Why Am I Here?

Starting with Why

Stepping back from the philosophical and ponderous nature of that question to explore the pragmatic, I suppose I owe you all an explanation…

Why is it that I’m here? What’s the point of the musings? 

Well, the overall intent of putting this out into the world is to engage anyone who’s game, in discussion. Architecture + design lovers, architects both aspiring and practicing, clients, tech minded individuals, and the backbone of any architecture firm… the designers and doers. The makers.

I’ve got quite a list of things to share, which will (hopefully) be influenced by any discourse that occurs here in the feedback loop.

Current Job Title

At this stage in the profession, and in my current office – I’m not a principal, I’m not the lead anything, and given the assembly line organization of the firm – I’m not even a designer. That’s part of what has spawned where I find myself today. Seeking other creative outlets, and getting crushed by the learning curve of something new.

I’m at the beginning/middle of something. I have an idea.

For those of you who aren’t architects or designers – I’m the guy on the client calls that listens to learn, and only speaks up when he’s got an idea of how to solve a revision request or have a discussion with the engineers how we’re going to solve detail conditions. Suitable materials and methods while still maintaining the art of detailing.

That 300 pages of drawings & details, that 1,500 page spec manual, and all the documents its going to take to get the permit, and majestically allow the months of planning and revising to achieve physical form? That’s presently my job.

Creative Outlets

Lately, since the creativity has to seep out somewhere – I’ve been designing process. How to achieve the end goals and requirements of the task in a more efficient manner. This is not nearly as sexy as architects are portrayed in popular culture – but vital nonetheless. (At least that’s what I keep telling myself) It does loop back into the tools – and the questions of how we create…

Being a tech junkie, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

It also comes out in 3D printing, making things at home. In design explorations, photography, doodling and dreaming about what it might be like to get back into social media and engage on a public platform. To get back into design discussions and principles. Sharing ideas about what this profession is, what to expect, and where it’s headed. For those both inside and outside of the fold.

I’m here to learn. To share. To create. To make things better and provide elegant solutions to ugly problems, and draw cool stuff.

John