For more than 50 years, FBT Architects has shaped the Southwest’s built environment with design that inspires, connects and endures. Recognized as one of New Mexico’s most respected architecture and design firms—with thriving studios in Dallas and Colorado Springs—we bring vision, craft and collaboration to every project. Today, we’re entering an exciting new era of growth, leadership and creative exploration.

Over the past year, our momentum has been fueled by opportunity and bold ideas. We’ve moved into inspiring new spaces designed for connection and creativity—our corporate headquarters now on the 15th floor of 500 Marquette in downtown Albuquerque, and our Colorado and Texas teams in dynamic studios built for growth. This chapter also marks the arrival of new leadership in interior design and architecture, setting the stage for expanded reach and elevated design impact across all our markets.

The Journey Shapes the Vision

FBT is proud to welcome John Nelson, Principal and Director of Hospitality & Interior Design, and Lindsey Seboldt, Senior Interior Designer / Studio ID Lead. Their expertise, creativity and leadership will elevate our work and expand our reach. Together, they bring more than 50 years of combined experience designing luxury hospitality and commercial projects across the U.S. and abroad.

Both were thriving in their careers when their entrepreneurial spirit and appetite for new challenges led them to FBT. For John, the move also felt like a homecoming. “I’ve worked with FBT for 30 years as a consultant, and I became friends with the firm as well as collaborators,” he says. As a former partner at Looney & Associates for 23 years, he brings deep leadership experience and a passion for cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Lindsey was drawn to the opportunity to work across practice areas while mentoring the next generation of designers. “When I moved to Dallas, I didn’t know anyone. I was lucky to have a great mentor who made it safe to ask questions and learn. That’s the kind of leader I want to be,” she says. With 15 years in the industry, Lindsey understands how to translate a brand’s story into immersive and meaningful spaces.

Hospitality Design & the Art of Storytelling

For John and Lindsey, hospitality design is more than beautiful spaces. It’s about telling a story that connects people to place.

A registered architect, John sees interior architecture as the “middle ground” between material selections and technical detailing. His love of hospitality and food & beverage design is rooted in solving client problems through smart, beautiful, contextual solutions. “What I find interesting is the growth of branding and narrative. You have to understand the context—the city it’s in, the history of the people that made this place,” he says. “That narrative and that research, if it’s done well, makes your design process so much easier.”

Lindsey agrees, describing her work as weaving together cultural influences, craftsmanship and detail. “It’s about taking the different pieces, whether it’s a floor finish or a fabric or a piece of art, and making it part of that design narrative,” she says. “Bringing in those different cultures, traditions and the spirit of a place can completely change a space, down to the little details.”

Both believe the hospitality principles of warmth and connection should extend to all environments—whether it’s a calming healthcare space, an inviting restaurant or a vibrant multifamily community. And while balancing form and function is important, the emotional resonance matters just as much. As John puts it, “Good interior design makes people comfortable. It makes places approachable, functional and operational.”

Vision for the Dallas Studio

While John and Lindsey will work across all offices and practice areas, they are based in Dallas and have bold plans for the growing Texas team. John sees the Dallas office evolving into a full-service design studio—a creative hub with a diversified portfolio of hospitality, multifamily, senior living, food & beverage, and mixed-use projects. He also envisions deeper collaboration across offices, leveraging firm-wide creative talents to help one another succeed. “I’d love to see the architectural team grow and the interiors team grow, but get support from other offices and vice versa,” he explains.

Lindsey adds that she sees the Dallas studio becoming known for lifestyle-driven projects and larger, more impactful work. “I see our Dallas studio growing creatively and getting bigger projects, and I’m excited to grow with them.”

A Lasting Impact

John and Lindsey share a vision for an FBT that’s broader in scope and richer in experience. They see interiors not as an isolated service but as a connector across disciplines — infusing hospitality’s warmth and layered detail into every project type. John envisions “more diversity in our project types,” moving toward a balanced mix that includes hospitality, senior living, multifamily, food & beverage, spas and mixed-use developments while bringing fresh ideas and competitive edge to our other practices. “Even if the budget doesn’t allow for expensive materials, just putting a set of eyes on it, an experience overlay, or changing a floor finish totally changes it,” he notes.

For Lindsey, it’s also about mentorship and collaboration. “How do we bring hospitality into all practice areas and create warmer, more inviting experiences?” she asks.

Together, they’re charting a future where FBT is broader in reach and richer in experience. It’s not just about chasing new markets—it’s about creating spaces that tell a story and connect with people on a deeply human level.

FBT’s commitment to growth, collaboration, and excellence in design has never been stronger. With John and Lindsey’s leadership, our Dallas studio is poised to chart new creative territory and make a lasting impact across all our markets.

Want to collaborate? Get in touch!