Originate is a natural building materials showroom that specializes in interior finishes that are environmentally friendly, non-toxic, durable, and made from natural, renewable, and recycled resources. We offer innovative and unique materials that rival the aesthetics and performance of more traditional interior finishes. Products include: countertops, tile, flooring, building materials, paints & plaster, stains & sealers, adhesives & caulks, fireplaces, and salvaged building materials.

Originate functions as a community resource. We enjoy sharing knowledge about natural building materials and helping you to make environmentally aware choices during the design and build process.

Over the years, we have collaborated with many individuals and have built lasting relationships based on those connections. The individuals featured here are part of our network.

Natasha Winnik

Trained as an architect with a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Miami and a MArch from the University of Arizona.

Worked in natural building materials, particularly with strawbale construction since 1997. Continued working in natural building materials through hands on classes ranging from earthen plasters, natural paints, earthen floors, and Japanese plasters.

Since 2000, been involved in natural building materials, particularly environmentally friendly interior finishes.

Managed the construction operations of Franklin Court, the first small scale totally green development within the City of Tucson which won the 2006 Building from the Best of Tucson ‘Urban Infill Development Small Scale’ Award.

Started Originate in October 2003, a natural building materials showroom, in downtown Tucson, as a local and regional resource to foster conservation and sustainability in construction.

Published in Natural Home Magazine.

Natasha has served on the board of WAMO, the Dunbar/Spring Neighborhood Association, HFAC, and sat on the Downtown Links CAC committee for 3 years, as well as being involved in many community planning processes.

Kate Maassen

Kate moved to Tucson in the summer of 2019 from St. Louis, MO where she was born and raised. She received her degree in Printmaking from Webster University. She also has a background in event planning and design. Kate started at Originate in September 2019, she is extremely passionate about sustainable living and has really enjoyed learning all she can about environmentally friendly building materials. In her spare time you will probably find Kate out on a hike, in her garden, practicing floral arrangements, or behind her sewing machine. She is quite the hobbyist!

Hannah Providence

Hannah has a degree in Illustration and Design from The University of Arizona. She has a background in Interior Design and Fine Arts. Born and raised in Tucson, Hannah is passionate about the community and enjoys fostering connections in and around the city. Hannah began working at Originate in January of 2023. She has a love for salvaged and repurposed materials and believes strongly in the impact that objects and aesthetics in the home can have on one’s wellbeing and happiness. When not at Originate you can find Hannah digging for treasures at local antique stores and occasionally selling her artwork in art markets around town.

Brin

Brin came from the Tohono Odham reservation as a rescue through PACC. He started working at Originate in early November 2016 when he was 5 months old. Brin is still shy and likes to approach you first. Sometimes he has way too much too say! He is super sweet and is learning to like affection from humans. His favorite friend is a stuffed fox who you may see him carry around. Brin does love wood and paper like Skye did and also appreciates treats and visits from other dog friends!

Cipriana Salazar

Cipriana grew up in the Bay Area and has a degree in Interior Design from Southwest University of Visual Arts (SUVA). Cipriana started at Originate as an intern while she was going to interior design school in the fall of 2007. She worked at Originate full time from 2008 through the summer of 2013. Since then you will find her randomly filling in at Originate. Cipriana is working in the field now, installing many of the products we sell at Originate and creating anything you can imagine. She loves a challenge and is one of the most creative people I know.

Terry Moody

Terry has degrees in Art History and Fine Art from the University of Arizona. I started working with Terry in 2003 and she has done most of the graphic design for Originate since, from business cards and stationery, to advertisements, to our recent tree ring campaign, to both of our website designs. Terry has taken my ideas and turned them into a reality, and when there was something I wanted to try and she didn’t think it would work, she would still represent it. Our relationship has been one of collaborative teamwork from the beginning, and Terry has been instrumental in helping to create Originate’s image.

 

Gavin Troy

Gavin grew up in Tempe and has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from ASU in mixed media. You may find him riding his bike around the downtown arts district of Tucson where he lives and works. He has been painting since graduating in 1994 using old wood, canvas and clay paints. I was drawn to Gavin’s illustration and painting style and asked him to design Originate’s logo in 2003. Gavin painted the mural on the outside of our 9th Avenue location in 2005, made the clay tiles for the entry steps and drew the map for our website and the icons for the home page of our original website in 2006. We have collaborated together over many years.

Skye

Skye was a German Shepherd mix from the Humane Society. She came to work every day since before we opened. Skye was here for the long hours of renovating our 9th Avenue location. In the old days, she loved to greet everyone as they came in and walk around the store with you and even climb in the delivery trucks in search of a good piece of wood. Skye was well known around Tucson as we walked almost everywhere. Skye passed away on January 4, 2016. She never saw the new space on Main Avenue once it was renovated. I still feel like her spirit is here watching over Originate as she came to work for almost all of the 13 years we were in the 9th Avenue location.