Adore March 2022

Ian & Terri Dreyer NANO ARCHITECTURE | INTERIORS nanollc.net

I an and Terri Dreyer have the Tulane School of Architecture to thank for their marriage and business. They formulated the seeds of NANO in their last year of graduate school and have been transforming the city ever since with major projects and recognition, while also bringing attention to climate change in New Orleans. Last year, the pair was invited to exhibit and won the ECC Time Space Existence Venice Biennale Architecture award in Venice, Italy. They look forward to expanding their company on a national and international level and are committed to making New Orleans the change agent and growth city for the world to model in the 21st century.

How did you meet? Ian: We were seated in orientation and Terri was, as usual, a few minutes late. I noticed her immediately, and apparently during our introductions, I made an impression as well. Terri: I told my two best friends the day I met Ian, "I met the man I am going to marry, mark my words." I cut a deal with him in the bookstore —I would get the plaster for our models, and he had to carry my stuff back to the studio and set it up. Ian: I set her things at the table immediately behind mine so that we were close. We spent 18 hours a day, sometimes more, every day, seated right next to each other, or at least back-to- back. We've had each other's back ever since. What are the keys to a successful business partnership? Terri: Respect for each other, understanding of weakness and strengths, and core common ethics whether work or personal. What have you learned working with your spouse? Ian: We like to say that our strongest attribute to any client is we argue for your best project. We approach and end every project from different places and solutions. Regardless of the final results, it is a merging of the best ideas to the betterment of the project and to the benefit of the client.

Why New Orleans? Ian: I'm a transplant (originally from New Hampshire) and Terri was born here. When I got here, it was a city with a small town feel and charm and culture. Terri: New Orleans breathes differently. It tells its own stories, and it is the background, the middle ground, and the foreground of life here. The sense of place is nothing like anywhere else and I have lived in many places all over the world. New Orleans is the accidental city where our livelihood and day-to-day living is a constant happenstance. What is your favorite thing about each other? Ian: Terri is the quintessential "mama bear." As a spouse, she's my best friend, companion, champion, and confidant. At the same time, she's the most talented professional in the field that I know. Terri: Ian is an incredible process designer/architect. He loves to solve problems, designs differently, and questions everything down to the type of concrete or the joint of millwork, which helps our design delivery. There is no one else I want in my life, on my projects, or by my side than Ian Dreyer. He is a force for all that is needed in our world right now. Favorite quote : "We have all day to piss each other off, can I just get a cup of coffee first?" -Ian Dreyer

ADORE • MARCH 2022

39