What makes a space truly meaningful? For Amador Saucedo, our Design Director at O’Brien Architects, it’s not just about what gets built, it’s about what gets felt.
In this article, Amador opens up about his design philosophy, how O’Brien Architects approaches community-centered work, and why creating opportunities for human connection is at the heart of everything he does.
Keep reading to discover how he’s redefining what it means to design with intention and why the most powerful spaces are often the ones that bring people together.
Helping Others See What’s Possible
In every project, every mentorship moment, and every conversation with a client, Amador leads with empathy, experience, and a deep respect for the communities we serve.
His perspective is shaped by years of learning, listening, and building alongside our team. And the way he sees it, the most powerful designs are the ones that make room for real connection.
From the start, Amador has approached design as a way to lift others up.
“Here at O’Brien, I like to help others… That’s kind of my thing that I love to do, is be able to help upcoming designers and help them create projects that are meaningful to them and to others.”
– Amador Saucedo, Design Director at O’Brien Architects
For us, mentorship isn’t just part of our culture, it’s how we grow together. Amador plays a vital role in guiding design direction across the studio, ensuring our work reflects the values we share and the people we serve.
We Draw What Can Be Built
At O’Brien Architects, design is never just about the idea. It is about turning that idea into something real and lasting.
“We really pride ourselves… that we design and draw buildings that can be built,” Amador says. “That’s one thing we hold ourselves accountable to.”
Our team is often asked to help assess feasibility, align a project with budget expectations, or adapt a design to meet code requirements while preserving the spirit of the original idea.
It’s work that requires both precision and empathy, and it’s built on years of experience delivering tangible outcomes for our clients with projects like The Gates of Prosper.
No Egos, Just Intentional Design
We believe that the best design doesn’t come from asserting a personal style. It comes from understanding the people you’re designing for and the place where the work will live. That’s why we approach every project with a mindset rooted in humility, collaboration, and care.
“Our philosophy is we check our egos at the door,” Amador says. “We don’t need our design to look the same for each client.”
This philosophy frees us to be fully present in each project. Rather than chasing consistency in form, we look for consistency in purpose. That means aligning with the goals of the client, responding to the context of the site, and considering how the architecture will shape and serve the lives of those who use it.
“We’re very sensitive to the context of the community and where this project’s going to exist within the built environment,” Amador explains. “We’re very conscious of the design decisions that we make… to make sure that it feels seamless with the landscape.”
Intentional design requires more than creativity. It requires discipline. Every choice, from site orientation to material palette, is made to support long-term value, function, and meaning.
A Career-Defining Moment: Designing The Star
Among the many projects that have shaped Amador’s career, one stands out: The Star District in Frisco, Texas.
As part of the design team, he had the opportunity to contribute to a project that brought together a wide range of disciplines and design challenges.
“I think probably one of the most impactful projects that I was able to be a part of was The Star,” Amador says. “Being able to work with that entire development team was something that was so memorable—once in a lifetime.”
The experience shaped the way he approaches collaboration. Rather than leading from a single point of view, the team welcomed insight from every contributor, whether that came from the landscape architect, the experiential designer, or other consultants involved in shaping the space.
“That project really taught me how to be open to collaboration with other consultants… we didn’t have big egos. We wanted to hear other perspectives.” – Amador Saucedo, Design Director at O’Brien Architects
The success of The Star came from that shared investment. Every detail reflected a collective vision, focused on creating a place where people want to gather and return.
The project served as a powerful reminder that design is at its best when it invites participation and is strengthened by a diversity of voices.
Creating Spaces That Connect Us
At the heart of our work is a belief that architecture should bring people closer. We think beyond buildings and into the everyday moments that unfold between them. The spaces where people linger are just as important as the structures themselves.
“There’s a lot of different things that create these special moments and touch points,” Amador explains. “But just understanding that a lot of people want to connect and creating those spaces for them to connect… is really special.”
We often incorporate small interventions that have an outsized impact, pocket parks tucked between buildings, open-air gathering spaces framed by landscaping, or pathways that encourage a slower, more social pace of movement. These are not add-ons. They’re central to how we think about connection.
Design Rooted in People, Shaped by Purpose
Amador’s approach reflects the values we hold close at O’Brien Architects: a belief in mentorship, thoughtful collaboration, and design that responds to real needs.
His perspective reminds us that our work is never about following a fixed formula or repeating what’s been done before, but more on showing up with curiosity, asking the right question to create spaces that feel intentional from the inside out.
Every project we take on is an opportunity to shape experiences and to contribute to something larger than ourselves.
That way, our architecture becomes part of everyday without feeling invasive. That’s the kind of impact we hope to make, with Amador’s leadership, and with every space we help bring to life.
About O’Brien Architects
For over 50 years, O’Brien Architects has been more than a design firm, we’ve been a trusted partner bringing vision to life.
Founded in 1974, our legacy is built on integrity, creativity, and a relentless commitment to our clients. Led by Sean O’Brien, alongside Josh Pollard, Kathy Filbert, Robert Evans, Mick Granlund, Ashley Acuff, Lorelei Mewhirter, and Amador Saucedo, our team believes great architecture isn’t just about buildings—it’s about the people who experience them.
We don’t impose a signature style, we listen, collaborate, and design with purpose, ensuring every project reflects the unique story behind it. With deep relationships and an unwavering dedication to excellence, we create more than spaces, we create moments that matter.