Architecture is more than just buildings—it’s about creating spaces that inspire, connect, and serve communities. That’s something Wes Thiele understands well. Originally from Atlanta, Wes moved to Lafayette in 2009, drawn by the steady opportunities in construction.
Wes Thiele, Partner and Design Director at architecture and design company, Diverse Studio
Career prospects took Wes to Dallas, but Lafayette left an impression on him. When he got the chance to move back to Lafayette, he pounced on it. Today, Wes is a partner at Diverse Studio, a firm he co-founded in 2023 with a vision to make spaces that have real impact. It has offices in Dallas and Lafayette and six full-time employees.
The firm specializes in commercial projects — schools, churches, civic centers and more. With every project, they try to create inspirational places.
Wes is also a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design accredited professional, meaning he specializes in green building practices.
From designing spaces to preserving them—our next guest takes a different approach to shaping landscapes. Allen McClain is a lifelong farmer, managing thousands of acres of rice and crawfish. He studied agriculture at McNeese and is on the board of directors for the Louisiana Farm Bureau.
Allen McClain, farmer, agri-tourism and eco-tourism host at L’Terre
Allen is also the founder of L’Terre, a unique retreat that invites guests to experience Louisiana’s natural beauty firsthand. In a nutshell, it’s a cross between agritourism and ecotourism. You can go birdwatching, catch your own crawfish, gator hunts, guided hikes and more. Allen’s farm is all about reconnecting people with the land — and there’s a lot of it: Six thousand acres.
L’Terre attracts guests from across the globe. And they come for all kinds of reasons. The farm has hosted corporate retreats and films. Locals even pop by to take in the farm’s beauty.
Whether you’re designing and constructing buildings, or enjoying the parts of Louisiana where there are no buildings in sight, it’s all about balance. Even the most ardent environmental ecologist has to go home to a building at night. And we wouldn’t be a citizen of Acadiana if we didn’t love and appreciate the peace and beauty of the natural world.
Johanna Divine sits in for Christiaan Mader on this edition of Out to Lunch Acadiana
Johanna Divine sits in for Christiaan Mader on this edition of Out to Lunch Acadiana, recorded live over lunch at Tsunami Sushi in downtown Lafayette. Photos by Astor Morgan.
Allen McClain, Wes Thiele, Johanna Divine, Out to Lunch at Tsunami Sushi
