About
At Traction Architecture, we believe design drives how we carry out our daily lives. Our projects start with the most basic, physical elements of architecture: material, structure, space. We take what we can see, touch, and experience, and weave it together with site and program to make an architecture that invites people to interact with it, as well as with each other.
At every stage of design, we explore each project through drawing, where disparate elements — underlying narratives, site conditions, found connections — come together to shape the architecture. We understand our buildings not as end-points in and of themselves, but rather as part of the ongoing processes of design and of living. Each building evolves not only through the design process, but also long after it’s finished, shaping and shaped by, the experience of the everyday.
Jody Beck
AIA, LEED AP, CBC
Jody Beck founded Traction Architecture in 2010. While heading the architecture practice, she has served as an adjunct Professor at the University of South Florida, teaching courses on the history, theory, and culture of architecture.
Jody holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies from Brown University and a Master of Architecture from SCI-Arc, the Southern California Institute of Architecture, as well as a contractor license in the state of Florida. Prior to returning to Tampa to start her own practice, Jody worked in architecture offices in New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Having grown up in Tampa, she has a unique understanding of the evolution of the region’s built environment. She is currently serving as Chair of the City of Tampa’s Architectural Review Commission, and was recently recognized by AIA Florida as a member of the 2018 class of Citizen Architects for her civic engagement and positive impact to the community.
Ross-Alan Tisdale
AIA, LEED AP, NCARB
Ross-Alan Tisdale joined Traction Architecture in 2012. Prior to that he worked at HOK’s Tampa office, where he specialized on projects centered on healthcare, science and technology.
After completing basic training as a cadet at the United States Air Force Academy, Ross transferred to Yale University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture. He then joined the Albuquerque office of award-winning architect Antoine Predock, FAIA, whose bold work has remained a touchstone. He spent several years in Boston at an architecture and engineering firm specializing in commercial and retail projects and studied at SCI-Arc, the Southern California Institute of Architecture, where he earned a Master of Architecture.
Ross has had a lifelong passion for space architecture and has designed human habitation for the moon at the NASA Ames Research Center. In 2017, the Tampa Bay Chapter of the AIA presented him with the Eduardo Garcia award, the highest honor given to licensed architects 40 years of age or younger.
Press
“Built on Stilts”
The Wall Street Journal
Seagrape House
October 2013
“Angular Modern Beach House in Florida”
Dwell
Seagrape House
December 2013
“Shifting Sands”
Custom Home Magazine
Seagrape House
Winter 2015
“Seagrape”
Lux Life Magazine
Seagrape House
Fall 2015
“A Modern Anna Maria Island Beach House”
Sarasota Magazine
Seagrape House
December 2013
“Home of the Year”
SRQ Magazine
Seagrape House
March 2015
“Sparxoo”
Florida Caribbean Architect Magazine
Sparxoo
Summer 2017
“Florida Shack”
Coastal Living Magazine
Surof House
January 2018
“A Hollywood Casting Director...”
Sarasota Magazine
Surof House
May 2018
“Surprise - It's Modern”
Sarasota Magazine
Bougainvillea House
Winter 2013
“Siesta Stunner”
SRQ Magazine
Siesta House
February 2020
“Opening Lines”
Luxe Magazine
Siesta House
September/October 2019
“This Historic Home in Florida..."
Clever
Dundee House
June 2020
“A Jazz-Age Classic in Florida..."
Dwell
Dundee House
July 2020
Honor Award of Excellence
AIA Florida Caribbean Chapter
Dundee House
2020
Object Award
AIA Florida Caribbean Chapter
Traveling Obscura
2019
Merit Award of Excellence
AIA Florida Caribbean Chapter
Seagrape House
2018
Planning & Design Award of Merit
Hillsborough Planning Commission
Sky Striker
2016
Design Merit Award for Architecture
AIA Tampa Bay Chapter
Sky Striker
2015
Design Award for Architecture
AIA Gulf Coast Chapter
Seagrape House
2014
Design Honor Award for Architecture
AIA Tampa Bay Chapter
Seagrape House
2013
Contact
Traction Architecture
813 992-2798
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