Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley McClure.
Hi Ashley, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
After 20 years of experience designing residences, restaurants, and workplace interiors, I jumped at the opportunity to create my own business focused on places where people gather. Especially after the pandemic, I think that places like this are being realized as a critical component of how we build connections, influence positive change, and build social equity. Whether these opportunities present themselves on a front porch or a coffee shop, spaces that encourage togetherness is a key component in what I want to create at Studio Wythe. In fact, it’s built into the name: a wythe is a thickness of brick; multiple layers bonded together bringing strength and stability to solid construction. It’s the same with our community: these kinds of gathering spaces provide a much needed opportunity to bring people together as a force for positive change.
Three years in, I can definitely say that while the process of starting a new business is not easy, having a community of support is invaluable! I look forward to continuing to grow my network of designers, organization leaders, artisans, and builders as we support each other and help co-create an ecosystem of design in Atlanta. Our city is in a critical phase of growth right now and it’s up to all of us to make sure we’re implementing the best design solutions to not only meet today’s needs, but also have an eye for the future of our city and region.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Ha! Smooth… there’s been some bumps. For example, when I was approached to convert an existing large single-family house into a boutique bed and breakfast, I knew it was a unique opportunity—one that could shape the future of Studio Wythe. The project wasn’t just another renovation; it had a specific narrative and point of view that deeply intrigued me. The idea of transforming an existing landmark residence into a place where new stories could unfold felt like the perfect challenge. I was excited, maybe even a little too eager, to figure it all out.
The first step was crucial: getting approval from the city council. Without that, nothing else could move forward. But we were in a tricky spot. Developing a complete design plan would have been a significant financial investment, and doing so without knowing if the project would even be approved seemed too risky. So, we went in with a broad vision but without all the details ironed out. I knew it was a gamble, but it was the only way to proceed without putting ourselves (and our clients) at too much financial risk.
Unfortunately, that decision opened the door for criticism. Some people used our lack of finalized plans to poke holes in the design, suggesting we were trying to circumvent building codes, accessibility regulations, environmental considerations, and other crucial aspects of the project. In reality, we were simply trying to see if the concept of the bed and breakfast would be approved before diving into the minutiae. The intent was always to comply fully with every regulation, but we needed to know we had a green light first before we solved all the problems.
Despite our efforts, the project didn’t get the approval we needed. It was a tough blow. This was going to be the largest project Studio Wythe had ever taken on, and its denial was a hit to both our finances and our clients’ dreams. The disappointment was real, and for a moment, I felt bitterness creeping in. But I quickly realized that bitterness doesn’t fix anything—it just festers and holds you back.
Coming back from that setback wasn’t easy. It required resilience, not just in the face of financial loss, but in the challenge of moving forward when a dream falls apart. I had to remind myself that speaking with authority and thoroughly explaining the vision to the public is vital, especially when tackling controversial projects. It’s difficult, but it’s necessary. In the end, the experience reinforced an important lesson: resilience isn’t just about bouncing back; it’s about how you choose to move forward, even when the path isn’t clear.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Studio Wythe, LLC?
Honestly, one of my biggest fears as an architect is getting boxed in: being known only for houses, or only for restaurants, or only for workplace design. I’ve done all of those, and I’ve loved each for different reasons. But what draws me to a project isn’t its type… it’s the people behind it.
My favorite clients are collaborators: people with a spark of vision who want to explore possibilities together. They’re open to discovery, to testing ideas, to seeing how space, light, and material can tell their story in a new way.
I’m not the right fit if the goal is just to get a set of drawings for permit. What excites me is partnering with someone to build an experience: to weave a tapestry of ideas, craft, and emotion that becomes something larger than either of us could make alone.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I once worked with an ad agency in designing a new space for their creative studio, and their tagline was “Unthink Everything.” To me, that does a really good job of encouraging me not to accept things at face value, or to just do things the way I’ve always done it. The process of unthinking means that I’m unraveling the preconceived notions behind a design need or desire, and getting to the heart of the issue. This means asking a lot of questions, looking at many design iterations, testing design solutions, etc. How that plays our for each of my clients varies, and I’m still working on defining a set process (although… I suppose that if I did have a set process, I’d eventually have to unthink that as well). This doesn’t make for the most efficient design process, but I think helps me get to the root of the problem and have a better chance of tailoring a design to help solve it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.studiowythe.com
- Instagram: studiowythe
Image Credits
All project photography (except stone house) by Angie Terrell.
Renderings, sketches, and stone house photography by Studio Wythe.
Portrait by Melle Houston.
