is the code cold?
I run up against building code interpretations quite often. I think our ancestors who figured out the Rosetta stone had it easier. Since most of my work has something to do with an existing building, I...
View Article5 design keys (not four, not six)
Design should be a mystery and it should not be a mystery. Can something be two competing and opposite ideas simultaneously? Is this some ancient Greek philosophical paradox? The creative process...
View Articlesteve mouzon + new media :: game changer
Book Review :: New Media for Designers and Builders – simply put….buy the book and read it. If you need more convincing, read on. I must admit that I am slow to adopting technology at times, but I...
View Articlewhy did you choose this?
I love working with people. In fact as a solo practitioner it can be a bit “too quiet” at times during days without meetings or many phone calls. The collaboration with people makes this profession...
View Articlewhen they say no
This is one of those posts I’ve put off writing because I wasn’t sure of the reaction or my real motivation. However, my blog tagline compels me to share what we’re thinking. If you’re looking for...
View Articleorder off of the menu
Are you willing to order off of your architect’s menu? If you are considering hiring an architect, let me applaud you. As you are going through the process of selecting an architect, there are many...
View Articlewhen they say yes
I suppose it’s only fair to follow-up to previous blog post with the opposite response when it comes to a client saying yes to hire you for their architect. In a previous post, I explored the thoughts,...
View Articlepurpose of drawings part three – definitive drawing
In our last two posts we looked at drawings as a thinking device and that they tend to develop from very loose and abstract images to defined, scalar representations of the building or space. Today we...
View Articlereflections on being a good client
Have you ever wondered what it is like to be on the other side of the table when your profession is to be hired as a consultant? Have you ever been a client? In the past year I have worked with...
View Articleface the music
I’m not using this idiom in the strict sense of facing punishment, but accepting responsibility. After all of these years of working for myself and working for years in a very responsible position...
View Articlethis and that
How do you define architecture? What is it? What isn’t it? What distinguishes it from mere buildings? Will I answer that? No. Can I answer that? I don’t know. However, when we talk to our students (as...
View Articlepossibilities
As we near the end of this year, I’ve been thinking about architects and possibilities. If you are not an architect or do not play one on TV, this may not make sense to you. Architects love...
View Articlepaper architecture [aka unbuilt]
Yes, I believe unbuilt or theoretical design work can be considered architecture. I enjoy working on theoretical design concepts much like some people write poetry, knit or collect stamps. It’s a...
View Articlenew, important + wise
Welcome to 2014. How did you spend your first day back at work? Before you read any further, scroll to the bottom, click the video link and read this while listening to the music. Ok, where were we… I...
View Articlenew graphics, old news
Last year my firm celebrated 10 years of being in business. In fact, at this point I am nearing the 11th anniversary come February 2014. As anyone would do, I reevaluated myself after a decade of...
View Articlei don’t know what a building is
Yes, I’ve been reading again; quite a bit I might add. As part of our design curriculum where I teach, we assigned a series of readings for our students that deal with the subject of building tectonics...
View Articlenot a freelancer
I am not a freelancer or a person that does freelance work. I am a sole-practitioner architect. By no means do I feel any sense of superiority over those that provide services in that manner, but I...
View Articlezoning vs building code :: what is the difference?
Please pardon the break from my esoteric soap box to address something important that comes up often in my practice. I have slipped in a few sarcastic statements if you’d like to count them – consider...
View Articleadvice to students (and architects)
Recently I’ve culled through several emails that I’ve sent to my first-year students this semester. I noticed a pattern of statements that may sound like archi-babble to some, but were intended to...
View Article3 points and a poem (for presenting)
After attending (or watching) a series of presentations (continuing education classes) or some other type of lecture where someone was speaking with a PowerPoint presentation, I’ve developed a couple...
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