Black coffee, yacht rock, and.... a self-tied deer hair popper?
For the latest Teska ‘People Feature’ series, Teska Senior VP, Nick Patera, sat down with his right-hand-man, long-time Teska veteran, and newly promoted Principal, Danny O’Brian. In addition to how he takes his coffee, preferred music genre, and ‘goated’ fishing lure, Danny shed some light on why he chose this career path and his experience as a landscape architect and designer. We are privileged and honored to have Danny on Team Teska, and it's with great pleasure we announce his promotion to Principal Landscape Architect! Read on...
Meet Danny O'Brian, Teska Principal & Landscape Architect
Passionate about well-planned landscapes, golf, hot sauce and good design, Danny O'Brian is a man of many interests and talents. Quick to lend his innovative thinking, technical know-how and elite “Sharpie” skills to any and all Teska projects, our studio benefits greatly from his creative perspective and collaborative energy. His passion and freeform zest for land planning and site design are readily visible in the form of colorful trace and stacked sketches that surround his desk like a bird's nest.
A native Hoosier and graduate of Ball State University, Danny spent several years honing his craft and gaining experience ahead of joining Teska. From urban and suburban residential design to corporate campuses and memorial gardens, he worked on a broad range of site design projects across the Chicago-land Area, Lake Geneva, and Milwaukee. Some notable landscape architectural projects since joining the Teska ranks include Oak Trace, King Bruwaert, and Three Pillars.
Danny lives with his wife and daughter in Highland Park where they are restoring a beautiful 1940s Georgian-style home. In his free time, you can find Danny perfecting his swing on the golf course, heavy lifting in the gym, building his own terrace and gardens, or cooking up something new and delicious on the grill (hot sauce not required, but highly encouraged).
Q: What made you choose Landscape Architecture? Was there an “it” moment?
A: A confluence of influences shaped the “it” moment. Growing up, I had a number of opportunities. I've always had a deep admiration for the hand-drawn patent drawings from my maternal grandfather, who was a mechanical engineer. I also always been inspired by the outdoors and daily experience of having free access to nature, creeks, woods, my family lake cottage, family gardens, and big open sky. Taking advanced architectural and mechanical drawing courses in high school lead to entering Ball State’s Architecture and Urban Planning program. That began to define the “it” – combining landscape architecture and eventually land planning. Also, my passion for the royal and ancient game of golf has always been a sweet spot in the portfolio bag.
A Danny-original sketched plan
Q: What motivates you as a landscape architect and designer?
A: Working with a client to understand their objectives then adding a sense of excitement that creates the project personality. Inspiration comes from a clean trace and a sharpie – getting to explore designs that benefit people by shaping their environment. Finding a solution that meets the client's needs and adds memorable character into a plan is both stimulating and rewarding.
"Inspiration comes from a clean trace and a sharpie..."
Q: How would you describe your job to a 10 year old?
A: I design neighborhoods where people live – where houses get built, where trees get planted, where roads lead.
Q: What are your favorite types of projects?
A: The most rewarding projects are planning urban and open space conservation communities and imagining the enjoyment people will get from meeting neighbors. There is great satisfaction in creating a ‘special place’ that evokes subliminal positive feelings and emotions without having to explain ‘why.’
Q: Looking back over your career, have you ever had a moment where you knew you met your calling?
A: Anytime I receive a good response to a well-thought-out plan. I get major satisfaction from receiving positive feedback about a solution that we have thoughtfully crafted. Also, the feeling that I get when producing a unique design where all the collective parts fit together and are cost effective, distinctive and provide inspiration. – that’s the ultimate reward.
"I get major satisfaction from receiving positive feedback about a solution that we have thoughtfully crafted."
Q: What's it like being part of Team Teska?
A: Teska provides me the opportunity and privilege to work with similar minded creative and passionate people who are personable and considerate above all. I feel that if I do a great job on a project, it inspires our team to rally their talents and elevate the overall outcome. Having a “call back” or a referral from a client asking for “more of that’ is especially rewarding.
Q: Can you reflect on a piece of memorable advice from a mentor?
A: Stay focused on the solution to provide satisfying results.
Q: What distinguishes a mentor and project manager?
A: A mentor provides constructive solutions and builds ideas collectively. A leader shares some of the same traits but directs. It requires balance and trust to stimulate others.
Q: What is your approach to giving constructive feedback?
A: Never a ‘no.’ Provide suggestions for constructive feedback and solution-based alternatives.
Q: Favorite tool, program, old-school tool or passe tech? Spraymount n roller?
A: Sharpie pen and trace paper for sketching quick ideas.
Q: Any favorite hobbies?
A: All Sports. Cooking and gardening are on the list but nothing tops golf and strength / weight training. The ability to ‘tinker’ and familiarity with how things are put together is a family heritage gift, as well.
Q: Rapid Fire Favorites
- Coffee: Strong black coffee
- Music: Yacht Rock, Blues, and early 2000s Hip Hop
- Place I'd Like To Return: Grand Teton fly fishing trip with my dad
- Activity: Triple Crown Day, make a birdie, catch a fish, and grill something
- Fishing Lure: Deer hair popper presented with a perfect cast from an 8-weight fly rod
Q: Now a fun one – If you were caught in a zombie apocalypse and could only bring three things related to landscape architecture, what would they be and why?
A: Trace paper and a fresh sharpie, strong cup of coffee, and some hot sauce (Cholula or Frank’s)