Since joining Generator Studio in 2016, Andrew Kesel has been a driving force behind the firm’s notable projects and trusting relationships. As the Director of Architecture, his expertise in arena renovations and sports facilities has made him a key player in Generator’s well-known sports work like the renovation of Enterprise Center and the creation of CPKC Stadium. Andrew’s passion for collaboration, combined with his unwavering commitment to clients, has been instrumental in Generator’s growth. In addition to guiding the studio’s day-to-day operations, Andrew’s been a key guardian in preserving the studio’s collaborative and creative culture.
Get to know Andrew Kesel, one of Generator Studio’s new partners in this Q&A:
What led you to join the Generator team?
“So funny story, years back I was looking for a new job as the firm I was at was closing its doors. I actually had an interview set up with Mike and Tom and also with another firm. I was offered a job on the spot with the other firm and due to not being employed thought the best choice was to take it. So, I said ‘Hey, Pete, these guys over at Generator Studio are looking for help and I didn’t take the interview because I took this other job. You should check out.’ So Pete did, that’s how he ended up being their first employee, and then, five years later, I joined Generator Studio.”
Since joining Generator, and now being here nearly nine years, what type of growth have you seen the studio go through?
“All types. Growth in technology; being relatively low-tech and now pushing the boundaries of 3D output through AR/VR, video, renderings and even dabbling with AI. Growth in projects from fighting tooth and nail to be considered, to now being invited into large-scale proposals. It’s been across the board. In the beginning, we were just flying by the seat of our pants. So we got a little bit more organized every year, and over time gained clients’ trust.”
How did that trust help find Generator continued work?
“The first phase of Amalie Arena was probably done when I got to Generator but that started the momentum. I came in as the momentum was building in the venue vertical. Amalie led to Enterprise Center, which led to Centene Community Ice Center, which led to the Kraken Community Iceplex, which led to CPKC Stadium in Kansas City; it was crazy. Not only did our project size evolve, but I think our design evolved. We continue to get better with every project.
In addition, I think our office culture evolved, because back then there were eight of us. So for every project, we were all hands on deck. Then as we grew to have more projects, we had to expand and bring more people in to support those projects. So naturally, you hire more staff. But you’ll notice here, that as we grow, we’re really careful about who we hire and how they’ll fit in the office.”
Speaking of that right fit, how does culture influence Generator Studio?
“Culture is one of those things you can’t really define. I can’t define what Generator Studio’s culture is. It just is what it is, but it seems to be fresh and fun and people enjoy it. I think we’ve just gotten more sophisticated as we’ve grown, even if it’s been painful at times—growing pains, as we say a lot. But I think we’ve really started to become sophisticated without becoming corporate, still allowing people the creativity to be themselves.”
How have you seen that culture benefit the studio?
“As we’ve grown, we’ve had younger staff. And maybe it was when we were in that, you know, say, 15-employee range that some of our younger staff left. I don’t think it was necessarily Generator’s fault, they wanted to go find new experiences, like one went to Seattle, one went to Colorado. And I don’t think that was our doing, but I think now with the things we’re doing in Kansas City, it’s allowed us to retain younger staff now that maybe wouldn’t have stayed before. There is a pathway forward here and people genuinely want to be a part of it. I don’t want to jinx that. I love our staff.”
What do you think are some of the traits that have carried over from the small office size to where it is now?
“I think our camaraderie has always been one thing. The team mentality is ‘we’re all in this together.’ I don’t know if that’s ever changed. When our projects are in the depths of deadlines, and it’s all hands on deck. Everyone’s invested, whether they’re on the team or not, and happy to help and throw in.
And I think we’ll always try to be fresh and on top of things. That and the love for employees. I mean it. We want everybody to be successful, not only professionally, but also be successful and fulfilled personally.”
Switching to the ownership side of things, how did that conversation begin?
“I remember during the Kraken Community Iceplex, subtly poking around about it with Tom when we were up in Seattle, I was like, ‘What’s your succession plan here, what’s your exit strategy?’ Just to start understanding if this was something that would be a potential for me. And I think it started to get Tom and Mike thinking about what’s next. They strategically didn’t name the place, Tom and Mike’s architecture shop, right? They named it Generator Studio for a reason. So it would live on after them. I think that did push things along a little bit.”
From that first conversation to now, what was that initial reaction when you were approached to become a partner?
“When I was approached with my two colleagues, Pete and Christina, about making this happen, I was just super excited. It’s where I want to be, it’s where I want to retire from. I want to make it better, keep it successful, and keep the doors open.”
Now as a partner, what do you hope to maintain about the firm in its current form?
“Knowing everyone here and knowing a little bit about them. I don’t necessarily want to get much bigger, because I think we’ll start to lose that slowly. As you grow just more people, it’s more difficult to know them, to know everyone. So right now at this size, 30 people, I mean it’s tough to know what everyone’s doing but you know everyone’s name, you know what they are into. It’s easy to have a conversation. So that’s what I want to keep.
Also, just remembering to give back. Mike’s very big on when he started Generator it was to do local work so he could show his kids that we designed that. Being able to say ‘my firm designed that here in town, go by and see it.’ We’ll continue to do that because I like driving by our projects here in town. Not many can do that.”
On the opposite end, is there anything you see changing in the future?
“I can see us growing into more complex projects. We’ve done a full stadium now, so we’ve learned our lessons on that. So hopefully, we can grow that side of our business. And then, obviously, keep doing better design.”
Last question, what do you think this kind of ownership expansion says about Generator as a whole?
“With other ownership options, whether that be through an ESOP or a VC route, it can come off disingenuous at times and become about the wrong thing. For some, it becomes a numbers game, rather than a place where you want to do good work and have happy employees. It becomes about the bottom line. We want to be successful and be able to give everyone bonuses at the end of the year, but at the same time, we want to have a good time, do cool projects, and have fun.
I think what it means to me personally is that Mike and Tom believed in me and that I could be a person to continue the legacy of Generator Studio. I mean, that’s heavy, but it’s also exciting, right? It shows everyone that you don’t have to do it like everyone else. You can actually grow your staff to become the next owners, rather than relying on someone to come in and buy you or hiring outside of the company. So to be able to do that homegrown, I think it shows that there’s a lineage here that you can actually manifest by growing it within rather than looking outwards.”
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Andrew joins the expanded ownership group of Generator Studio that includes Technical Director Peter Baird, Director of Interior Design Christina Franklin, and Co-founders Tom Proebstle and Mike Kress.