over 10,000 visitors, and we were featured on Fox, Houston Chronicle, and National Endowment for the Arts.
During this chaotic time, it is even more important for us to come together. Due to the global pandemic and physical distancing, we want to create a space that will allow us to be virtually connected, express our solidarity in the form of art, and let our creative imaginations be seen.
“Enter to Change the Cycle of History” are the words written on the concrete before you enter the virtual art gallery. From the entrance of the exhibit, you see a clenched fist sculpture located at the center, symbolizing our fight for justice and commemorating George Floyd, a man raised right here in Houston. In curating this work, we pay tribute to the countless Black brothers and sisters we’ve lost to police brutality and invite you to share this space in thoughtful reflection.
Darkness evokes feelings of distress, danger, and defenselessness. Yet, the brightest light is found in the darkest places. The natural light that glows into the space from the skylight above will guide you through the gallery. We want the light to be your direction and allow you to experience it in a counterclockwise path, changing the cycle of history. Let yourself experience the emotions of artists around the world and hear their voices from their artistic renderings.
The entry of the gallery is embraced in a rough, rocky formation, representing the chaotic time we are in. The trees at the end of the hallway symbolize life and hope that still exists during these tumultuous times. The art on the walls is our voice to honor George Floyd and stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter Movement. At the end of your journey, you will exit the museum through a more orderly smooth exit, symbolizing our hope for the future.
Our second project collaborated with the City of Houston and Chance L. Landry, President of the Southern Apache Museum, to design and create the virtual SOUTHERN PLAINS MUSEUM AND CULTURE CENTER (SPMCC) for Native American Heritage Month. Our main purpose was to create a COVID-19 safe environment for the community while sharing the stories and history of the Native American community with the rest of the world.
We worked together with Chance L. Landry to design a virtual space that highlights the narrative and symbolic representation of the Native American community. Through the process, we had a chance to learn about the meanings and history behind each flower, plant, symbol, artifact, etc. It allowed us to not only educate ourselves but also walk back into the past.
The SPMCC’s design includes program spaces for Southern Apache Museum, American Indian Genocide Museum, Library, Garden, Health Clinic, Aztec Pyramid, and Powwow Arena. Each of these spaces is important to the community, visually representing a part of its history, culture, and resources. The virtual platform is an interactive walk-through experience, allowing visitors to explore and learn at their own pace. Virtual platforms allow for global accessibility from almost anywhere in the world at any time, strengthening our connectivity to the world while maximizing the spread of information and knowledge. We hope that this experience can be shared with friends and family in the days to come.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
I met my business partner and friend Afreen Pittalia in 2018 at the architecture firm we were both working with at the time. We quickly connected over our passion for food and our positive go-getter attitude. Even though there is a 5-year age gap between us, Afreen is very mature, and I realized very quickly that there are so many things I can learn from her. I was instantly attracted to her creative visions, work ethic, story-telling skills, and most importantly, a very good soul. In retrospect, I think at our first meeting I always knew she was someone I wanted to learn from and grow together professionally. After 1 year of friendship, I asked her bluntly if she would like to start a business with me. It was a loaded question and at the time, she was not ready. A whole year passed since that conversation, but I never gave up and continued to patiently wait for her. She finally told me she was ready. That must be the life-changing moment of my life. Looking back, I am grateful that I was patient and persistent. Since then, it has been a fun and exciting journey!
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
Platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram have been a very good source of exposure, yet most of our clients came in through word of mouth. They are sometimes people we know or people that know someone we know. We have been extremely fortunate for these connections and opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mindfuldesignspace.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfuldesign_space/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giangtien-nguyen/
- Other: http://tiktok.com/@mindfuldesign_space
Image Credits
MINDFULDESIGNSPACE, LLC