It tells our stories. Architecture that isn’t connected to humanity is simply an economic or a physical equation. When we connect the act of building to the people inside it, it becomes something so much more. They help give us a place in this world, become symbols of who we are, and become vessels that facilitate day to day life in a meaningful way.
Sitting down with people and discovering the hidden potential of a project. A story lies beneath the surface of every opportunity, it’s our job to uncover that with our clients. To me, it’s less about presenting a polished final product and more about discovering the path together.
When we do, it’s electric.
The design problems we address are becoming increasingly complex. Our skill is uniquely qualified to navigate these challenges, but that we need to be more collaborative and open-minded in how we approach them. This may sound trite, but learning to truly listen, valuing input from others and putting aside preconceived notions is a big part of that.
Don’t be afraid of mistakes. If you’re going to fall, fall because you are moving forward.
I’ve always been curious about the natural environment. It’s where I feel most human. It teases out the basic instincts of who I am as a person.
I love being on trails without knowing where they lead. To walk through landscapes, see them unfold, and stitch them together. To see what’s around the next river bend, or over a mountain ridge. There’s a powerful sense of discovery that comes with that.
Years ago I visited the Thermal Baths at Vals, which is located in a tiny alpine village in Switzerland. I went back on three separate occasions. I’ve never been to a place before that so carefully and humbly captures the spirit of a place. This project became so important to the Swiss people that one year after it opened they put it on their national heritage registry.
Pictured: Therme Vals by Peter Zumthor
There have been a lot, but most recently – the Alley-Oop laneways project. It’s an example of how a small investment, carefully conceived and applied can have a disproportionately large and measurable impact. It’s a space I walk past everyday on my way to work, and it puts a smile on my face because it’s a visible reminder of our ultimate goal — to make this a better place.
Imagine if instead of avoiding Vancouver’s downtown laneways or just using them as a shortcut through the city, you actively sought them out as spaces to socialize and play? More Awesome Now...
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