Catch Wade Weissmann if you can- An architect with projects, proposals, and offices around the country, Wade is the opposite of a one-track mind. He is a visionary; able to draft homes, restaurants, bars, and estates with a Western charm and authentic glamour. His creations are not simply structures, they are emotional spaces, from a relaxed, content cabin to a fiery, seductive nightclub. Weissmann is not restricted to midwestern masterpieces, however. Penthouses in Manhattan are some of his most distinct projects; orate lobbies and French-inspired gold detailing have helped make his mark on some of the highest-end buildings in the city. Just like that, though, he can go from a hectic downtown avenue to a tranquil German farm to erect an intricate equestrian estate. This Designer Friday, I had the pleasure of speaking with the Schutze Award-winning architect about his fears and inspirations. 
An early concept drawing of a Weissmann project side-by-side with a real-life rendering of his designs.
Andrew Joseph – What’s your favorite time of day?
Wade Weissmann – 6 am.
Andrew – What is one thing no one knows about you?
Wade – I’m shy.
Andrew – Dream country to work in? Or a dream project to take on?
Wade – Creation of a Tuscan villa in Tuscany.
Andrew – What are three things you can’t live without?
Wade – Coffee, sketchbook, good friends.
Andrew – What’s your biggest fear in life?
Wade – Disappointing a client.
Beehive-like shelving and a sensuous marble fireplace blend feelings of calm and command in this spirited sitting room.
Andrew – What’s your current TV obsession?
Wade – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Andrew – What’s inspiring you in life (in the industry) right now?
Wade – The discovery of texture.
Andrew – Best advice you’d give your teenage self?
Wade – It doesn’t matter if people like you or not. Be yourself.
Andrew – Who is your ideal client?
Wade – Someone who wants to genuinely explore and is interested in gathering design goods from anywhere in the world.
Andrew – Are there qualities in potential clients that you identify that make you know you have to run away?
Wade – Typically if they talk badly about their previous team.
Andrew – Your affirmation for today?
Wade – Discover something new.
Inside Weissmann’s own Star Lake Cabin, crafted for himself and partner Matt Moran, exposed stone and paneled vaulted ceilings conjure a dreamlike Milwaukee retreat for a hardworking designer.
About Wade Weissmann | As the founder and principal of Wade Weissmann Architecture, Wade has taken his passion for designing finely-detailed, legacy homes and boutique hospitality spaces, and grown a firm that now maintains offices in Pittsburgh, Chicago, Milwaukee, Nashville and Santa Barbara. He is an active member of the ICAA, a passionate supporter of the arts and the Human Rights Campaign, and a recipient of the prestigious Shutze Award. Wade believes wholeheartedly that a collaborative approach to design always yields the greatest results.
Andrew Joseph is a regular contributing editor for ASPIRE DESIGN AND HOME magazine. See more of his work here.
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