Our Story:

Traction is an award-winning architecture practice based in Tampa, Florida led by partners, Jody Beck and Ross-Alan Tisdale. After completing their undergraduate degrees at Brown and Yale, they met in Los Angeles while pursuing their Master of Architecture degrees at SCI-Arc, the Southern California Institute of Architecture. Before founding Traction, Jody and Ross had a wide variety of experience in the field. Jody taught Architectural History and Theory, Ross helped design lunar habitats for NASA, and both worked at architecture firms across the country. They moved back to Tampa, Jody’s hometown, where they eventually merged work and life – establishing their practice and raising two kids. Since then, Traction has grown to include a team of creative professionals who collaborate with Jody and Ross on projects ranging from custom homes, to office and cultural buildings, to public art. In addition to being licensed architects, Jody is also a certified building contractor and has recently expanded Traction to include design/build services. Traction was recently recognized with the 2021 Firm Award from the American Institute of Architects Tampa Bay Chapter.

Our Approach:

At Traction, we believe design drives how we carry out our daily lives. Our projects evolve from a weaving together of material, structure and context to create architecture that invites people to interact with it, as well as with each other. We approach each project, large and small, as an opportunity to create thoughtful spaces and bespoke experiences that are carefully tailored to the unique qualities of the site and the needs of the client. At every stage of design, we explore our projects through vibrant drawings, where disparate elements — underlying narratives, site conditions, found connections — come together to shape the architecture. We develop our buildings with a holistic approach, moving between overarching concepts such as scale, form and flow, to the smallest details such as material transitions, tile patterns and door levers. Energy efficient and sustainable design is an intrinsic part of our process, driving decisions such as site design, building orientation and product selections. We incorporate a range of tools to develop design ideas and to communicate those ideas to our clients – from handmade models and pencil sketches to 3D prints and digital walk-throughs. We find joy in the craft of architecture and endeavor to create spaces that inspire connections to our surroundings and enliven the experience of the everyday.

Our Services:

Traction is a full-service Architectural and Interior Design practice specializing in creative problem solving for design-focused projects at a variety of scales. We have designed office spaces, custom homes, residential renovations and additions, cultural and institutional buildings, campus plans, and public art installations. As architects working in coastal Florida, we are particularly attuned to climate issues and have developed expertise designing resilient structures, understanding complex flood zone requirements, and working with municipalities to obtain necessary permits. We have experience appearing before local building departments, variance review boards, and historic preservation boards. Above all, we pride ourselves on our collaborative relationships with clients and our ability to translate their vision into compelling architectural solutions. We guide our clients through the design process from the first stages of conceptual design through completion of construction and believe that communication – whether through drawings, models, renderings or words – is the key to a successful project.