Today we’d like to introduce you to Samuel Oztan.
Hi Samuel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up in New Jersey, my interest in architecture began at an early age. With New York just a short train ride away, the feeling I had walking among these giant structures is something I certainly attribute to my fascination with design and construction. This passion guided my decision to pursue a Bachelor of Architecture at Penn State University. Throughout my education, I felt sure of my future in the design world, coming out eager to jump into the lifestyle of a young architect. After graduation, I moved to Maryland to work in the DMV area (DC, Maryland, Virginia). While not every moment in a career is glamorous (not every moment ever is), I did gain invaluable experience across various sectors, including commercial, healthcare, and custom residential home design. It was in the realm of residential design that I discovered my passion. This led me to undertake side projects focusing on additions and renovations while working my day job. This allowed me to directly engage with clients and bring their visions to life. Over about 4 years of dedicated work and
growing my clientele through these side projects, I was able to fulfill my dream of fully starting my own firm. Spring of 2023, I officially opened the doors to Oztan Studio. Our projects span from custom homes and renovations to small commercial projects like restaurants and offices. Founding my design firm has offered me a freedom that working for others couldn’t typically provide. The most rewarding part of the job is working closely with clients to enhance and realize their ideas. I encourage all designers, whether just starting out or seasoned professionals, to pursue their visions and dreams. The market is ripe with opportunities for projects of all
sizes, and there’s so much potential for those ready to take the leap. No matter where you are in your career, look for every opportunity to absorb the knowledge and experience of those around you. I started listening more and was able to apply that found knowledge to my own practice. I thank everyone I have ever worked with for helping me realize my own vision and, of course, taking the leap myself.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road on the way to your goals is never paved in gold. Though I can truly say I had fun during all of it, there were more than a few sleepless nights worrying about getting clients projects completed on time, unforeseen issues coming up, and just trying to juggle everything (my person life included). Anyone who works a job and is pushing for their “side hustle” to become their “main hustle” knows that feeling. Sometimes you make great strides, and sometimes you don’t. But the main point I learned is to just keep pushing, and to get smart about how hard you push and when. Working smarter not harder really isn’t just a “catch all” statement. Once I started educating myself better on managing practices I went so much further than I could have imagined and that’s really what led me to being able to fully open the doors to Oztan Studio and all those years of hard work.
As you know, we’re big fans of Oztan Studio. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Oztan Studio is an architecture and design firm founded on the core goal of aiming to elevate our clients’ lifestyles through inspiring design. We believe that design should not be a one sided or, one-size fits all approach. Every unique individual has a certain way they live and breath in a space and I think that, with careful consideration and details, you can bring that space to life to work with that certain individuals lifestyles and habits. Or in the case of a space occupied by a few or perhaps many people, work with all of those inhabitants symbiotically. Designing a space should not be done solely because it needs to be done, it is a chance to create a much more elevated experience to all who get to interact with it.
The firm specializes in custom homes, renovations, and additions for both residential and commercial clients. We offer services including architectural design, interior design, permitting, and construction administration. We like to partner both with home and business owners, along with builders. Many builders do not have internal design teams and we serve as a bridge between them and their clients to enhance their design and construction, along with getting the permitting done through the, often times rigorous, county review process.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Throughout the journey I have certainly had mentors, supporters, and advocates that have pushed and elevated me along the way. I would certainly like to give a shout out to all of the professors at Penn State University for teaching me the core principals in design and pushing us all to think more creatively, even if sometimes we would curse their names, :). Outside of school, I was lucky enough to find a general contractor turned friend. He was able to get me into the side of construction and understanding how structures are truly built, not just on paper, but in reality. Through that connection it opened up a world to me that made me fall in love with building and design even more so. Designing on paper is one thing but to understand how things come together in person gives you a deeper appreciation for how good design can be done on paper to enhance a builders experience instead of hinder it (shout out to all the disgruntled contractors building off unfinished plans, lol).
I was then offered the opportunity to become a board member on a foundation called “CTF – Construction Trades Foundation” where we offer our time and support to high school students who are going into the trades, along with architecture. There I met many other business owners in the construction industry who opened many other doors to me in terms of networking and also fantastic resources. I cannot thank the CTF enough. The students who are lucky enough to also be involved with the CTF have the opportunity to design and build their own home, which is then sold off on the open market to fund the next student built house design-build project.
Pricing:
- Every project is unique and priced according to its scope but I can offer some general ranges
- Small projects (decks, retaining walls, screened porches, outdoor environments) Between $2,000-$6,000
- Medium Projects (interior renovations, home additions, conceptual home designs) = $5,000 – $10,000
- Large Projects (custom home designs, large renovations/additions, commercial projects) = $10,000+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://oztanstudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oztanstudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oztanstudio
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oztan-studio/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/oztan-studio-north-bethesda
