EPISODE · Dec 3, 2025 · 31 MIN
Designing for Life: Architect Michele Grace Hottel’s Modern Vision
from Modern Home Mastermind with beSpoke brokers · host beSpoke brokers
In this episode, we sit down with architect Michele Grace Hottel, AIA, founder of MGHarchitect, whose work spans California and Arizona—from oceanfront modern redesigns to hillside homes overlooking Camelback Mountain. Michele shares her earliest design inspirations, the evolution of her architectural practice, the challenges and rewards of site-specific projects, and how she tailors each home to the people who live in it. We also dive into her passion for collaboration, her journey as a female architect, her popular podcast I've Never Met a Woman Architect Before, and her role in the upcoming Arizona Women Architects publication. Whether you're a design lover, architect, builder, or simply curious about how meaningful spaces come to life, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration.⏱️ Chapter Timings (Estimated)00:00 – Welcome to Modern Mastermind00:19 – Introducing architect Michele Hottel01:00 – Michele’s first memories of design & childhood influences03:00 – Growing up around museums, skylights & historic architecture04:30 – Early creativity: dollhouses, Legos & building blocks06:00 – Moving west & discovering Frank Lloyd Wright sites07:20 – Designing for geography: California vs. Arizona09:30 – Inward vs. outward-focused architecture11:00 – Living in Copenhagen & weather-driven design12:00 – Michele’s favorite project types & moving into design-build13:20 – Sunset Cliffs House: opening a home to a 180° ocean view16:00 – Innovating with glass before modern systems existed17:30 – Modernizing a hillside home and preserving mid-century elements19:00 – 911 9th Street House: challenging site + art-driven design22:00 – Designing around large art collections & custom niches23:30 – Paradise Valley hillside project overview25:00 – Michele’s client process: from first call to construction27:00 – Working with builders, budgets & design-build collaboration28:30 – Michele’s podcast: “I’ve Never Met a Woman Architect Before”30:00 – Arizona Women Architects publication31:00 – Rapid-fire: favorite architecture, inspirations & future dreams32:00 – Closing & where to find Michele online🔗 Connect with Michele Grace Hottel🌐 Website: https://mgharchitect.com📸 Instagram: @mgharchitect🎧 Listen to more episodes of beSpoke Modern Home Mastermind— where architecture, design, and lifestyle meet inspiration.📩 Follow beSpoke real estate🌐 https://bespokephx.com📸 Instagram: @bespoke.phx
What this episode covers
In this episode, we sit down with architect Michele Grace Hottel, AIA, founder of MGHarchitect, whose work spans California and Arizona—from oceanfront modern redesigns to hillside homes overlooking Camelback Mountain. Michele shares her earliest design inspirations, the evolution of her architectural practice, the challenges and rewards of site-specific projects, and how she tailors each home to the people who live in it. We also dive into her passion for collaboration, her journey as a female architect, her popular podcast I've Never Met a Woman Architect Before, and her role in the upcoming Arizona Women Architects publication. Whether you're a design lover, architect, builder, or simply curious about how meaningful spaces come to life, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration.⏱️ Chapter Timings (Estimated)00:00 – Welcome to Modern Mastermind00:19 – Introducing architect Michele Hottel01:00 – Michele’s first memories of design & childhood influences03:00 – Growing up around museums, skylights & historic architecture04:30 – Early creativity: dollhouses, Legos & building blocks06:00 – Moving west & discovering Frank Lloyd Wright sites07:20 – Designing for geography: California vs. Arizona09:30 – Inward vs. outward-focused architecture11:00 – Living in Copenhagen & weather-driven design12:00 – Michele’s favorite project types & moving into design-build13:20 – Sunset Cliffs House: opening a home to a 180° ocean view16:00 – Innovating with glass before modern systems existed17:30 – Modernizing a hillside home and preserving mid-century elements19:00 – 911 9th Street House: challenging site + art-driven design22:00 – Designing around large art collections & custom niches23:30 – Paradise Valley hillside project overview25:00 – Michele’s client process: from first call to construction27:00 – Working with builders, budgets & design-build collaboration28:30 – Michele’s podcast: “I’ve Never Met a Woman Architect Before”30:00 – Arizona Women Architects publication31:00 – Rapid-fire: favorite architecture, inspirations & future dreams32:00 – Closing & where to find Michele online🔗 Connect with Michele Grace Hottel🌐 Website: https://mgharchitect.com📸 Instagram: @mgharchitect🎧 Listen to more episodes of beSpoke Modern Home Mastermind— where architecture, design, and lifestyle meet inspiration.📩 Follow beSpoke real estate🌐 https://bespokephx.com📸 Instagram: @bespoke.phx
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Designing for Life: Architect Michele Grace Hottel’s Modern Vision
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