It’s not a new idea, but I like to think of architecture, at its noblest, as art -- architecture as sculpture that we can walk through. Walking between the double-walls of Brunelleschi’s dome of the Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence was an amazing and fun experience; but it was Corbu’s chapel at Ronchamp (France) that first grabbed me and opened my eyes to the idea that abstract art could apply to architecture as well. Having first studied this building in school, and then eventually traveling to see it in person, I’m still inspired by how one building can be bold yet modest, open yet intimate, practical yet sensual, and introspective yet spiritually soaring all at the same time! In school, it became “bigger than life” because of all the attention given to it, but when I went to see it in person, I was taken by how humble and unassuming it actually is.

My earliest memory of being moved by architecture was when I was a kid on a field trip to California’s Central Valley to visit a small Spanish mission built in the 19th century. It was a very hot and dusty day when we finally arrived, and I’ll never forget the feeling I had of relief and interest that came over me when I entered the mission; it made me really look at the building around me, and gave me a palpable sense of awareness. Just the fact that I wasn’t expecting it, I think, really allowed for the impact it had on me. Inside, it was spacious and beautiful in its simplicity and craftsmanship, and it was cool and comfortable due to its design and construction (not because of air conditioning). Within the adobe walls, you could clearly see each individual brick -- each made by hand of earthen clay and baked by the sun before being laid in courses. The space was lit by indirect sunlight from above, which was filtering down in cross patterns. How appropriate that this was a spiritual place of worship! As I look back now, I realize that this modest building represents many of the ideals that I currently strive for with my own practice: design that is of a human-scale, fitting to its place and made of local materials -- materials that can be made from and returned to the earth without detriment; design that has a clear purpose but can be adapted to other future uses; design that responds and works with the local landscape and seasonal climate; and, design that fulfills the program but raises the human spirit as well!

Both of my parents have strong work ethics, and I think this was instilled in me while I was quite young. My father is a realist painter and a Buddhist, and growing up with him allowed me to see art as an integral part of daily life, and something that comes from focus and hard work. Having him working in his studio right next to our house, meant that his paintings, as well as his zafu pillow (spiritual side), were accessible to me at anytime. My mother is a French cooking teacher, as well as an antiques dealer, and growing up with her gave me a respect for the kitchen as the heart of the house and family. Watching and helping her in the kitchen gave me an appreciation for the preparation that goes into creating something wholesome and delicious. Never hurried, she was able to stir many pots at once, while calmly explaining to me my task at the moment. I carry this with me to this day, and see preparing a fine meal similar to creating a good design: both require careful planning, the right ingredients added in the proper order and restraint, and faith in the process by allowing it to unfold. My mother and father, in their own ways, showed me that persistence and determination are almighty, but that anyone’s endeavors should be coupled with enjoyment as well.

I view my own practice as being an integral part of a service-oriented profession, and I like to work closely with a client as a collaborator to ensure that the end product is what the client wants, not what I want per se. Projects of all sizes are important, and I think that even a fence can be designed and built with integrity. Whether it’s a deck, an addition or remodel, a new house, clustered homes or cohousing, a commercial storefront, a warehouse, or any other project, I approach each venture with the same care and thoughtfulness.