Caleb Anderson Speaks on the Future of Drake/Anderson

This succession plan has been in the works for the past decade. What was some of the work, research, and preparation you undertook to make for a smooth transition?

So much has changed since the succession plan was initiated. I’ve evolved, the design industry has evolved, and the world around us is rapidly transforming. Over the past few years, significant effort has gone into aligning our work with the direction I sense things are heading, while also reflecting who I’ve become as a designer and person. What was important a decade ago is shifting, and I’m embracing the firm’s necessary evolution.

The ownership transition has brought logistical changes, and I’ve adapted processes and introduced elements that better enable me to support our team and clients. I’ve also implemented an intentional distilling process to preserve excellence while creating an adaptive framework for continuous improvement. This evolution has set out to include a new creative process, enhanced client and design services, the integration of new technologies, the cultivation of a thriving work culture, expanded thought leadership, purpose-driven initiatives, and mindful marketing. Throughout the process, I’ve worked with a team of professionals—ranging from a healthy materials consultant and a business coach—to strategize and move into the future.

What sparked your interest in material health, circularity, and equity, and what motivated you to integrate these into the firm?

These initiatives stem from a personal journey focused on prioritizing my own well-being, coupled with a deep awareness and concern for the challenges our industry and the world face. I began reconciling these values with our work, seeking ways to evolve our practices to embody values that foster genuine effectiveness. I refer to this approach as designing with purpose. 

We spend 90% of our lives indoors, where air pollutants are two to five times more concentrated than outdoors. Creating healthy interiors is non-negotiable. A course at the Parsons Healthy Materials Lab inspired me to take action. Together with a consultant, I developed a strategy to adopt a Framework and Healthy Materials Library. Drake/Anderson is the first luxury residential firm to sign the Interior Pledge for Positive Impact and the AIA Material Pledge, bringing this framework to high-end interiors for the first time—and paving the way for other firms to follow. This endeavor is holistic, shaping every aspect of what we do. It’s the beginning of a long-term commitment, and I’m incubating additional ideas that will continue to evolve.

What challenges are interior designers facing on this front today, and how are you enhancing your work to address them?

Awareness of these issues has been prevalent among commercial designers for some time. There’s a significant opportunity in residential design, where these topics are less discussed and prioritized. The next creative opportunity in our industry lies in merging impactful design with purpose. While aesthetics and functionality remain essential, many clients today are primarily driven by timing and cost. It’s time to shift priorities and give equal importance to both human and planetary health. As designers, it’s our responsibility to initiate conversations with clients and integrate practices that support material health, circularity, and equity.

Many designers may feel overwhelmed by these demands. While they care about sustainability, it can seem too complex or out of reach given their broader responsibilities. Interior design has often been excluded from larger sustainability discussions, partly due to the lack of impact data on many materials and products. Progress begins with a single step. It may not be perfect, and it won’t happen overnight, but it requires collective effort. Though our firm’s immediate impact may seem small, we can create a ripple effect that leads to meaningful change.

To guide our efforts, we’ve adopted the Common Materials Framework, which focuses on Human Health, Climate & Ecosystem Health, Circular Economy, and Social Equity. These principles have become the cornerstone of our design process. Additionally, we’ve established a Healthy Materials Library, where each material is carefully sourced, researched, and rigorously vetted in three action categories—all while staying true to our firm’s aesthetic. My hope is we can inspire other designers to adopt these resources to create a more sustainable and purposeful design industry. Purposeful design is no longer a choice—it’s who we are.

How is /And Design going to be a collaborative endeavor?

/And holds symbolic significance on many levels. I distilled our current logo down to just /And to acknowledge our work’s collaborative nature and move away from personality-driven design. While I may set the vision, the collective effort of our team brings it to life. Our work is the product of countless hours spent by designers, contractors, artisans, fabricators, and many others. /And signifies we’re not abandoning our roots but evolving to meet the needs of the world. Our work can be sophisticated and sustainable, glamorous and grounded, modern and meaningful.

/And is an invitation to engage with the broader designer ecosystem. The progress of our industry depends on collaboration with manufacturers, makers, media, clients, and designers. Through our material vetting process, we’ve inspired Phillip Jeffries to develop innovative products such as healthier vinyl ground for their wall coverings. We also worked with partners, like our custom upholsterer, to incorporate more sustainable features. I hope we can collaborate with media to share compelling stories that inspire clients and consumers to think about design more mindfully. At its core, /And represents the collaboration between our firm and those who embark on this journey with us.

Galerie published your apartment in 2022. Did you use your own residence as a testing ground for these new design principles?

My apartment marked an exciting milestone in that chapter of my life. It was within those walls that I spent the long months of the pandemic, leaning into my personal journey—an experience that shaped the trajectory of my professional path. The same year the feature was published, I sold the apartment (and everything in it) to a prospective client. My partner and I walked out with nothing but our suitcases and a few boxes. I realized it no longer resonated with me.

I’ve embraced a simpler lifestyle and am taking my time to craft our next home. I once read that “everything that matters takes time,” and I’ll be applying that mindset as I approach our next space. I refer to my current living situation as my “workshop”—a living, breathing place of inspiration. It’s a sensory mood board where I connect with things that inspire me and help me understand the direction I’m heading in as I continue my life and design journey.

In that feature, you mentioned how “Jamie is always one to push boundaries. Working with him has given me confidence to push my own.” As you prepare for this transition, does this statement carry new meaning?

Part of the beauty of life lies in the people and circumstances that play distinct roles along the way. I’ve learned to discern the brightest aspects of these, applying them meaningfully for the growth of my soul. While I’ve been given all the necessary ingredients, it’s up to me to create a new masterpiece. For now, rather than pushing boundaries, I’m stepping into a new paradigm.

What’s the most important lesson about design that you learned from Jamie?

Jamie once described our work as creating a painting, with each brushstroke adding layers of color, texture, and gesture. It’s a beautiful way to think about what we do. I like to think that my contribution to this vision is the meaning and purpose behind each stroke—something that, beyond its visible beauty, can be truly felt.