My first job, at the tender age of 14, was working at Hy-Vee as a bagger. One of my (many, so many) bosses there loved to say “Work smarter, not harder.” I remember him reminding me of this once as I was attempting to move a display from one area of the store to another,…
I brought donuts to work this morning. I’m not supposed to because COVID, but that just means I’ll eat them all myself. I’m celebrating, because it is one of my favorite days, as someone who loves obscure and esoteric things. It the feast day of St. Bernward of Hildesheim, a more obscure patron of architects…
Prevalent in several university architecture programs these days is an emphasis on the “narrative” in design. No, this doesn’t mean the technical narrative a mechanical engineer puts together (as enticing as engineering narratives might be). I’m talking about approaching design per the definition of a narrative, that is thinking of a building or project as…
Now for something completely different! We have some iconic buildings, be them good or bad, scattered throughout our State. To feature some of these buildings, I created a scavenger hunt with the assistance of some colleagues. The images below feature details/close-ups from some buildings with iconic or perhaps “unique” detailing or style. Take a look…
Many designers are capable of truly artful approaches to their design work. Often times this is to gain buy-in from clients, to win competitions, and to inspire communities regarding future development in their neighborhoods. However, an artful approach can also be important regarding the more technical side of architecture – construction documents. In bygone eras…
One of the things that has informed my design process over the last decade is the skill of gesture drawing I take from my art degree. It has helped me move a project from conceptual design to detail without losing site of the “big-picture” and overall story behind a building’s formal genesis and larger impact.…
In case you haven’t seen it yet in your monthly issue of ARCHITECT magazine (which all AIA members should receive), make sure you check out some of the project features – one may be a bit more recognizable than the others, as it comes straight out of Brookings. SDSU’s first Passive House studio project has…
Assuming you haven’t gotten to your Thanksgiving dessert yet, here is a bit of fluffy (but light) reading about the Architecture of the Thanksgiving Dinner. I got my start last night (see cover image), and think I fared well, towards the informal. But I wonder if we can apply the realm of design and planning…
My initial plan for today didn’t come together, so a quick, shareable, fluffy video post is on tap instead; One of my favorite designers, illustrates how, at the core, an architect’s skill set is valuable outside of the regular realm of professional practice – in this instance specifically, in regards to “systems” thinking at a…
By Andria Bender, RN The Americans with Disabilities Act will turn 30 next year, and the landmark legislation greatly improved accommodations for persons with disabilities. The regulations set a clear expectation that everyone deserves to be present, active, and engaged in our society. ADA guidelines serve as a reminder for architects, engineers, and interior designers…