It’s been a while since I went into the vault here at Coffee with an Architect. Yes, the stainless steel fur-lined vault of Architectural secrets I keep behind the portrait of Frank Lloyd Wright holding a pear. Frankly, I’ve been hesitant to reopen it since the last time (HERE). Some things are better left in the dark aren’t they? … Read More
An Architect in 140 characters or less
Maybe these could be my new Twitter bio. Or, we could just think of it as an elevator speech… for the lonely. . I’m just an Architect, standing in front of an ideology, asking it to love me; Also, can I have a dollar? I’m an Architect, like Howard Roark from the Fountainhead, only fatter, and underemployed. I’m an Architect, … Read More
Cats do not care about Modern Architecture
. Has it been 12 hours? Really? I spent all day by the floor to ceiling glass wall and watched a sparrow build a nest in the River Oak by the pond. Then I threw up a white hair-ball on the terrazzo floor. Yes, I heard what you said about “servant” and “served” spaces. I understand that my litter box … Read More
Maybe I would be stronger than I am
If I were to sit with myself for a while at this table, I would tell me that it didn’t go the way I thought it would. I was young, and looked so thin, and sure of my ideas in that over-sized flannel shirt. With the world in front of me, believing I had the purest thoughts, standing cleanly aligned … Read More
Great Works of Architecture taken out of context
The English respond to the French with a desert – The Trifle tower Because Napoleon liked the Black-eyed Peas – The Arch de she-humps If moved to Portugal – The leaning tower of Siza When designed by nerds – The hanging gardens of Babylon 5 If Egypt smack-talked – “Great pyramids of Giza”, or is it “the Greatest pyramids of … Read More
Architectural living will
I think it’s safe to say that Architecture has not been feeling very well lately. He’s just lying there, hooked up to “machines for living”. Indeed, the profession has weakened to the point that it may have fallen into a coma. Are we prepared? Do we have a living will? what do we do with the body of work? < … Read More
10 ways you annoy rich people
you know you probably do: . You know the difference between veneer and solid wood, but you don’t give a shit. You did not sign the check. You are watching Mad Men because the redhead is hot. You are blocking the view. Why are you looking at me? You are wearing a jersey on the Jersey shore. You just used … Read More
The Architect Interviews you
Lately, I’ve come to believe that Architects, and the very profession of Architecture have become detached from the day to day realities of the culture and people we serve. So, as a small step to begin to bridge this gap, I have decided to reach out with a few simple questions and interview, you! ( the casual reader of this blog ). … Read More
10 Ways Architects Ruin Puppies
10 ways Architects ruin puppies Arrange the puppies by percentage of recycled content. Allow the mechanical engineers to place the supply and return grilles in the puppies without adequate architectural coordination. Over Articulate the puppies. Juxtapose the puppies with kitties. Put non-operable shutters on the puppies’ openings. (note, use of shutter dogs, not withstanding). Provide more than 2 exits from the puppies. Put … Read More
Thank you Public Plaza
. Thank you public plaza, for being so unnecessarily spacious, and for allowing me to park so far away from the entrance. I probably needed to walk that extra 30 minutes during my lunch hour on my way to the DMV. Thank you public plaza, for changing levels occasionally, just to keep me alert. Thank you public plaza, for your simple paving pattern articulated … Read More
Architects need a good slogan
I’ve got it! Sure, we’ve been struggling as a profession lately. Yeah, the economy has hit us hard. People have needed to re-think their priorities, and Architecture hasn’t made the list. But, I think all we need is a good ad campaign. Am I right? A snappy slogan could be just the thing we need to revitalize this profession. Hell, … Read More
Dear Design Studio
Dear Design Studio, Why are you so cold? Do the maintenance people turn down the thermostat when they go home for the day on purpose to keep us lethargic? Are you hanging meat in here? And what is that sound? Is that ass in the art studio across the atrium banging an 8 foot by 12 foot wooden frame together at … Read More