Do We Have A Problem With Reality?...Maybe

Yesterday, I read a blog post "Dear Future Architects: Don't Be Like Me". I enjoyed the self reflection the author had about a particular situation where he was designing a fast-food restaurant...not say the Guggenheim Museum and was a little less than enthused. He wrote “Bojangles? Are we really doing a Bojangles? Is there someone else who can work on this? I’m not working on that,”. The cool thing is he realized his mistake and categorized them into several things. He summarized them into these four categories; saying "no", sometimes you have to choke down the vegetables, he missed an opportunity, and he wasn't grateful.

There was some real self-reflection there. THEN I read several comments like "designing for a unhealthy food chain", "follow your dreams", "unethical to design a fast-food...", he had "principles". So I thought I would provide a small reality check to those new comers in the industry and by the way, I am not an architect, but do work with many in the high-end residential industry.

1. We all  have to start somewhere. Turn down work when you're getting started and you'll be doing sidewalk art beside your shopping cart. 
2. Just because you have an extremely high opinion of yourself and talents doesn't mean I'm supposed to also. We all see art differently...same with architecture.
3. You can't eat dreams...or maybe the architecture unicorn will take care of your bills while you refuse to design an "unhealthy" food-chain.
4. Take a real hard look around at the work being done today and understand you may never design a project that has any significant relevance. This doesn't mean not to try, but it is the reality. 
5. It's just a JOB, be thankful you can make a living doing what you love. 

That said, challenge yourself, strive to create great design, want to be recognized...then go to work. Well done Stephen Ramos, architect!

Modern from Texas to Connecticut

Project completed  with M-Gray Architects

Recently in Dallas, I find the majority of projects I'm designing "on the boards"  are modern or contemporary. The project above from M-Gray Architects I recently completed and also have two more currently under construction for him. 

So, with an upcoming trip to Connecticut for phase #2 of a wonderful landscape lighting project at Maywood Gardens,(classic architecture at its' finest) I thought I'd take a look at some of the modern architecture in the area.

Jendretzki

Specht Architects

Joeb Moore + Partners

Personally, I'm more of a classical type of gentleman and Maywood is about the most beautiful estate I've had the pleasure of working on and for. However, this could also be the place I'm at in my life...five kids under 13 and they would destroy anything modern! Clean lines, yeh right, nothing is ever 100% clean in our house. I can appreciate the heck out of it though

Will illuminate for trade

Love getting the opportunity to travel through South Texas to review all our outdoor lighting projects. An absolute favorite ranch project near Uvalde always challenges my resolve to "work not play" while I'm away from the family and on a landscape lighting job. However, after careful consideration, thinking I'll have to find a way to barter with someone in the near future for a chance to hunt with my boys like when I was a kid in North Dakota. 

Anyone out there willing to trade landscape lighting for a week of archery hunting?

"A Little Cheaper"

I lost a job this week that really surprised me. The text message said "I have somebody else doing the install for me that was a little cheaper". That wasn't the surprise, but the disappointing points just add up to a big "WHAT"! 

- I know this builder from my church and we even know a bit of each others "back story".

- I was referred by the landscape architect. First time I was ever recommended by an LA and didn't get the job!

- I spec'd out the equipment for the LA and recommended a couple unique details to the design that will make this job extremely cool.

- I am more expensive, but for a reason...not design, not equipment, but in the details of the installation. I make guarantees others can't because of how I install the job and won't install it any other way...not even to reach a budget.

- Reality is when it comes to million dollar plus homes, budgets are secondary to the quality. 

Thinking this particular builder either believes outdoor lighting companies can be compared apples to apples or doesn't place any value on the outdoor package. Either way, I'll make another guarantee, a phone call will be made to whoever does install the job "a little cheaper" to make changes (adjustments) within a year. At least if I'm right, it'll be a good point to make to other builders down the road.