Learn Why This Arizona Studio Embraces "Energetic Design"

Ever heard of “energetic design”? Well, you’re about to, thanks to Edgar Duran and Katie Lynn Murphy, founders and principals of the Phoenix-based multidisciplinary creative studio Rodeo Collective. Duran and Murphy take a sensorial approach to their projects, leveraging their impressive and wide-ranging backgrounds in architecture and design, creative writing, feng shui and even shamanism to do so. The result may well be the next big thing in interior design.

What does it mean to be an energetic design studio?

We view space as a living thing, and Katie is certified in traditional feng shui, which is a practice of reading and balancing the energetics within a space. Once we know the energy we are working with, we balance it through the application of design elements so that the space feels cohesive. We also incorporate aroma and sound through curated playlists, so the space becomes an experience for those who enter.

How are you accomplishing your desire to positively influence the local culture?

We view space and experience differently. As a result, we create things that are energetically balanced and aesthetically distinct. It is through challenging the status quo of design that we evolve and innovate. This elevates the design and culture of the city.

Up-and-coming trend to incorporate now?

We don’t follow trends. We make choices based on what we think is right for the space. There is a tendency within the area to lean toward a neutral palette. We embrace color. When you hire a designer, it is to help create a space that is unique and different from everyone else—not something that looks the same. To do this, you must design for the client and the space and not with the current trends. That being said, we like to use color as a neutral, so maybe that is our trend.