Meet Austin Bewley | Architectural Designer | Founder of Sycamore Grove and Dovetail Design Studio

We had the good fortune of connecting with Austin Bewley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Austin, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Sycamore Grove is actually our second business venture. My primary business, Dovetail Design Studio, is an architectural design firm in Fort Worth that focuses on historically inspired buildings, using traditional construction techniques in a playful and novel way.  My background is a fusion of modern Bauhaus ideals taught through architecture school, mixed with the rich traditions of wooden boat building and yacht interiors, and classical architecture.  Even before I discovered that the historic structure known as Sycamore Grove Filling Station was for sale, I knew that I wanted to restore it when I learned about its history and significance to Glen Rose. This structure is filled with stories and folklore of a bygone era, and it deserves to be restored. Thankfully my wife trusted me enough to jump in feet first with me! 

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My background in architecture, woodworking, and historic preservation have led us to this project. I am excited to see the plans come together as we discuss ideas and dreams for the property. Apart from us simply wanting to save and restore a beautiful 1920’s gas station, our driving force has been to create a community gathering space that celebrates the vibrant past of Glen Rose, plugging guests into the forgotten stories of the property. From the outlaws that ran moonshine out of the back of the building during Prohibition, to the healing waters of the artesian well on the property, we are reimagining its past through the lens of a new era. This is as much a passion project as it is a business venture.

As a designer, I attribute a lot of my success to having unique, expressive design ideas and not overlooking the details.

Starting a business is never easy, but if you have confidence in your abilities and always seek to improve, you can conquer any challenges as they come. It starts as a leap of faith, but I have learned over time that when you dive into a project headfirst and have wholehearted conviction in your mission, doors begin to open, and the path forward begins to widen.

At the end of the day, I want my work to speak for itself. A great design can tell its own story. People may experience the space differently, but the overarching ethos should shine through.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
In Glen Rose, where Sycamore Grove is located, I would of course recommend that everyone should see this historic structure. Following that, a few favorites are Big Rocks Park (for some play time in the Paluxy River), and Dinosaur Valley State Park for hiking. We would end the day at Shoo Fly Soda Shop for some old-school milkshakes! That’s our kids’ favorite.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My wife, Alex, has been my biggest supporter for over half of my life. She is actually the one who suggested that I pursue a career in architecture when we were in high school. Prior to that, I was considering engineering. She is also very intellectual and a great influence on me in that way. We make a great team.

I also was very fortunate to work for Brent Hull for about 8 years of my career. As a master builder and expert in historic preservation, he has been a great mentor over the years.

Website: https://www.sycamoregrovetx.com

Instagram: @sycamoregrove.glenrose

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sycamoregrovetx

Youtube: @TheSycamoreGrove

Other: www.dovetailds.com
IG: @dovetail_designstudio