Stay out of the Way?

I am sure that most of the folks reading this are at least familiar with the publication Dwell.  I find it to be a challenge to reality sometimes; seems that creating ‘affordable’ modern homes has a different meaning for everyone.  However, sometimes it provides inspiration particularly on those days when I think people don’t really care about architecture, or see a need to hire an architect.  In this tenth anniversary issue, I was delighted and inspired by one article, person, in particular.

Philip M. Issacson sounds like the kind of client that every architect dreams of having, if only once.  And perhaps once is just enough.  The reason for this is entirely to stroke one’s ego as an architect, but boy wouldn’t it do the job.  His house in Lewiston, ME is not a grand one and the funds were not limitless.  He simply was intrigued by design and appreciated modern architecture, as in the Bauhaus type, enough to want to live in that style.  And he found the right architect for him noting that “You have to find one that has the right approach, an attitude that you can feel throughout his or her work.  You have to appreciate that attitude and admire it enough to want them to carry it into the house.”  The connection between the residential architect and client can be a little too close for comfort sometimes.  There is a lot of information that has to be exchanged in order for your home to end up yours.  In order to do our best for you, we tend to find out exactly how you live, therefore you really need to be completely comfortable sharing those quirky details about yourself.

He goes on to say, “When you find your architect you have to stay out of the way until the day he shows up with the plans…”  Now this is the real ego stroking part.  Here he goes, just letting the architect do his job without interfering.  This is not the ideal situation in the beginning, at least for me.  As I said, I need to get to know the folks who are going to be living in the house in order to get it right or even close.  Now, if I didn’t care about them, sure I could design a nice house, it just wouldn’t be their home.  Perhaps once I am established and have developed a true style, then it will be easy for someone to say go ahead, do what you do.  But until then, I want some input from my clients.  That said, I don’t want a challenge at every decision I do make, because most of the decisions are made with a lot of thought and based on experience.  However, I do want to know if the client wants a space of darkness or light, rough or smooth, and room enough for 20 yet comfortable enough for 2.

Clearly Mr. Issacson found the right architect for himself.  He has such respect for the work that he has not modifed a thing, only maintained it to perfection.  He believes his home is a work of art, and it is all custom crafted.  Can you imagine a design that suits you so well that you need only maintain it, not modify it?  That would be truly timeless work.

So yes, I would like to have a client one day, and really I think one is plenty, that affords me the opportunity to create the space as I understand they desire without ‘interference’.  And hopefully more than one that feel their home is absolutely perfect for them, never want or need to change it, and believe that the design is timeless, a work of art.