Claudia's Corner
Designing with Heart: How Brad Holley Creates Spaces That Spark Joy, Connection, and Community
What if design wasn’t just about how something looks—but how it makes people feel?
That question sits at the heart of What’s Your Shine? The Happy Podcast episode featuring Brad Holley, a visionary outdoor designer, creative force behind Undesign, and winner of the Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge.
In a world that often prioritizes aesthetics or functionality alone, Brad is doing something different. He’s designing spaces with the specific goal of bringing people together, creating outdoor environments that foster storytelling, memory-making, and connection. His work is a blend of architecture, emotion, and invitation—calling people to step outside, gather, and enjoy life together.
In this episode, Brad opens up about his winding path into design, the magic of mentorship, and how one community treasure hunt became a pandemic-era bright spot. Through his thoughtful reflections, we’re reminded that when we create with people in mind, we shine a little brighter—and help others do the same.
From Construction to Connection
Brad didn’t set out to become a designer. In fact, his early career was in commercial construction—an environment that, while structured and predictable, left little room for creativity.
But a quiet passion for design had always been simmering beneath the surface. As a kid, Brad loved to doodle and imagine spaces. As a young adult, he started playing with 3D modeling software as a hobby. What began as curiosity slowly turned into craft.
Then came a pivotal moment: a chance to apprentice under one of the country’s top outdoor living designers. It was here that Brad’s approach to design began to shift—from building things that work, to building things that matter.
“I learned how to think about how people would feel in a space,” Brad shares. “It wasn’t just about where the furniture went. It was about the experience.”
Designing for the Human Experience
Brad’s work today is about more than pools and patios. It’s about creating environments where people gather, where conversations deepen, where celebrations unfold.
“I design for connection,” he explains. “For the dinner party. For the Sunday morning coffee. For the dad who wants to toss the football while grilling burgers.”
His process is deeply intentional. He asks clients about their routines, their dreams, their relationships. He listens for the subtle cues—what makes them light up, what they long to create more of in their daily lives. Then, he builds that into the design.
The result? Outdoor spaces that feel less like backyards and more like extensions of the soul.
The Power of Mentorship
Brad is the first to admit that he didn’t figure all of this out on his own. One of the most impactful parts of his journey was learning through apprenticeship—working under a master and absorbing not just technical skill, but mindset.
“It wasn’t just about learning to draw plans,” he says. “It was about learning to think like a designer.”
That mentor encouraged Brad to explore not just how something would be built, but why. It changed everything.
Now, Brad sees mentorship as a core part of his work. He wants to pass that curiosity and care onto others—whether they’re fellow designers, clients, or the next generation.
“I try to create space for people to discover what lights them up,” he says. “Just like someone once did for me.”
Designing Joy in a Time of Isolation
In one of the most heartwarming parts of the episode, Brad shares the story of Dallas Side Quest, a community treasure hunt he created during the height of the pandemic.
It started with a simple desire: to lift spirits in his neighborhood. People were isolated, discouraged, and unsure of how to stay connected.
So Brad got creative.
He designed a city-wide scavenger hunt, complete with clever clues, playful storytelling, and hidden treasures. Participants received beautifully printed maps and were challenged to explore, solve, and share the experience with others—socially distanced, of course.
It was a hit. Families participated. Strangers became teammates. Smiles returned.
“Design doesn’t always have to be physical,” Brad reflects. “Sometimes it’s about designing an experience that brings people joy.”
This project reminded him that design is a tool not just for beauty—but for healing, connection, and community building.
Winning the Million Dollar Pool Challenge
Brad’s approach to design was nationally recognized when he won the Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge, a prestigious competition judged by the best in the industry.
His winning concept wasn’t just beautiful—it was layered with intentionality. Every corner of the space was designed with story and experience in mind. It captured the judges’ imaginations and affirmed Brad’s belief that form should always follow feeling.
“The real win for me was seeing that design with heart resonates,” he shares. “That thinking differently can open doors.”
Creating Your Own Space to Shine
As the episode wraps, Brad encourages listeners to think about their own environments—indoors or outdoors—and ask: Does this space support the kind of life I want to live?
It doesn’t have to be a million-dollar project. Sometimes it’s as simple as rearranging furniture, stringing up lights, or creating a cozy nook for conversation. The goal is to be intentional—to design a life that nurtures joy, connection, and meaning.
“Design is just another form of storytelling,” Brad says. “It’s a way to say: this is who I am, and this is what I care about.”
Why It Matters
At House of Shine, we believe every person has a unique light to share. Brad Holley’s story is a reminder that when we approach our work with thoughtfulness and heart, that light becomes contagious.
Whether you’re sketching plans, hosting a dinner, or planting a garden, your choices shape the environment around you—and that environment shapes how people feel.
So go ahead. Rearrange the chairs. Build the fire pit. Start the side quest.
Design a space that invites others to shine.
🎧 Listen to Brad Holley’s full episode of What’s Your Shine? The Happy Podcast
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