In September 2025, architect C.P. Drewett spoke candidly with Luxe Interiors + Design about his architectural point of view and process. Read on for a deeper look inside his creative approach.
When the term visionary comes to mind, it often refers to one who is forward-thinking or has breakthrough ideas. For C.P. Drewett, president and founding architect of Drewett Works, being a visionary comes in the form of a problem solver; someone who can identify the essence of a problem and devise a solution for others, particularly his clients.
“At the heart of our work is stewardship,” he says. “Even though our work is creative, we’re still in the service industry. Providing sound leadership and a vision for our clients is a cornerstone of what we do and a guiding principle. My clients trust me and my commitment to their lives, their site and their architecture. That stewardship begins in the initial conversations about wants and needs, continues through the design process, and trickles down into every detail of the project and final construction plans.”
This clarity of purpose informs Drewett’s method when it comes to architecture: look to what’s happening now, what lies ahead, keep away from distractions and keep your eye on the goal: “I try to look past as many peripheral influences as possible to find the heart of an issue and build solutions around that,” he explains. “If you can forecast what’s on the horizon, you can get ahead of the problem-solving path, and that’s what creates a true visionary.”
Early on, Drewett embraced this approach with one of his firm’s first significant projects: a modern estate designed on the site of a Tuscan home lost to fire in Paradise Valley. Rather than replicate the past, Drewett saw an opportunity to visually educate and inspire with a fresh perspective. “I wanted people to see something that was modern and new, but also warm and elegant,” he says. His instincts proved right—the home became a sensation, earning the title of Showcase Home of 2004 by AZ Foothills Magazine and drawing thousands of visitors.
In good times and bad, Drewett points to perseverance and faith for keeping him going but adaptability as the secret to his success. “One of the things that has shaped my journey is being open to reinventing the way I do things along the way,” he says. “If you’re not willing to change, the world will pass you by. Over the past 25 years, I’ve reinvented how we deliver architecture four different times. Each time, I’ve learned that the people around me have grown and we’ve attracted new clients and team members. That adaptability has given me a unique place to push the boundaries.”
When it comes to inspiration, Drewett admits it comes from unexpected places. “I’m a student in the poverty of design, which embodies the bare essence of things,” he says. He also looks to fashion and automotive design, admiring how shapes, forms and connections evolve from concept to finished product. And nature remains a muse, with its endlessly inventive patterns and forms.
