HEATHER RB WASHBURN, AIAOn a great day, I spend most of my time drawing, losing myself in the lines on the page. Every now and then I try to think through how I ended up where I am. I didn't really know what an architect was until high school and even now I blur the lines between architect and artist.
When you have the chance to start over how do you start? It's a daunting question, for which there isn't an absolute answer. I believe you have to ask questions and keep asking them. Slowly patterns begin to emerge and clarity is brought to the challenge. It's also important to build a team that is willing to fully participate in the process. I moved to the west coast in 2005, and became a bi-coastal architect for the last six years. Last summer it was time to further explore opportunities in product design and sculpture by opening Calico Studio. I have always been a strong leader, and I wear a lot of hats. I take these experiences and use them to help decipher questions and find answers. I meet with my clients and listen and look for the patterns, taking in their body language, what they say, and what they show me. I am also looking for the unexplored creative vein. What tools can I use to push the envelope? When I reflect back, I am looking for not only the "big puzzle" but also how it connects, how the individual pieces have notches defined by their components and rules. These connections could be the understanding of subtle differences of a new culture. It could be the reasoning behind a sculpture or painting, the relationship between two people, or simply how to make an aspect better. I am searching for the exhilaration of the "ah ha" moment. The one you get right after finding a solution, and what's better than that is when someone is along with you for that discovery. It's lasting, and it's what I love about architecture and art. |