The other day I asked a simple question on Twitter and Facebook: “What is the perfect name for an architect?” Jody on Twitter After over 180 responses we may be no closer to the answer, but we have some suggestions: Long Span, AIA Les Moore, FAIA Max Headroom, Intern Iso Lates, AIA Loos Von Cept, AIA Drafts Mann, AIA Preston … Read More

Can you be hired by someone only to tell them they’re wrong? Biting the hand that feeds you? If you’re hired as an expert on the topic can you tell them that they don’t know what they’re talking about? Can your expertise cause these confrontations? The fact that you’ve been trained to understand the nuance of the problems, you’ve practiced … Read More

You will make a phone call to explain to someone that their idea would lessen the design intent and is therefore wrong. This person will be your client. They will not enjoy this conversation. You will make a fresh pot of coffee at 4:00 pm, and 4:00 am. You will not rest until the vision that you have, that no … Read More

The last thing I think of before going to be will be toilet partitions, the first thought in the morning will be about toilet accessories. This will happen often. Weekly. I will spend an inordinate amount of time working on something that very few people care about, including my clients. I will find myself sexually aroused by board-formed concrete. daily. right … Read More

Have you ever noticed something that doesn’t align? I mean noticed something that doesn’t align every time you open your eyes. Every. Time. Sprinkler heads, HVAC vents, light fixtures, outlets, light switches. They are all placed as if by accident. Or on purpose and someone is trying to kill me by making my head explode. Seriously, things that are not … Read More

Good Habit #1 – Alignment A good architect will align some of the things. A great architect will align all of the things. All of the things. But you may say that if I align this thing with that thing then that thing will not align with this thing. These are the musings of a lesser architect. Align the things. … Read More

Modernism is the artful replacement of everyday amenities with glass. Modernism is the creation of an open plan primarily by removing all the furniture. Modernism wants you to leave your shoes next to the front door, and your coat, and your preconceptions of spatial concepts Modernism would like to mention that it studied under Mies Van Der Rohe. Modernism would … Read More

The first thing you need to realize when trying to stay on budget is that every idea or concept for the design that you’ve ever had in your entire life is over budget. All of your ideas. Every one of them. Do I need to mention the rain screen phase you went through in college? The next thing to realize … Read More

When I was young I believed that concept was the most important thing needed to guide the process of creating a building. If you had a solid concept, you could navigate through the whole process using it as a beacon. How do you organize the office space? Refer to the concept. How do you detail the handrail? Refer to the … Read More

  What do you do for a living? I’m an architect Oh, interesting. Do you design houses? No Because my wife and I have always thought of designing our own house. We’d like a French Mediterranean villa. Do you design French Mediterranean? No, I live in North Carolina We just think French Mediterranean is so elegant. Don’t you? I guess … Read More