Stewart Byrne
Vice President of Sales at Eco Outdoor Group
Stewart Byrne
FAME: What motivated you to join Eco Outdoor, and how has your role evolved as the company has expanded globally?
SB: Growing up in Australia, spending time on farms and in ‘the bush’ with its rugged and unforgiving landscape, I’ve always been drawn to the outdoors, building things with my hands and using natural materials. I wanted to join Eco Outdoor because it’s authentic, raw and down to earth. Soon after joining you quickly uncover the people are also incredible. What I find very special is whenever you travel to an Eco Outdoor showroom or market, you get inspired by the spaces and can feel the same positive energy and passion emanating from its people.
As the business has grown, my focus has shifted from local projects to shaping how our design philosophy translates across different markets. There is plenty going on at Eco Outdoor, it’s exciting, but we remain grounded in making sure we stay true to our roots, servicing our clients with unbelievable hospitality with honest materials, simple forms, and a real sense of place.
What keeps me inspired is seeing our work resonate with architects and designers around the world who share the belief that great design should feel effortless and enduring.
Eco Outdoor LA Showroom
FAME: How would you describe Eco Outdoor’s design philosophy, and the role natural materials play in shaping that vision?
SB: Our design philosophy is simple - it is inspired by our love of nature and everything that comes with nature - texture, imperfection, permanence, history, uniqueness. We’re inspired by the imperfections and character of natural materials. Nature doesn’t do uniformity, and that’s what makes it so beautiful. By celebrating texture, variation, and the story each material carries, we help designers craft spaces that feel lived-in, enduring, and connected to place.
For us, materials aren’t just a finish - they shape how people feel in a space. When you run your hand across a piece of travertine or limestone, there’s an emotional connection. That tactility, that grounding in nature, is at the heart of our design ethos.
“Our design philosophy is simple - it is inspired by our love of nature and everything that comes with nature...Nature doesn’t do uniformity, and that’s what makes it so beautiful. ”
Eco Outdoor LA Showroom
FAME: When working with clients and designers, how do you help connect their ideas with the possibilities of what your materials and products can do?
SB: We start with curiosity. Every project is different, and we see our role as collaborators and problem-solvers rather than just suppliers. We have a design-savvy team, passionate about materials, and fluent in the language of architects and designers.
Often, the conversation begins with a client’s vision or challenge, and we work backwards from there. We don’t say, “Here’s what we have, pick from it.” Instead, we explore what outcome they want to achieve and then ask, “How can we make this work with natural materials?” That’s how ideas like glazing basalt or experimenting with curved glass bricks came to life.
“It’s about unlocking possibilities - taking the essence of a material and using it in unexpected ways, always staying true to its natural form.”
FAME: As VP of Sales, what part of your job excites you the most—whether it’s client relationships, introducing new products, or enabling design visions to come alive?
Eco Outdoor LA Showroom
SB: What excites me most is that moment when a design vision starts to take shape, when we help turn an idea into something real, something people can actually experience and live with. For me, sales at Eco Outdoor has never been about transactions; it’s about deep relationships and storytelling. It’s about understanding what a designer or client is trying to achieve, being curious, and then finding the right materials to make that vision come alive in an authentic way.
I simply love collaborating with people who see design as more than aesthetics, those who think about how a space feels, how it connects to nature, how it endures over time. Introducing new products is a big part of that, too. It keeps us evolving, constantly exploring materials that inspire new possibilities.
At the end of the day, the most rewarding part is seeing those conversations turn into spaces that feel effortless and beautifully resolved. That’s when I know we’ve helped create something that genuinely enhances how people live.
FAME: Eco Outdoor now has a presence in multiple markets. How do you maintain a consistent brand identity while adapting to different contexts and clients?
Eco Outdoor LA Showroom
“Consistency comes from purpose. Wherever we are...our mission remains the same: to bring the wonder and soul of nature into architecture.”
SB: Consistency comes from purpose. Wherever we are, Los Angeles, Sydney, Auckland, or soon San Francisco, our mission remains the same: to bring the wonder and soul of nature into architecture through inspirational surfaces.
What changes is how that purpose comes to life locally. In Australia, for example, we’re deeply embedded in the luxury residential sector; in California, we’re working with architects who are pushing the boundaries of indoor-outdoor living. The contexts differ, but our DNA doesn’t: celebrating texture, imperfection, and the wonder of nature.
We maintain brand consistency through our showrooms, which act as immersive design hubs where architects and clients can experience materials at scale. These spaces are curated with the same philosophy worldwide, ensuring that whether you’re in Beverly Hills or Melbourne, the Eco Outdoor experience feels both inspiring and familiar.
FAME: Innovation is often part of growth in design-related industries. How do you see Eco Outdoor continuing to evolve in the years ahead?
SB: Innovation for us isn’t about chasing trends; it’s about reimagining what’s possible with nature’s materials. We’re constantly exploring new categories, for example bricks, and asking, “What do people need, and how can we create it in a way that’s both beautiful and enduring?”
Our company size now gives us the freedom to be more playful, to experiment, and to partner on multi-residential and commercial projects as well as luxury homes. Technology is also a big part of our future. We’re embracing AI and digital tools to enhance service, streamline design collaboration, and push creativity forward, while still staying rooted in craft.
And importantly, we’re looking at social impact. Initiatives like our social housing projects show that our offering is not just about luxury, it’s about rethinking how materials and design can serve communities in meaningful ways.
“Innovation for us isn’t about chasing trends; it’s about reimagining what’s possible with nature’s materials. ”
Eco Outdoor LA Showroom
FAME: From your perspective, what do architects and designers value most when working with a company like Eco Outdoor?
SB: They value a partner who speaks their language, who understands the detail, and who brings solutions rather than just products. Architects and designers are looking for materials that inspire them, yes, but equally, they need to know those materials will perform, be easy to specify, and contribute to the overall vision of the project.
We’re obsessive about making the process “easy as.” That means deep product knowledge, support through every stage of a project, and an attitude of unbelievable hospitality. We also bring inspiration from outside our own industry, from fashion to tech, which keeps us fresh and forward-looking. Designers tell us they value that we’re always evolving, never standing still.
FAME: For professionals specifying or designing with Eco Outdoor products, what advice would you offer to ensure the process is smooth and the results are both beautiful and durable?
SB: First, lean into the natural variation. Don’t fight it - celebrate it. That’s where the beauty and soul of these materials lie. No two pieces are identical, and when you embrace that, you create spaces that feel timeless and authentic.
Second, involve us early. Our team can advise on everything from installation details to maintenance, ensuring the material performs as beautifully as it looks. Because we work vertically with quarries and manufacturers, we understand materials deeply and can help anticipate challenges before they arise.
Finally, think holistically. The best outcomes happen when surfaces are considered not as stand-alone products but as integral elements of the architecture. That’s when “Crafted with Wonder” truly comes to life.
Eco Outdoor LA Showroom
“No two pieces are identical, and when you embrace that, you create spaces that feel timeless and authentic.”
© Joe Fletcher
FAME: Is there a particular project, client collaboration, or installation that stands out as memorable or that has influenced how you approach your work?
SB: The Desert Palisades project in Palm Springs really stands out for me, not just because of its visual impact, but because of how it captures the essence of what we do at Eco Outdoor. It’s a project that feels deeply rooted in place: the rawness of the desert landscape, the play of light and shadow, the dialogue between natural stone and modern form. The materials don’t compete with the landscape; they belong to it.
It’s influenced how I approach my work in a big way. It reaffirmed my belief that great design is about authenticity, about choosing materials that age gracefully, that respond to their environment, and that connect people to a sense of place. Projects like Desert Palisades remind me why we do what we do: to help create spaces that are honest, timeless, and deeply human.
FAME: Outside of work, what inspires you, and how does that influence the way you approach your role?
Stewart Byrnes
SB: Outside of work, sports and live theatre are my passions. Whether it’s watching Australian Rules Football or a musical/show I love the rhythm of it all, the strategy, and the way the teams move as one that I find endlessly inspiring. All the training, preparation and hard work that goes into making it flow on the big stage. It’s all built on trust, instinct, and shared purpose, qualities that translate directly into how I look to lead and collaborate in my role.
Playing footy taught me that success isn’t about one person standing out; it’s about everyone understanding their role, reading the play, and working together toward a common goal. That mindset shapes how I approach leadership, building a strong culture where people feel empowered, supported, and part of something bigger than themselves.