The Colbert Report: Emily Pilloton

Here is an interesting interview with designer, Emily Pilloton, where she explains that great design can have positive social impact.

more about “The Colbert Report: Emily Pilloton“, posted with vodpod

End of the year 2009 commentary

Thanksgiving is long over, Christmas is at our doorstep, and the new year is just around the corner.

2009 has been an interesting year I must say; professionally and socially speaking. It reminds me of around 6 or 7 years ago when I was working for a medium sized firm with 60+ employees that had massive lay-offs, reducing the firm down to half! These lay-offs took place right before Thanksgiving and right before Christmas! It was devastating to see colleagues be let go and during a time when people are supposed to be festive. Those who still had a place at the office began to lose morale. I was one of the lucky ones who still had a job. I was thankful but knew I had to get out before I would be next on the chopping block. Plus, I had worked there for 3 years without a raise. Back then, employment was still good, depending on the sector and size of the firm you were looking into. I was fortunate enough to find a new position at a small firm with about 10 people, and a very minor pay raise. I didn’t care, I wanted out. I prospered professionally at the small firm but felt I was never properly compensated for my hard work. In 2008, I decided it was time to move on after I was told the company had financial limitations, and the projects were becoming stale, and I was not growing professionally.

Again, I was fortunate enough to land another position that met my salary requirements and projects that would challenge me with greater responsibilities. My professional expectations of the new position were not met, and by the time I realized this, it was too late; firms were not hiring.

The beginning of 2009 was scary as news of massive lay-offs in the architectural field spread. And then in mid-2009, the current firm had downsized leaving just me and the boss. I was sad to see my colleagues go but was more concerned about adjusting myself with the projects I had inherited. Ever since I arrived at the current firm, I’ve been cleaning up the messes that was started or left behind by others that were never properly addressed.

I tried to look at the upside of this kind of responsibilty, and like to compare it to George Clooney’s character in the movie, Michael Clayton but without the potentially deadly conspiracy factor. He’s a cleaner. He cleans up the messes other people leaves behind and dispenses damage control. It’s an interesting role I have found myself in. I have acquired a great skill of problem solving under pressure especially as it relates to projects whose history are beyond my personal knowledge. The experience has also been a great comfort to me in that the other project team members acknowledge and appreciate the difference the project has progressed as a result of my participation. Professional, reliable, and efficient is how I conduct myself.

I recently met with a former colleague for lunch, and she explained to me that the company I used to work at was still managing to stay afloat and ride through the lull in construction. The staff salary was cut but partially subsidized by the government through partial unemployment but they worked less hours in order to qualify for federal aid. On top of that, they don’t have paid time-off anymore. They do have extended time-off during the Christmas and new year’s holidays but that’s unpaid time-off. Hearing this makes me very thankful I left when I did, and despite some of the disapppontments I have come to realize about the current position as a “cleaner”, I am employed, I am paid very well, I have paid time-off, and full medical coverage. And this year, I got a bonus. It wasn’t alot but the fact that I got one means more to me than not getting anything at all.

And with that, I wish you a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year in 2010!

Gifts for the Architect

Now that we are fast approaching the holiday season, you may be wondering what to give as a gift to that architect you know and like. There are many architects out there; all with different sensibilities, tastes, quirks, and interests.

I’ve compiled a list of suggestions that may help you find the right gift for that friend who’s either an architect, student of architecture, or in the architectural profession. There’s no such thing as the perfect gift with an architect.

BOOKS

For the architect who has wall to wall shelving of books, and has no time to read; or who has an empty coffee table. Here are some recommendations with pretty pictures of contemporary architecture that is sure to inspire.

Tiny Houses by Mimi Zeiger, is a 7″ x 7″ hardcover collection of tiny houses; no bigger than 1,000 square feet!

“With “McMansions” increasingly giving way to “tiny” houses, the desire to downsize and be more ecologically and economically prudent is a concept many are beginning to embrace. Focusing on dwelling spaces all under 1,000 square feet, TINY HOUSES (Rizzoli, April 2009) by Mimi Zeiger aims to challenge readers to take a look at their own homes and consider how much space they actively use.
Ranging from tree houses to floating houses, TINY HOUSES features an international collection of over thirty modular and prefab homes, each one embodying “microgreen living”, defined as the creation of tiny homes where people challenge themselves to live “greener” lives. By using a thoughtful application of green living principles, renewable resources for construction, and clever ingenuity, these homes exemplify sustainable living at its best.”

-book description from Rizzoli

For the architect who has joined the “green” bandwagon.

Green Architecture Now! by Philip Jodidio is a soft cover collection of contemporary sustainable architecture.

“The ecological impact of new construction, once a secondary concern, has become a crucial issue. Badly designed buildings guzzle natural resources and pollute their surroundings; in an era of rocketing energy costs and environmental degradation, the need for a sustainable, energy-efficient architecture is paramount. This book features the architects, artists and firms pioneering a new green architecture, and examines the emergent esthetics.”

-book description from TASCHEN

For the architect who loves Le Corbusier, here is the biggest book published of the great modernist architect.

Le Corbusier Le Grand published by Phaidon.

“Le Corbusier (1887-1965) was born Charles-Edouard Jeanneret in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. The self-named Le Corbusier was not only the creator of some of the most important and impressive buildings of the last century–Villa Savoye at Poissy, the Chapel of Notre-Dame-du-Haut at Ronchamp, the capitol complex in Chandigarh, India–he was also an accomplished painter, sculptor, furniture designer, urbanist, and author. His work and social theories continue to be a dominant force in the world of architecture and design, while his elegant bearing, bow tie, and round black eyeglasses are still today a signature look for architects around the world. Le Corbusier Le Grand’s oversized format and luxurious binding reflect the legendary status of this “giant” of twentieth-century architecture and design.

The book includes an insightful introductory essay by France’s most authoritative architectural historian and critic, Jean-Louis Cohen, and incisive chapter introductions by highly regarded Le Corbusier scholar Tim Benton. A separate booklet includes translations of documents, many of which have never been translated into English before.”

-book description from Phaidon

For the critical architect whose always got something to say about a building.

Building Up and Tearing Down, and Why Architecture Matters; both by Paul Goldberger, who was recently on the Colbert Report. To see the interview, click here.

“The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao by Frank Gehry, the CCTV Headquarters by Rem Koolhaas, the Getty Center by Richard Meier, the Times Building by Renzo Piano: Pulitzer Prize–winning critic Paul Goldberger’s tenure at The New Yorker has documented a captivating era in the world of architecture, one in which larger-than-life buildings, urban schemes, historic preservation battles, and personalities have commanded an international stage. Goldberger’s keen observations and sharp wit make him one of the most insightful and passionate architectural voices of our time. In this collection of fifty-seven essays, the critic Tracy Kidder called “America’s foremost interpreter of public architecture” ranges from Havana to Beijing, from Chicago to Las Vegas, dissecting everything from skyscrapers by Norman Foster and museums by Tadao Ando to airports, monuments, suburban shopping malls, and white-brick apartment houses. This is a comprehensive account of the best—and the worst—of the “age of architecture.””

-book description of “Building Up and Tearing Down” from Random House Inc.

“Based on decades of looking at buildings and thinking about how we experience them, the distinguished critic raises our awareness of fundamental things like proportion, scale, space, texture, materials, shapes, light, and memory. Upon completing this remarkable architectural journey, readers will enjoy a wonderfully rewarding new way of seeing and experiencing every aspect of the built world.”

-book description of “Why Architecture Matters” from Yale University Press

DVD, MOVIES, DOCUMENTARIES

Architects love to watch and learn things so why not get them a documentary of a famous architect?

The PBS documentary of Frank Lloyd Wright by Ken Burns and we all know Mr. Burns produces highly acclaimed documentaries. To learn more about the documentary, click here.

A great documentary on the Spanish architect Antonio Guadí by Japanese director Hiroshi Teshigahara.

Synopsis from Criterion Films,
“Catalan architect Antonio Gaudí (1852–1926) designed some of the world’s most astonishing buildings, interiors, and parks; Japanese director Hiroshi Teshigahara constructed some of the most aesthetically audacious films ever made. Here their artistry melds in a unique, enthralling cinematic experience. Less a documentary than a visual poem, Teshigahara’s Antonio Gaudí takes viewers on a tour of Gaudí’s truly spectacular architecture, including his massive, still-unfinished masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona. With camera work as bold and sensual as the curves of his subject’s organic structures, Teshigahara immortalizes Gaudí on film.”

For the architect who likes to be entertained, here are some movie suggestions.

The International starring Clive Owen and Naomi Watts. One of the customer reviews for this movie commented that the movie is stylish and featured great architecture.

The Fountainhead (the movie) starring Gary Cooper and Patricia Neal. The screenplay was adapted and written by the original author, Ayn Rand.

MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS

For the architect who likes to stay abreast of the latest trends in architecture, design, construction, and technology; magazines are a way to go and will be greatly appreciated. Just as there are a variety of specialist architects in the field, there is a magazine that fits their interest equally. Here is a list of architecture magazine compiled on Wikipedia that is sure to please any architect happy.

• A10 – new European architecture
• AG magazin Serbian magazine for architecture and construction
• Architects Journal
• Architectural Digest
• The Architect’s Newspaper American and International Architecture, published in New York and Los Angeles.
• Architectural Record International Architecture
• Architectural Review
• Azure” Canadian, International Architecture and Design
• Blueprint_(architecture_magazine) UK Based International Architecture and Design Magazine
• Casabella Italian and International Architecture magazine
• DesignIntelligence Architecture and design leadership and strategy
• Detail German based International Architecture magazine
• Domus Italian and International Architecture
• Dwell Architecture and Lifestyle
• El Croquis Leading offices producing outstanding works
• Frame International Architecture
• Junk Jet Electronics ° Aesthetics ° Architecture
• Log Observations on architecture and the contemporary city
• Metropolis Magazine Architecture and Design
• Oris Architecture and Art
• POL Oxygen Australian, International Architecture and Design
• “PRAXIS” Journal of writing and building
• Sherwin-Williams STIR Magazine News and resources for interior designers and architects
• The Next American City Architecture, Design, and Urban Planning
• Volume Magazine International Architecture

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

The Architect is never without his/her own set of tools that distinguishes them from another architect. It’s a competitive world out there and the Architect is always looking for ways to stand out from the rest just as they do with their designs. Here is a list of tools you may want to consider to stuff the stocking of the Architect.

The Architect always needs something to draw, write, and scribble with so why not get him or her a nice mechanical pencil like the Pentel Sharp Kerry, which is available in many colors.

Another option for a mechanical pencil is the LAMY scribble; Model 185(3,15).

For sketching, it has a thick 3.15 mm lead and a removable clip.
Mechanical pencil with distinctive ergonomic form. Matt black plastic, fittings in a palladium finish.
Clutch mechanism with 3.15 (LAMY M 43) sketching lead.
Designer: Hannes Wettstein

- description from LAMY scribble

You can’t give the Architect just a mechanical pencil; pair it up with a sketchbook. I saw this while I was in Barnes & Noble. These books are by ecosystem. The colors caught my eye and then I noticed that there are different books for different types of people. There is one for the artist, the writer, the organizer, and the Architect. And the Architect’s sketchbook is bound with graph paper? When I saw that, I was like, “Really?” I don’t know any architect who uses graph paper sketch books.

e•co sys•tem ar•chi•tect [ek-oh sis-tem ahr-ki-tekt]

An environmentally aware person who creates strength and order with lines.

Because you are structured, expressive, and ordered, each ecosystem architect item features grid paper so you can continue as an environmentally aware person who creates strength and order with lines. The 100% post-consumer recycled paper features a perfect grid for your planning.

I personally prefer sketchbooks by Moleskin. They come in a variety of sizes and covers. I like the ones that come three in a pack; perfect for traveling and to quickly jot down notes. Moleskin is currently offering a limited edition sketchbook for the Architect called La Mano Dell’Architetto.

“The Hand of the Architect (La Mano Dell’Architetto) is a limited edition Moleskine book filled with drawings from 110 internationally renowned architects. The compilation is a tribute to Piero Portaluppi, who in 1932 designed Villa Necchi Campiglio, located in the heart of Milan. The participating architects donated a total of 378 signed sketches. These were then exhibited in Milan and auctioned to raise funds for the maintenance of Villa Necchi Campiglio, which is now open to the public.

Get a glimpse into the sketchbooks of visionaries like Michael Graves, Zaha Hadid, Piero Lissoni, Kengo Kumo, Mario Botta, Tadao Ando, and many more. From whimsical to philosophical, simple sketches to elaborate renderings, the images in this book are a source of inspiration that will make you think, smile, and create.

Then, capture your own ideas with the companion special edition blank journal – this set includes the hardcover 272 page Moleskine Folio filled with architectural sketches, and an A4 Cahier with 120 blank pages for you to fill up!”

-description from Moleskin

MISCELLANEOUS

We all know that architecture is a high stress profession, and as a result, many architects like to unwind with a drink , or two, or three, or more. Why not treat them to a nice bottle of gin like DH Krahn gin.

If drinking isn’t a good idea for that architect you know (because there are lots out there who are alcoholics), how about a session with a therapist to help the architect you know work out their professional stresses, or career goals, or addictions (i.e. alcohol). Why not try an outdoor counseling sessions in Manhattan with Clay Cockrell; taking therapy off the couch? He’s been featured on Good Morning America, The Wall Street Journal, and AM New York; to name a few. For more information click here.

And how about for those architects who are just anal retentive? They need to loosen up and relax and not take work so seriously. Why not get them a gift certificate to a spa for a relaxing massage? Great Jones Spa is a great place to retreat and relax. I highly recommend the 90 minute massages; it will be greatly appreciated. Not only that will the architect enjoy a wonderful massage but they will also have access to the water lounge, which includes river rock sauna, chakra-light steam, thermal hot tub, and cold plunge.

For the young person who aspires to be a great architect, get him/her started on their first Lego Architecture products like building Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water.

Lego offers other products in their Architect series as well as their Landmark series.  Visit your local toy store or go to Lego.com to see what other incredible products are available for the young architect.

Happy Shopping!

The Colbert Report: Paul Goldberger

An interesting interview of Paul Goldberger, architectural critic on The Colbert Report. He has a new book out called, “Why Architecture Matters”.

more about “The Colbert Report: Paul Goldberger“, posted with vodpod

You should call customer service even though you did not initially have a question

I recently made a purchase on behalf of the client for some acoustical burlap which will be used and made into curtains for his office space. The company that I bought it from is called ATS Acoustics; they sell products that help you to maintain and control noise and sound.

The acoustical burlap was featured on a single page, which described the product, its acoustical properties, and a selection of colors to choose from. I did not see any issues with the product that would be a concern and proceeded to order the material. The ordering process was easy enough, at the bottom of the page is where you enter the yardage quantity required. I entered 52.

A few days later, I get an email notifying the order was shipped and I noticed there were two tracking numbers. I called immediately to inquire about this. The customer service on the other end explained the bolts come in 50 yards. They shipped an entire bolt and a separate 2 yards. She said that information should have been borates on the webpage but she apologized if it wasn’t. Then she added if I had questions, I should have contacted them. I told her that ATS should have notified me about the product’s availability to which she repeated; if I had questions, I should have contacted them. At that point I realized it was pointless to continue this conversation with the customer service agent as she was not being helpful about resolving the issue.

I returned to the website and read thru the page featuring the acoustical burlap to see if there was information about the bolt of fabric; there was none. The page did not describe that the fabric comes in 50 yard bolts. Confirming this did not erase the negative opinion I have with ATS Acoustical and the customer service agent.

Money is not the issue here as the material is inexpensive. Though the customer service agent pre-emptively apologized should the bolt information not be indicated on the webpage, her suggestion that I should have called if I had questions made her pre-emotive apology meaningless.

I eventually did my own searched and Googled, “How many yards of fabric on a bolt?” You will find the answer here.

Design for Life with Philippe Starck

I just finished watching a new reality TV show broadcasted on BBC 2 called Design for Life, which features world renowned designer, Philippe Starck who is seeking new design talent in the UK.  Twelve contestants were personally selected by Philippe along with his wife, Jasmin, and a designer who works for Philippe (whose name I can not spell and can’t seem to find on the internet). Although I do not care much for reality shows in America, I did graviate to this one when I read a tweet from Abitare on Twitter announcing the show featuring Philippe Starck.

The format of Design for Life is like many other competition based reality TV shows. The contestants are put to the test, judged, and eliminated until one person remains and is crowned winner.

What interests me about this show is Mr. Starck’s explanation and discussion of how to approach design with fresh new ideas to solve current and everyday issues.

In the first episode, Mr. Starck assigned the contestants a task to buy two items based on 1 of 3 themes; ecology, function, or gender. Each item must be an example of a good design and a bad design based on the themes as outlined, or an example of a male product vs. a female product (for the gender theme).

Of the 12 contestants, only 1 contestant will win an opportunity of a life time to work with Philippe Starck at his Paris office for 6 months. And already 2 contestants have been booted off. I don’t know if each week will eliminate 2 contestants at a time but it’s worth a watch.

For those of you who do not have access to BBC2,  you can catch the first episode here. Or you can click my Vodpod widget on the sidebar.

more about “Design for Life“, posted with vodpod

Don’t throw me under the bus.

Protecting one’s behind is common place in the field of architecture and construction especially in the presence of the client. Some professionals do their best to make the right decisions and maintain an honest and open dialog with the client and project team while others make up excuses to try to hide their incompetance.

Recently, I had to draw up a detail for one of the project I am working on and my boss advised me to send it to the GC (general contractor) for comments. I sent the GC an email with the attached detail asking him to review and comment. The email was cc’d to the client, the owner’s rep, and my boss.

The following day, I see an email from the owner’s rep asking the GC if he reviewed the detail I had sent and if he had comments.

The next day, I see an email from the GC answering the email from the owner’s rep. He replied that the detail was not attached with the email. The GC’s response was cc’d to the client, owner’s rep, my boss, and me.

BULLSHIT!

I acted quickly to search for the email I had originally sent along with the detail. Once the original email and attachment was traced, I clicked on the “forward” button and cc’d all names, and included a message that indicated when the original email was sent on a specific date and emphasized the detail was attached with the email and cc’d the same people on the email.

Later that day, my boss explained to me the GC had called him and asked that I refrain from throwing him (GC) under the bus. I was taken aback by the GC’s audacity and responded, “Then HE shouldn’t throw ME under the bus!” My boss agreed.

The nerve of the GC trying to insuate that it was my incompetance that kept him from reviewing the detail. Please! The GC does not realize who he is working with.

Bascially, the GC neglected this project and was not focused on some of the issues that required his attention. Instead of being honest about it and taking responsibility for his lack of action, he tried to use me as a scapegoat. Not cool!

As a matter of professional practice, I will copy certain members of the project team on most emails I send out. It’s important to keep people in the loop of what you are accomplishing. It’s good practice because your boss will see how well you are doing in managing the project and team; and the client will be pleased that you are meeting project goals and deadlines.

If you’re lucky, your boss or supervisor will come to your defense (that is if he or she reads your emails at all), or if your boss has confidence in your abiltiies, your boss will let you take care of it. This current boss is not quick to come to my defense but I have had bosses who were and it helped to build my confidence.

I’m not suggesting that all GC’s are incompetant and conniving; and this is one example and experience of many that I have had with GC’s. I’ve met good ones who I’d like work with again, and there are GC’s I hope to never see again. Architects are also capable of scapegoating and lying but that’s for another post.

The client is not always right…

One of the projects I am working on is coming to completion. I was hired to work on the Construction Administration portion of the project. Apparently, the client was not satisfied with the person who was working on it.

We moved the client into his apartment on Monday with a crane. That was a stressful day. The client had returned from his trip and was present at the job site. Normally this would be fine but this particular client was just unpleasant to be around. He was yelling at people while they’re trying to do their job and being frustrated with everything. He was completely ignorant and unappreciative of the efforts people were making. He was throwing tantrums at everyone and no one.

This particular client is wealthy and resides in a building with other people of wealth and some of them with fame.

I am told the client must be hopped up on drugs most of the time, which explains his explosive temperament. Personally, I think he’s just bi-polar and will most likely develop some mental disease if he isn’t already.

During the day of the hoist, the client goes about yelling about the movers and how they were doing everything all wrong. Two of the movers were present when the client was yelling. They didn’t say anything. I knew his was not going to be good so as soon as the client left the room I tried to smooth things over with the movers. I told him to just ignore them and don’t pay attention. They shrugged and continues to work.

Well, those movers told their manager and he was pissed off. He wanted to speak to someone. He had no problems speaking to the client and in fact the manager wanted to speak to the client about his bad mouthing the movers and expressing his lack of appreciation for the work they were doing. I knew asking the client to come down was not a good idea so instead, I asked the assistant to come down and speak to the manager instead. The last thing I needed was an explosive argument and the movers to quit. They had just one more thing to bring up and it was crucial that they get it up there.

The assistant helped to smooth things over with the manager and they resumed work.

Later, the assistant told me that she spoke with the client and explained to him the situation. Supposedly he took it well and even apologized. I wish I was there to witness the client eating humble pie.

Today, the client reacted to an email I sent him (which was also copied to relevant people) and asked me to call him. Basically, a furniture maker that we are currently working with did not deliver everything he was commissioned to do. There are still some outstanding items but he was close to getting it finished.

I called him knowing very well the client was going to be disrespectful and unreasonable. After he finished ranting about how poorly I was managing this guy to deliver everything, he wanted to know it taken so long. I knew why it had taken so long but it wouldn’t have mattered. He was upset and anything I would have said would have only added to the flames that was spewing from all his orifices. So I waited until he finished. It was quiet and then he said, “Hello?”

I responded with, “I don’t have an answer for you.”

I guess he was taken aback because there was a half second pause from him. He then said, “That’s not an answer!” and demanded that my boss call him.

I eventually spoke with the furniture maker after I advised him how pissed off the client was. He personally called him and tried to have a conversation with him but the client was unreasonable and wasn’t listening to what the furniture maker offered as a solution.

I’m not sure what the client’s motivation is to behave in such an abusive and childish manner but it’s not constructive or productive. I look forward to closing out this project and never having to deal with that client again.

Closing

Well, it’s official. My boss informed my other colleagues that the office does not have enough work to sustain the current staff. Well, I don’t know exactly what he told them other than that he was forced to relieve them of their employment.

I knew about this at the start of the month when he pulled me into the conference room to discuss a project but informed me that he was closing the office. I could feel the blood rush from my face when the announcement washed over me and sank to the bottom of my stomach. But then my spirits lifted when he offered me to stay on with him. He explained to me that moving forward, we will be taking on a different role with one of the on going projects in the office. (Sorry, I can’t give details of the project.) And with my colleagues being laid off, there was going to be plenty I work for me to take on.

I must admit that despite the pending bad news that awaited my colleagues, I was happy that I was still employed. Happiness soon turned into discomfort upon returning to my seat where I faced my colleague who had no clue what was waiting for them. I must have seemed strange in my behavior.

And in fact, most likely the news of my colleague’s pending departure relieved me of my patience with them while we continued to work together. That’s not to say that they did not get on my nerves previously. The difference is that I was stuck working with them and had to make the best of the situation by being more patient with them. Don’t get me wrong, I like them as people and as friends but I would not want to work with them. Knowing that my colleagues were being let go of was liberating. It meant that I wouldn’t have to deal with their lax work habits.

At the same time, it was awkward sitting there having friendly conversations knowing what I knew. It was also difficult not being able to talk about it with my colleagues; gathering together to exchange thoughts and opinions of the latest office news.

I’m not sure how long they’re going to hang around. As I understand it, they got a severence package.

I’m not sure what the future holds after this point. I did tell a friend about this (I needed to share this with someone), and that I am along for the ride and will see where it takes me. I have always said that I wanted to expand beyond architectural practice. This may be my opportunity to do so.  In a way, the downsizing is a closing of a chapter in my career. Wish me luck.

ICFF 2009 Pratt: Design for a Dollar

Per a request from a reader’s comment, I am posting Pratt’s participation in ICFF 2009.  I just want to clarify that the following material is from their brochure, which I picked up and scanned.  It was late in the day and they were packing up for the day when I came upon their booth and was not able to see everything or speak with all the students.