THE PERFECT CITY WOULD HAVE
Access to rivers and forest; lots of greenery and parks; balanced with culture, arts and history; a place where you can work, live and play; and have the ability to walk everywhere.
ONE TECHNOLOGY ON THE HORIZON THAT CAN CHANGE THE WORLD
Presence awareness sensors; when you walk in to a room it “senses” your presence and adjust the settings to your liking. Sound, light level, temperature, connectivity, art, aromas…all to your preference.
TOPIC IF YOU WERE ASKED TO GIVE A TED TALK
A reality check on workplace design.
THE NEXT BIG IDEA WILL COME FROM
Our children, if we encourage them to think outside of the box, be creative, and emphasize both art and science.
A CENTURY FROM NOW, HUMANITY WILL
Revere nature above all else and understand its power and impact.
ONE BOOK EVERYONE SHOULD READ
Architects should occasionally review their copy of the college textbook Architecture: Form, Space, and Order by Francis D.K. Ching to read about classic principles of architecture and see magnificent sketches.
MOST MEMORABLE MENTOR OR TEACHER
My father. He taught me to love, enjoy life, be happy with what you have, and pass it forward.
HARSHEST CRITICISM YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED
“No excuses. If you are the lead, anything that goes wrong is on you.” Gerald Peck to me when I was a young designer.
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FAVORITE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION
Walking.
WASTEFUL HABIT YOU’RE TRYING TO KICK
My three vices are lots of ice tea, sweetener, and salt.
MOST FULFILLING HOBBY
Walking the dog.
MOST MEMORABLE HOMETOWN HAUNT
I still live in the neighborhood I grew up in, but I do miss the drive-in theatre.
GREATEST PROFESSIONAL PET PEEVE
Those who hire talented people and then don’t trust or empower them. And Gibbs would say “You don’t waste good.”
INDUSTRY JARGON YOU WOULD BANISH
Collaboration and teaming, most overused words and often misunderstood.
A CURRENT EVENT WE SHOULD FOLLOW MORE CLOSELY
The Middle East. It’s an age old conflict but it’s getting more extreme, and today it is fueled by technology and new age weaponry, so it will impact us all.
ENVIRONMENTAL COME-TO-JESUS MOMENT
I’m a child of the ‘70s, so the commercial with the Indian crying in a forest surrounded by litter got me.
MOST COMPELLING ARGUMENT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
Our children.
WAY TO MAKE THE ENVIRONMENT A NON-PARTISAN ISSUE
Realize we only have one planet, and in the US, we are fortunate to have fertile land and varied climates. That is not something we can take for granted. The countries that don’t have them realize it, so we better.
YOUR PERSONAL DEFINITION OF SUSTAINABILITY
Lifestyle balancing; living in a way that has low or no impact to our natural surroundings while being as connected to it as possible, and in a way that supports our own well-being and community.
PUBLICATION YOU HOPE WILL NEVER DIE
Life magazine, but it did. I miss those amazing photo spreads and articles celebrating, well, Life.
SOCIAL MEDIA—HELPING OR HURTING
Hurting. For every one good post there seems to be a dozen mocking something or someone. Just not nice.
THE THOUGHT OR IDEA THAT CENTERS YOU
We are all small but can make an impact. Like dominos.