Fireside Chats

Conversations That Spark the Future

At TGB Architects, we believe that innovation starts with conversation - and that the best conversations happen when we slow down, gather thoughtfully, and ask bold questions.

That’s why we’ve launched TGB Fireside Chats: A new series of intimate, engaging events designed to spark fresh thinking and build meaningful connections. Each session invites a diverse group of curious minds to explore a powerful theme, guided by guest contributors who inspire dialogue.

As we look toward the horizon and imagine the future we hope to shape, we’ve identified four themes we are eager to explore:

-  Being a part of something BIG & AUDACIOUS 
“Make no small plans, for they have no magic to stir one’s blood.” – Daniel Burnham
At times, our daily work can feel small, even routine. Yet history reminds us that we’ve been part of bold, meaningful efforts before. How did we find that sense of purpose? What gave our work weight and impact? And how might we once again reach for something that stirs our blood and expands our vision?

- Playfulness
Our world is increasingly shaped by regulations, budgets, efficiency demands, and value engineering.  And still, woven into past and present projects, we find moments of delight, humor, and energy. Playfulness has a way of sneaking in, even against the odds. How did that spark ignite, and how might we welcome more of it into our work today?

- What to do with AI?
“The future is here, it’s just not very equally distributed” - William Gibson
It is upon us. Artificial intelligence promises to be the greatest disrupter of our time.  History has taught that new technological breakthroughs can be both wonderful and terrifying. How might we navigate this new tool to find our way to ‘wonderful’?

- Building communities in a new world.
We live in a crowded world that grows lonelier. The wealthy accumulate more yet feel increasingly isolated; the poor and marginalized struggle with too few resources; and many find themselves drawn to screens but distanced from each other. In such a landscape, how can what we design, and how we design, become a force for belonging, connection, and shared health?

This is what we mean by a Fireside Chat: Imagine a welcoming setting, good food and drink, and a circle of curious, thoughtful people. We invite a guest not to lecture, but to spark conversation - rich with questions, comments, and stories. Together, we explore, wonder, and dream about what comes next.

​Introducing Andrew McMasters
We are exploring Playfulness with Andrew McMasters.

Andrew McMasters is an actor, director, author and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in the arts. He is a founder of a non-profit theater that he managed for 25 years. He has worked for multiple Fortune 500 companies including Amazon, Microsoft, GE, Hasbro, Google, Valve, Nike and Apple. His company provides leadership development and presentation support as well as team building trainings all over the world.
Andrew is dedicated to experiential learning, providing opportunities for self-discovery and driving innovation in our everyday lives. His book “Listening without Agenda” teaches leaders how to unlock deeper trust, influence, and connection by blending the presence of an actor with the clarity of a business mind - offering a radically human approach to communication in a distracted world. “Listening without Agenda” is available online and in books stores everywhere.
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Website: www.ImprovMindset.com