What has been your most meaningful project?

Every project is meaningful and special. With every project, client relationships and friendships are formed and new spaces are created; this is a meaningful project to me.

What makes a great architect?

A great architect is someone who listens, someone who can solve problems, and someone who never stops learning.

Best meal of your life: describe it.

I can’t pick just one, as every meal and every trip adds to the list…Pesto in Cinque Terre, falafel on a late-night tube ride home in London, our entire meal at Girl and the Goat last April, lobster rolls next to the Portland Head Lighthouse, a simple picnic lunch at the Delaney Buttes near Walden Colorado, any meal had while traveling in China, and the list continues.

What was the last book you couldn’t put down?

Everything I Never Told You, by Celeste Ng
Loving Frank, by Nancy Horan
Room, by Emma Donoghue

What is your philosophy on good design?

"Design" comes with responsibility. Understanding that responsibility, and knowing the limits of where to push design and where not to, yields great results.

Dream project?

The next project.

What inspires you in architecture?

The way in which architecture has the potential to have an impact from small to large, good or bad, on either a single person or an entire city.

What is your personal philosophy?

Be a good human and be mindful of whatever you create in this world. Be it any action, any thought or any design; all have an impact on life and are viewed as a representation of oneself.

Best meal of your life: describe it.

Zur Soup, corned beef, dill pickles, bread, and lady fingers

Most precious possession?

External hard drive

What are you listening to (latest downloads)?

Currently blazing through podcasts. All genres accepted!

What is your philosophy on good design?

Good design is an intervention between the prescribed and the desired. Intuitive design is a layered spectrum from apparent (mundane) to obscure (meaningful).

What inspires you in architecture?

The spaces we create support the stories of people. I am often inspired by small low-cost structures, created and built out of necessity by people not formally trained as designers. The resulting design choices (form, function, material, ornamentation, etc...deliberate or not) often present a creation infused with a story that serves as an honest and intriguing portrait of its maker(s). I find myself unsure if I want to know more about the structure, or those who made it.

What was the last book you couldn’t put down?

I recently read a great book with my son called Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen. It's a fictional story about a boy, the sole survivor of a plane crash, who struggles to survive alone in the wilderness; great content for anyone to ponder.

What advice do you have for aspiring architects?

Don't believe that someone who has more experience than you, or has nothing to learn from you. Speak up in your youth as an architect and make your fresh ideas known. The team will be better off hearing what you have to say.

Most precious possession?

I don't consider any of my possessions precious, but I greatly value handmade gifts from my kids. The creative gifts remind me how precious they are to me.

Most precious possession?

My grandmother's silver alto saxophone.

What is your philosophy on good design?

Good design involves three primary things: critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity.

What advice do you have for aspiring architects?

Always remember the things that brought you to this profession. You may need to rely on them from time to time.

Dream project?

My own house in the country.

What is your philosophy on good design?

Good design is created based on knowledge about human interaction within a space. People interact in a variety of ways depending on spatial function, and it is important that we design in such a way that enables necessary behaviors.

Most precious possession?

My cat, Oliver!

How do you cultivate relationships with your clients?

When developing client relationships, it is important to express that their project will be unlike any other project we’ve worked on before. Every project comes with a unique set of requirements; therefore we present every project with a unique design. We want our clients to know that they will have a space design specifically for their culture, function, and brand.

What is your personal philosophy?

Love what you do and who you surround yourself with – don’t waste your time being unhappy.

How do you cultivate relationships with clients?

I think the best relationships just happen organically when you are authentic with people. Taking time to get to know people beyond the capacity or ways you interact with them in the job and just showing genuine interest in who they are.

Architectural Inspiration

I have always been drawn to elements of the unexpected: dual functionality, bizarre angles, expression as art.

What music do you listen to?

Right now I have my 14 year old nephew’s CD on repeat :) He just finished recording and producing his second track where he played each part on all the different instruments and layered them together. He is literally a one man band! It's extraordinary.

What is your philosophy on design?

Good design can happen at all scales and is the result of recognizing and embracing project constraints throughout the entire design process.

Describe the best meal you dream about.

The Crabhouse Sampler at Cutter's Crabhouse in Seattle - A trio of Alaskan King Crab, Snow Crab, and Dungeness Crab, steamed to perfection; served with drawn butter, crab risotto, grilled corn-on-the-cob, and house rolls. Delectable!

What has been your most meaningful project to date?

The new library in my hometown. I grew up in Crete, NE; a town of 7,000 people. After moving away after high school, it was special to return 10 years later to help design the new library.

Last book you couldn't put down?

The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien

Describe your personal philosophy.

Always find ways to push yourself so you don’t become too complacent in life.

What are you listening to?

Anything by Maddie Poppe or John Mayer.

How do you cultivate relationships with clients?

This is a monumental time for the client and could be the first time they've experienced working with an architecture firm. It is key to facilitate good conversation, humanize the process, and deliver on expectations.

What advice do you have for aspiring interior designers?

Don't be blind to what is obvious and be the something memorable.