I studied under Mies Van Der Rohe. Sort of. Not me, Not listening to the Cure When I was in third year, while under the influence of the Cure’s “Disintegration“, I decided to cut my own hair. I left it long on the top and shaved it close to my head everywhere else. I looked awesome. And by awesome, … Read More
Designing Glass Underpants
If I try to remember some of the comments from my past clients, very few come to mind. I remember the projects. I remember the specifics of the designs. I remember what I was trying to accomplish with the concept. I remember my goals. I remember my aspirations. But, if I try to remember what my client told me? … Read More
I’ve been seeing other virtual people
. First of all, I apologize for not writing more lately… and, secondly, I apologize for writing as much as I have lately. It’s a balance really. Anyway, I just wanted to share some news. I’ve recently started to write for Houzz once a week. Which I find equal parts awesome and confusing. Please take a look at Houzz. It’s … Read More
We have a winner!
Last week’s giveaway was a success! And, this morning I fired up the random number generator to pick a winner from the comment section, and the winner is the uber fabulous Genie Bae! (aka @EBArchDesign). I swear the results were completely random and had nothing to do with the sublime snarkiness contained in her comment. I swear. Anyway…, there’s more … Read More
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
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