There has been in interesting series of essays recently ruminating on the future of the profession. The dialogue was started by Scott Timberg writing in Salon.com. It’s mostly dark and discouraging: But for all its soaring lines and innovative solutions, architecture is exposed to the realities of the marketplace like few other fields: The surging …
From Chris Harmon: “A year ago, a massive oil spill began in the Gulf. The entire country was glued to the news until the well was capped, and then we forgot about it. As the year anniversary was fast approaching I became curious, just how much oil was that exactly? Where would it have gone? …
There is no low impact solution when oil is involved Read More »
I am intrigued by the ferocity of the leadership versus management debate in the popular business literature. It is both, of course. Steven Covey’s metaphor of the work crew building a road in the forest is useful: Someone has to climb up into the trees to see what’s ahead and determine the best path for …
We creative types struggle with the paradoxical relationship between making art and running a business. And while we gain comfort from fictional characters like Howard Roark or books like Do What You Love and the Money Will Follow, most of us are unwilling or unable to accept the sacrifices and asceticism of Roark, or do …
Ann and I had a great weekend in Atlanta with our son, Kerr, his wife, and their menagerie of pets. During a conversation with Kerr over lunch on Saturday I was reminded how every little thing we did as a parents had an effect on him and his brother, John. Like it or not, they …
I am smack dab in the middle of a raging debate. One voice says: “It’s about our clients, not us. When our websites shout ME ME ME ME we are sending not just the wrong message, but also an offensive one.” The other voice says “I am what I am, and what I have learned …
Kim Weiss is in the PR business, and good at it. Her clients (including architects and a variety of other artists) are consistently recognized in “the press” in all its forms. Today she posted a rant on her Facebook page sharing her frustration with the local newspaper which has for years refused to make mention …
Simon Sinak (of Begin with WHY fame) offered this advice today: “Never let the fear of seeming impolite inhibit progress.” And Seth Godin, writing synergistically with Sinak made this important point in a separate post: “Pleasing everyone with our work is impossible. It wastes the time of our best (clients) and annoys our staff. Forgive …
Jody Brown is one creative guy. Imagine my surprise when I learned he lives so close by that we could actually meet for coffee. And we did. What Jody has to say about architects, architecture, and the value of a massive career setback is important reading. Please do it…and subscribe to his blog Coffee with …
Losing my job may have been the best thing that ever happened in my career. Read More »
Some of us (many of us?) have attention issues. This can be a blessing for creatives: We are never stuck with one direction, one thought, or one solution. We are always looking for a better way, a different way, or just a more interesting way. Of course this is also a curse. Just ask my …
