Architectural Sketchbooks 2011 exhibit

We have completed the installation of this year's version of "Architectural Sketchbooks" at the Center for Architecture (3425 West 7th, Fort Worth). Six AIAFW members were asked to keep a sketchbook for one year and the variety of responses will be on display. Each participant has reacted differently to the assignment, ranging from a scrapbook of daily notes to a dozen incredibly detailed drawings. Mine is a combination of travel sketches, graphic meditations, and pages from my daily sketchbook.

The opening reception is Monday January 23rd from 5:30-7:00. The exhibit will be on display through February. (photo is of Mies van der Rohe's hands).

20 x 20

I'm pleased to be one of the presenters at Pecha Kucha Fort Worth on Thursday, October 27th at 6:00pm in the M Lounge. It's an interesting format- 20 slides x 20 seconds each. My presentation is titled "Questions regarding Art, Architecture, and the Public Realm."

More info at : http://www.fwpublicart.org/nu_site/page.php/id/events

Vegas Lounge Act updated

We've completed our furniture and finishes selections for the two lounges at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. These images show the lounge in the new International Terminal, which should open in early 2012.

Lancaster Boulevard

We have started our work as Design Architect on a new three-building development in downtown Fort Worth on the recently restored Lancaster Boulevard. Two of the structures feature four floors of apartments; the other is a six-story office building. All three projects will have retail on the ground floor. We’re honored to be selected to lead this exciting project located on a street of such architectural significance.

losing our shared architectural heritage

In our fractious times it seems hard to believe that once people agreed that public architecture should be of the highest quality, incorporate significant art, and represent our our shared culture. Obviously, the GSA Design Excellence program still strives to achieve all of these goals (against significant headwinds), but I fear the big box has become the abiding symbol of our current "cut everything, invest in nothing" culture. This is worth a read:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/aug/02/us-post-office-new-deal

summer intern opening

I am accepting resume's from students or recent graduates interested in summer employment. Please forward them via email (and no 10mb portfolio attachments!). Thanks...

interesting debate

It seems to me that revolutionary movements, such as New Urbanism, eventually become highly  orthodox and as a result spend most of their time defending the faith and burning heretics. First generation Modernism was no different, but after surviving Post-Modernism, it emerged as a "big tent" movement and remains vital today. I think most architects agree that NU brought welcome attention to mixed-use, walkable communities and the importance of the street. But it has a major blind spot when it comes to design, as this article notes: landscape urbanism vs. new urbanism