Why I blog

. No seriously.. why am I doing this? So, I’ve been giving it a lot of thought lately. It might be because I’m stressing out about what I’m going to say in my presentation at the AIA conference this year. But, more than likely it’s just a first of the year “hey, lets re-evaluate my entire life” kind of thing. … Read More

Talking to your Architect

. Excuse me (my dear architect), but you’re being an ass. Yes, kind of sort of maybe a little bit Am I bothering you with my petty contract? Is this job just not your “ideal” project? Doesn’t it fit into your “body of work”? your “oeuvre”? Is this project not going to win you any awards? I know you’re talented. … Read More

Talking to Clients

. First of all, they probably don’t know what they’re talking about anyway. And, I think they asked for some kind of pastel. So, just nod often, eventually, they’ll go away. If not. Say things like: “Trust me, I know what I’m doing.” Or: “No, that’s not going to work.” Or: “No, because it doesn’t fit with the “vocabulary” of … Read More

Important Places

. Important places In 1969, when my father was at war overseas, my mother and I were on the front porch of our 1910 Bungalow in Kansas. The wind pushed my toys over the edge and into the grass. My mother was leaning on the railing, talking quietly to our neighbor. I crawled across the painted wood and reached through … Read More

A Conceit of Architects

  What do we call a gathering of Architects? When animals gather in groups, we refer to them by an array of elegant terms: a Flock of Birds, a Herd of Sheep, a Swarm of Bees, a Smack of Jellyfish, an Array of Hedgehogs, a Pack of Elephants, a Clan of Bears, a Troop of Chimpanzees, an Exultation of Lark, … Read More

2012, New Plan

. Hey Architecture, Let’s be honest, 2011 could have gone better. For me, the wind came out of my sails somewhere around June (or February, whatever…) I did not do the best work of my career in 2011. I didn’t define the character of my generation in elegantly proportioned board-formed concrete, mainly because I was exhausted. Somehow, my highly held … Read More

A Few of my Favorite Things – 2011

2011 was a good year at Coffee with an Architect. This little blog has grown beyond all my expectations, and I owe it all to you guys. This year there’s been 221,887 visits to the site, from 136,792 unique visitors. (Clearly 136,791 of you need to rethink your priorities.). So, since I’m still all sappy and sentimental from the holiday wine, … Read More

Twelve Days of Architecture

. On the first day of Christmas, my Architect gave to me A study guide for the A.R.E. . On the Second day of Christmas, my Architect gave to me Two turtlenecks, And a study guide for the A.R.E. . On the Third day of Christmas, my Architect gave to me Three French Curves, Two turtlenecks, And a study guide … Read More

This Foyer is going to be Epic

I don’t think you understand what I’m telling you. I’m not trying to open the door here. I’m trying to open your mind. It’s a simple problem really. Just keep the rain off of them as they enter the building. That’s all you really need to do, right?. Hardly… This is the first impression this building will make. I’m not … Read More

Architecture Sounds Dirty

  So I just asked a simple question. “Are there any Architecture terms or phrases that sound unintentionally ….. ummm… dirty?” Yep, 12 hours later I had 150 responses. The internet is awesome. And, you guys are disgusting. So, here goes, I’ll list the terms I have so far. In fact, I’ll even include a pdf you can print and post … Read More

Alternative names for Architecture

Alternatives names for Architecture: Buildobfuscation Preconstruction musings Evilinear Spontaneous Justifications of Form Drawing Awesomptions Lessismoring Building permit application forms Turtleneckage Computer-Aided-Anguish Rectilinearsneers Repetitive dichotomy disorder Miessing Whiteboxing Corbursting Unmarketing Simplicomplication Lonlinesting Cantstruction Roofleakage Aaltoration Angstification Under-penning Financialignments Structuralonely Foundationalizations Grandgesticulates Ennui-lization Eyesorage Formalimitations Hierarchitecting Symmetryfallsinthewoods Trance-formation Louis Kahn The Artist formally known as Architecture . Feel free to add your … Read More