We are all somewhere. None live solely in our minds, or on the glowing screen you are seeing here. We all have a context, an origin point, a place. Humans are not satisfied with instinct, they create. Everything is made in a place. That place is where the needs and desires of those who wish […]
Architecture Is Human: Part II – History: The Other Gravity
Every second passes, and there was a before, now and after. Unrelenting. Unchanging. On every thing we see, hear, taste and touch. Time is universal. It is so pervasive, so overwhelming, that we often simply ignore it. We want to live forever. We want to freeze time. We revel in the past, we want the […]
Edit and Amplify
This month’s Fast Company magazine cover story… A very interesting article about Nike CEO (and former star designer) Mark Parker. Certainly worth reading.
Architects Can Learn Much from Other Industries
What can we learn from other industries to make the traditional architectural and construction processes better? Hospitals are filled with checklists and other systems to make sure that every step of a procedure is done correctly. NASCAR racing teams also use checklists and directives from multiple layers of team members, each with their own specialty. […]
The Process of Architecture?
At Fivecat Studio, our process of delivering architectural services includes a very highly developed set of construction documents. Every possible decision is made. Every product is specified. Every fixture is scheduled, ready for purchasing. Our intent is to obtain very competitive bids from general contractors, minimize change orders and reduce construction time by eliminating delays […]
Building Design that Builds Businesses
Building Design that Builds Businesses – BusinessWeek. BusinessWeek magazine announced the winners of their annual BusinessWeek/Architectural Record Awards this week. Of all the awards programs, this one is one of my favorites. I appreciate the promotion that great architecture helps build great businesses.
Business Success by Design
I am not the only one who thinks the Apple store on Fifth Avenue is a great example of business success meets remarkable architecture. This past summer it was awarded with the BusinessWeek / Architectural Record Award. According to a BW/AR jury member, “it’s mesmerizing as you approach and descend into a beautiful glass bubble — an […]
Building Wright
Apple.com has a profile of Thomas A. Heinz, AIA, the architect commissioned to reverse-engineer and complete a Frank Lloyd Wright house being built on Petra Island at Lake Mahopac, New York. The article is mainly focused on Heinz’s use of Archicad and Apple computers. It describes the process he used to develop the design […]
Lessons Learned from Apple
If you have not been to the new Apple store on Fifth Avenue, do it soon. In a city where everything is big and loud, the Apple store stands out by being small and quiet. It is simply genius. When you are there, take a good look at Apple as a business. The Apple […]
Corporations Seek MBAs with Design Skills
The February issue of Contract magazine includes an article titled, Design Business. In addition to the prerequisite MBA, top corporations are seeking candidates with empathizing, problem-finding and creative design skills. Many business schools are integrating design courses with their MBA curriculum. Design schools are finally getting the message as well. Business skills are an important […]