Scott Beans, PE, NCARB
principal
Master of Architecture – Montana State University
Master of Civil Engineering (Structural) – Montana State University
Bachelor of Environmental Design – Montana State University
At the core of my work is listening. I like figuring out how people actually want to use their spaces—how they move and operate throughout their day, where they gather, where they need quiet, and where things should open up—and shaping architecture around that reality. I’ve worked on projects ranging from single-family homes tucked into mountain landscapes to large-scale stadiums and public venues, and I enjoy the full spectrum of scale just as much as the details in between. The environment is always part of the conversation, too, whether it’s framing a view, responding to climate, or simply respecting what’s already there.
I’m also just a little bit of a nerd when it comes to how buildings go together. The art and the engineering aren’t separate lanes for me – they’re constantly overlapping. A detail has to work mathematically and be buildable, but it also has to feel right. I enjoy the balance between creative exploration and constructability, especially when working alongside other designers, consultants, and builders who each bring their own perspective to the table. Architecture and engineering are very much team sports.
I have a few framed pieces of paper on my wall; one for a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Design, one for a Master of Architecture, and one for a Master of Civil Engineering. Thank you, Montana State University! I am a Registered Architect and a Professional Engineer in Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, and Missouri.
Outside the office, I stay busy in the same spirit of making, exploring, and pondering — brainstorming new ideas, working on my own spaces with a toolbelt on, or spending time outdoors (my favorite part of being a human). Being in nature is a constant reminder of scale, material, and a balance of simplicity and complexity. Also, it has a way of resetting how I think about design, and serves as an escape from the rays of a computer monitor. And, ultimately, who doesn’t love being outdoors!? Important to note: beyond being colleagues and former classmates, Rudi (also a Bobcat) and I are close friends, dating back to the soccer pitch, ski slopes, and halfpipe days of the early 2000s.
