Since Archinect's highly popular The Proust Questionnaire is giving an agency to otherwise highly criticized stardom in architecture (we all know they all lie and don't really read poetry) I've decided to extend this opportunity to highly colorful Archinect readers in order to preserve famous Archinect democracy and rascaldom. Please copy paste and response, reflecting your true colors. Who's gonna bite the poison pill first?
Who is your favorite living architect?
Who is your favorite dead architect?
How would you describe the personality of your practice?
What is your practice's main weakness?
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?
What is your favorite type of project to work on?
What does architectural happiness mean?
What does architectural misery mean?
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?
What is your favorite color?
What is your favorite flower?
What is your favorite bird?
Who is your favorite poet?
Who is your favorite artist?
When do you lie?
What power would to most like to have?
What architectural strategies do you most overuse?
How would you like to die?
x-jla
Aug 1, 17 2:50 pm
Who is your favorite living architect?
Ando
Who is your favorite dead architect?
Kahn
How would you describe the personality of your practice?
Hopeless romantic
What is your practice's main weakness?
networking and connections to rich people
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?
sense of adventure
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?
boredom
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?
sense of humor and passion
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?
ego
What is your favorite type of project to work on?
A small garden with a fountain
What does architectural happiness mean?
Designing something that becomes integral to someone's life in a meaningful way
What does architectural misery mean?
parking lots
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?
Southern Italy
What is your favorite color?
Green
What is your favorite flower?
Hard one...The Night blooming cerus Peniocereus greggii is pretty amazing.
What is your favorite bird?
owls
Who is your favorite poet?
Henry David Thoreau
Who is your favorite artist?
Jackson Pollock
When do you lie?
When its better than telling the truth.
What power would to most like to have?
teleportation
What architectural strategies do you most overuse?
Mass
How would you like to die?
Id like to keel face down into a chocolate cake at my 200th birthday celebration
randomised
Aug 1, 17 2:59 pm
Who is your favorite living architect?
Rem Koolhaas
Who is your favorite dead architect?
Currently Huig Maaskant
How would you describe the personality of your practice?
Informal
What is your practice's main weakness?
Lack of commissions
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?
Character/personality
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?
Compromise
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?
Vision
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?
Lack of vision
What is your favorite type of project to work on?
The next one
What does architectural happiness mean?
Getting things done properly
What does architectural misery mean?
Not getting things done properly
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?
On my own piece of land (which I don't own yet)
What is your favorite color?
Currently the colour of my sons poopy diapers, so mustard yellow
What is your favorite flower?
I hate flowers and prefer cacti
What is your favorite bird?
Blackbirds because their songs make me wake me up in the morning with a smile
Who is your favorite poet?
Georges Perec
Who is your favorite artist?
dead: Constant
living: currently Ryoji Ikeda
When do you lie?
All the time but mostly to myself
What power would to most like to have?
The power to change what needs changing but can't be changed
What architectural strategies do you most overuse?
How would you describe the personality of your practice?
Technically sound.
What is your practice's main weakness?
We don't do design.
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?
Ornament - the old school way. Little details in generally straightforward buildings that give it beauty.
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?
Minimalism done wrong.
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?
Understanding detailing and materials.
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?
Glossing over the details and making things less buildable for the sake of being right.
What is your favorite type of project to work on?
Old churches.
What does architectural happiness mean?
Indescribable feeling you get when you feel welcomed in and outside of a well designed building.
What does architectural misery mean?
Watching a builder make mistakes because they weren't looking at the drawings.
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?
Alaska
What is your favorite color?
Burnt Orange
What is your favorite flower?
vibrant purple nootka, or Alaskan lupine
What is your favorite bird?
Raven
Who is your favorite poet?
Nietzsche
Who is your favorite artist?
Michelangelo
When do you lie?
When it saves me from hurting someones feelings too bad.
What power would to most like to have?
To be able to see into the past.
What architectural strategies do you most overuse?
Belt and suspenders.
How would you like to die?
Of old age, in sleep.
archanonymous
May 15, 18 12:23 am
Was Neitzsche really a poet?
Wilma Buttfit
Aug 1, 17 4:53 pm
Who is your favorite living architect? Olaf, if he is still alive.
Who is your favorite dead architect? I do not have a favorite architect.
How would you describe the personality of your practice? creative visionary
What is your practice's main weakness? production
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building? relevance
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building? I got two: when it is not designed with the site in mind (plop downs) or when it looks like the materials are slapped on like wallpaper. Also: wastefullness.
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect? Don't take themselves too seriously. Good sense of humor.
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect? Narcissism, perfection
What is your favorite type of project to work on? Interiors and renovations. Projects with existing conditions to consider.
What does architectural happiness mean? working through a tough multi-dimensional problem and arriving at a meaningful and beautiful solution
What does architectural misery mean? eventually you have to stop drawing and let them build it
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)? The middle of nowhere. I'm eyeing western Nebraska
What is your favorite color? indigo and pink
What is your favorite flower? sunflowers
What is your favorite bird? eagle
Who is your favorite poet? Jim Morrison
Who is your favorite artist? The one whose work I'm currently engaging with at any given time.
When do you lie? It's rare. On the internet if I do.
What power would you most like to have? omnipotence
What architectural strategies do you most overuse? hand sketching
How would you like to die? happy, fulfilled, and without regret
Wilma Buttfit
Aug 4, 17 9:03 am
I'm changing my fav poet to Pablo Neruda. I can do that, right? Revised.
Wilma Buttfit
Aug 4, 17 9:32 am
And Rumi. I forgot for a sec but I read Rumi translations every week.
JLC-1
Aug 1, 17 6:17 pm
Who is your favorite living architect?
Me, of course.
Who is your favorite dead architect?
Others.
How would you describe the personality of your practice?
Agreeable
What is your practice's main weakness?
Not enough billionaires in the world.
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?
Honesty
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?
Pomposity
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?
Selflessness
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?
Egotism
What is your favorite type of project to work on?
Clean slate
What does architectural happiness mean?
A building with no operational issues
What does architectural misery mean?
The opposite of above, a roof leak, a broken concrete slab, a sinkhole
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?
In Yucatan, close to Tulum
What is your favorite color?
Blue
What is your favorite flower?
Columbine
What is your favorite bird?
Hummingbird
Who is your favorite poet?
Rimbaud
Who is your favorite artist?
Haring
When do you lie?
sometimes
What power would to most like to have?
see the future
What architectural strategies do you most overuse?
Frontal attack?
How would you like to die?
Old.
mightyaa
Aug 1, 17 7:19 pm
Who is your favorite living architect? Daniel Libeskind
Who is your favorite dead architect? Gian Lorenzo Bernini
How would you describe the personality of your practice? Schizophrenic creative
What is your practice's main weakness? Schizophrenic creative
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building? An ability to illicit an emotional response
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building? Ignoring place and surroundings
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect? Thoughtful lines
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect? Allowing the tools of our trade to become the focus rather than the built building; That mindset that the drawings/renderings are our final ‘product’.
What is your favorite type of project to work on? One where the client allows me to the job where I get to think rather than just wanting a draftsperson who can wrap a box they envisioned it should be and put a ribbon on it.
What does architectural happiness mean? Emotionally and intellectually rewarding teams and projects.
What does architectural misery mean? Blameshifting confrontational teams.
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)? Space where physics & orientation are less suggestive
What is your favorite color? Blue… no… red ….. ahhhhhhh
What is your favorite flower? Night blooming cereus
What is your favorite bird? It’s a simple question of weight ratios; African swallow… not European unless there is a pair…
Who is your favorite poet? Jack Handey’s deep thoughts
Who is your favorite artist? Depends on the mood.
When do you lie? On surveys
What power would to most like to have? Absolute financial power
What architectural strategies do you most overuse? Shattering the enthusiasm and hopeful ideologies and dreams of interns using the undeniable blunt trauma force of undeniable physics, budgets, and code constraints.
How would you like to die? Quickly, rich and happy.
Miles Jaffe
Aug 1, 17 11:58 pm
Who is your favorite living architect?
I can only pick one?
Who is your favorite dead architect?
My father, of course.
How would you describe the personality of your practice?
No bullshit.
What is your practice's main weakness?
Clients.
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?
Attention to detail at every level.
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?
Commoditization.
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?
Experience.
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?
Deceit.
What is your favorite type of project to work on?
I'm happy when I'm making things, it doesn't matter what.
What does architectural happiness mean?
The joy of the process.
What does architectural misery mean?
Does not exist for me as I won't allow it. Been there, done that, never again.
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?
A very steep site.
What is your favorite color?
Blue.
What is your favorite flower?
Alpine wildflowers.
What is your favorite bird?
Chickadee.
Who is your favorite poet?
Pink Floyd.
Who is your favorite artist?
Banksy, Wim Delvoye, Claes Oldenburg, Franz Hals, Vermeer ... this could be a long list.
When do you lie?
Never. Except to myself.
What power would to most like to have?
I never learned to play a musical instrument.
What architectural strategies do you most overuse?
If one is not working I move on to another.
How would you like to die?
By choice.
A.I.
Aug 3, 17 1:34 am
Who is your favorite living architect?
Jean Nouvel
Who is your favorite dead architect?
Mies van der Rohe
How would you describe the personality of your practice?
Autocratic
What is your practice's main weakness?
Management
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?
Appropriate use of materials.
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?
Materials faked to look like something they're not.
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?
Effective hand sketches.
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?
Abuse of technology.
What is your favorite type of project to work on?
Cultural Projects - Public
What does architectural happiness mean?
Financial Freedom
What does architectural misery mean?
Being bullied by idiotic clients.
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?
Mountainous terrain.
What is your favorite color?
Blue
What is your favorite flower?
Tulip
What is your favorite bird?
Red-tailed Hawk.
Who is your favorite poet?
I wish I was more in to poetry - none.
Who is your favorite artist?
M. C. Escher
When do you lie?
When telling the truth would cause unnecessary harm.
What power would to most like to have?
Telekinesis
What architectural strategies do you most overuse?
Asymmetry
How would you like to die?
Fulfilled
b3tadine[sutures]
Aug 3, 17 9:18 am
Who is your favorite living architect?
Who is your favorite dead architect?
How would you describe the personality of your practice?
What is your practice's main weakness?
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?
What is your favorite type of project to work on?
What does architectural happiness mean?
What does architectural misery mean?
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?
What is your favorite color?
What is your favorite flower?
What is your favorite bird?
Who is your favorite poet?
Who is your favorite artist?
When do you lie?
What power would to most like to have?
What architectural strategies do you most overuse?
How would you like to die?
Marc Miller
Aug 3, 17 1:04 pm
is that a sly reference to freejack?
Donna Sink
Aug 3, 17 10:01 am
I
U
b3ta!
bowling_ball
Aug 3, 17 2:57 pm
Who is your favorite living architect?
Zumthor
Who is your favorite dead architect?
Breuer
How would you describe the personality of your practice?
Caring
What is your practice's main weakness?
I work only in trade for goods and services. No cash.
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?
Clarity
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?
Thoughtlessness
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?
Vision
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?
Laziness
What is your favorite type of project to work on?
Those with good clients
What does architectural happiness mean?
Having enough time to resolve details
What does architectural misery mean?
Having too many cooks in the kitchen
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?
Somewhere hot
What is your favorite color?
White
What is your favorite flower?
Heliconia
What is your favorite bird?
Crow
Who is your favorite poet?
....
Who is your favorite artist?
Not sure. Robert Bruno's steel house blew my fucking mind when I first saw it
When do you lie?
Almost never, and to a fault. But I'm learning.
What power would to most like to have?
Not be on the spectrum. Would help with personal relationships of all kinds.
What architectural strategies do you most overuse?
Aligning everything and use of 90 degrees only. Rigor at the expense of fun.
How would you like to die?
Jumping the Grand Canyon on a rocket powered motorcycle
archinine
Aug 4, 17 9:53 pm
Who is your favorite living architect?
Farshid Moussavi
Who is your favorite dead architect?
Oscar Niemeyer
How would you describe the personality of your practice?
Doesn't take itself too seriously
What is your practice's main weakness?
Not getting into project management proper
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?
A puzzle
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?
Opacity
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?
Varied life experiences, big picture thinking
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?
Overly technical, narrow minded, inarticulate
What is your favorite type of project to work on?
Urban, community
What does architectural happiness mean?
Longevity in usage and adaption to continue usage
What does architectural misery mean?
Demolition
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?
The desert
What is your favorite color?
Blue
What is your favorite flower?
Bonsai
What is your favorite bird?
Griffin
Who is your favorite poet?
Lauryn Hill
Who is your favorite artist?
Kehinde Wiley
When do you lie?
When necessary
What power would to most like to have?
Time travel
What architectural strategies do you most overuse?
Axon
How would you like to die?
Skydiving
Nam Henderson
May 13, 18 9:47 pm
How did I miss this thread originally?!
randomised
May 15, 18 2:56 pm
It's never too late to fill in, don't be shy :)
Nam Henderson
May 22, 18 11:18 pm
Took a crack, though I felt I had to take a broader reading to some prompts, not being an architect or architectural professional myself.
Non Sequitur
May 15, 18 3:19 pm
Who is your favorite living architect? Moshe Safdie with Yona Friedman following closely behind.
Who is your favorite dead architect? Oscar Niemeyer and I am sad to say, W. Alsop.
How would you describe the personality of your practice? Aggressively commercial with the ability to do good when the opportunity presents itself.
What is your practice's main weakness? Too much rope given to junior staff without sufficient oversight, No adhesion to drafting or office standards, Blind faith by the principles when an applicant claims they are a 10 in Revit.
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building? How the mundane but necessary parts are dealt with.
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building? wood grain (or other material) prints on composite panels.
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect? Their ability to hold a pleasant discussion on subjects other than design
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect? Adhesion to arbitrary rules as excuse for "style"
What is your favorite type of project to work on? Commercial, Institutional, Academic, Assembly, Office... basically anything but residential.
What does architectural happiness mean? Seeing a project go from sketch to completion with minimal molestation
What does architectural misery mean? Discussing colour theory with interior designers
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)? Sub-Arctic
What is your favorite color? Red
What is your favorite flower? I've never thought about that before. I'd say a tulip
What is your favorite bird? digitus-medius
Who is your favorite poet? Eddie Vedder
Who is your favorite artist? Cezanne, Rothko, Alsop
When do you lie? When I don't like you and need to move on to other things
What power would to most like to have? the power of patience when I'm surrounded by idiots
What architectural strategies do you most overuse? Asking the interwebs for advice
How would you like to die? Alone and lost in the wilderness
Nam Henderson
May 22, 18 11:17 pm
Who is your favorite living architect?
Continue to be consistently impressed by the work of Steven Holl Architects.
Who is your favorite dead architect?
Walter Gropius, as my visit to Gropius House illuminated how even a rational “Modern” home can be/feel personal and intimate.
How would you describe the personality of your practice?
Youthful and loud.
What is your practice's main weakness?
Lack of discipline, preference for comfortable routine.
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?
Accessible, porosity.
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?
Selfishness
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?
Sensitivity
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?
Ego
What is your favorite type of project to work on?
Inspirational and/or challenging.
What does architectural happiness mean?
Getting it right.
What does architectural misery mean?
Value-engineering and/or change orders.
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?
The future.
What is your favorite color?
Blue
What is your favorite flower?
Super excited about the finally, sprouting Mirabilis multiflora I planted last fall.
What architectural strategies do you most overuse?
Intellectualizing and post-rationalization.
How would you like to die?
Quietly and content.
Josh Mings
May 23, 18 11:52 am
Who is your favorite living architect?
Steven Holl. The Hamsunsenteret is by far my favorite building ever.
Who is your favorite dead architect?
Eero Saarinen. He was responsible for shaping my hometown (along with J.Irwin Miller)
How would you describe the personality of your practice?
Current office: laid back and kind of quiet. My home office: Metal up your ass.
What is your practice's main weakness?
Mine, since I rarely do side stuff - wanting to paint instead of doing projects on the side.
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?
Didactic, honesty in materiality
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?
Bad acoustics (especially since I lost half the hearing in my right ear and wear a hearing aid now)
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?
Intuition
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?
Ego (stealing your answer Nam)
What is your favorite type of project to work on?
Anything with a civic impact that helps people
What does architectural happiness mean?
Creating a cohesive whole that is beautiful, honest, didactic out of all the layers of stuff we have to account for in a building.
What does architectural misery mean?
Dealing with a bad GC. The good ones are worth their weight in gold.
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?
Columbus, Indiana. I learned a lot about architecture just by experiencing the buildings growing up. I'd love to get some work in Columbus and hopefully inspire someone.
What is your favorite color?
Orange
What is your favorite flower?
Hell if I know. Tree on the other hand - Birch
What is your favorite bird?
Don't have one.
Who is your favorite poet?
Rainer Maria Rilke
Who is your favorite artist?
Caspar David Friedrich GOAT. Trying to get to that level of atmosphere in my paintings. Richter, Fearnley also on the list.
When do you lie?
Honestly, dates mainly. I'm disconnected from popular culture and the stuff I'm interested in only goes so far here in Chicago.
What power would you most like to have?
The power to always get my way.
What architectural strategies do you most overuse?
Post-rationalization, sculptural window openings (not in day to day practice)
Since Archinect's highly popular The Proust Questionnaire is giving an agency to otherwise highly criticized stardom in architecture (we all know they all lie and don't really read poetry) I've decided to extend this opportunity to highly colorful Archinect readers in order to preserve famous Archinect democracy and rascaldom. Please copy paste and response, reflecting your true colors. Who's gonna bite the poison pill first?
Who is your favorite living architect?
Who is your favorite dead architect?
How would you describe the personality of your practice?
What is your practice's main weakness?
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?
What is your favorite type of project to work on?
What does architectural happiness mean?
What does architectural misery mean?
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?
What is your favorite color?
What is your favorite flower?
What is your favorite bird?
Who is your favorite poet?
Who is your favorite artist?
When do you lie?
What power would to most like to have?
What architectural strategies do you most overuse?
How would you like to die?
Who is your favorite living architect?
Ando
Who is your favorite dead architect?
Kahn
How would you describe the personality of your practice?
Hopeless romantic
What is your practice's main weakness?
networking and connections to rich people
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?
sense of adventure
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?
boredom
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?
sense of humor and passion
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?
ego
What is your favorite type of project to work on?
A small garden with a fountain
What does architectural happiness mean?
Designing something that becomes integral to someone's life in a meaningful way
What does architectural misery mean?
parking lots
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?
Southern Italy
What is your favorite color?
Green
What is your favorite flower?
Hard one...The Night blooming cerus Peniocereus greggii is pretty amazing.
What is your favorite bird?
owls
Who is your favorite poet?
Henry David Thoreau
Who is your favorite artist?
Jackson Pollock
When do you lie?
When its better than telling the truth.
What power would to most like to have?
teleportation
What architectural strategies do you most overuse?
Mass
How would you like to die?
Id like to keel face down into a chocolate cake at my 200th birthday celebration
Who is your favorite living architect?
Rem Koolhaas
Who is your favorite dead architect?
Currently Huig Maaskant
How would you describe the personality of your practice?
Informal
What is your practice's main weakness?
Lack of commissions
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?
Character/personality
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?
Compromise
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?
Vision
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?
Lack of vision
What is your favorite type of project to work on?
The next one
What does architectural happiness mean?
Getting things done properly
What does architectural misery mean?
Not getting things done properly
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?
On my own piece of land (which I don't own yet)
What is your favorite color?
Currently the colour of my sons poopy diapers, so mustard yellow
What is your favorite flower?
I hate flowers and prefer cacti
What is your favorite bird?
Blackbirds because their songs make me wake me up in the morning with a smile
Who is your favorite poet?
Georges Perec
Who is your favorite artist?
dead: Constant
living: currently Ryoji Ikeda
When do you lie?
All the time but mostly to myself
What power would to most like to have?
The power to change what needs changing but can't be changed
What architectural strategies do you most overuse?
Making diagrams
How would you like to die?
I would not like to die at all
Who is your favorite living architect?
Larry Speck - http://larryspeck.com/
Who is your favorite dead architect?
Antoni Gaudi
How would you describe the personality of your practice?
Technically sound.
What is your practice's main weakness?
We don't do design.
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?
Ornament - the old school way. Little details in generally straightforward buildings that give it beauty.
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?
Minimalism done wrong.
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?
Understanding detailing and materials.
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?
Glossing over the details and making things less buildable for the sake of being right.
What is your favorite type of project to work on?
Old churches.
What does architectural happiness mean?
Indescribable feeling you get when you feel welcomed in and outside of a well designed building.
What does architectural misery mean?
Watching a builder make mistakes because they weren't looking at the drawings.
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?
Alaska
What is your favorite color?
Burnt Orange
What is your favorite flower?
vibrant purple nootka, or Alaskan lupine
What is your favorite bird?
Raven
Who is your favorite poet?
Nietzsche
Who is your favorite artist?
Michelangelo
When do you lie?
When it saves me from hurting someones feelings too bad.
What power would to most like to have?
To be able to see into the past.
What architectural strategies do you most overuse?
Belt and suspenders.
How would you like to die?
Of old age, in sleep.
Was Neitzsche really a poet?
Who is your favorite living architect? Olaf, if he is still alive.
Who is your favorite dead architect? I do not have a favorite architect.
How would you describe the personality of your practice? creative visionary
What is your practice's main weakness? production
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building? relevance
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building? I got two: when it is not designed with the site in mind (plop downs) or when it looks like the materials are slapped on like wallpaper. Also: wastefullness.
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect? Don't take themselves too seriously. Good sense of humor.
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect? Narcissism, perfection
What is your favorite type of project to work on? Interiors and renovations. Projects with existing conditions to consider.
What does architectural happiness mean? working through a tough multi-dimensional problem and arriving at a meaningful and beautiful solution
What does architectural misery mean? eventually you have to stop drawing and let them build it
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)? The middle of nowhere. I'm eyeing western Nebraska
What is your favorite color? indigo and pink
What is your favorite flower? sunflowers
What is your favorite bird? eagle
Who is your favorite poet? Jim Morrison
Who is your favorite artist? The one whose work I'm currently engaging with at any given time.
When do you lie? It's rare. On the internet if I do.
What power would you most like to have? omnipotence
What architectural strategies do you most overuse? hand sketching
How would you like to die? happy, fulfilled, and without regret
I'm changing my fav poet to Pablo Neruda. I can do that, right? Revised.
And Rumi. I forgot for a sec but I read Rumi translations every week.
Who is your favorite living architect?
Me, of course.
Who is your favorite dead architect?
Others.
How would you describe the personality of your practice?
Agreeable
What is your practice's main weakness?
Not enough billionaires in the world.
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?
Honesty
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?
Pomposity
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?
Selflessness
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?
Egotism
What is your favorite type of project to work on?
Clean slate
What does architectural happiness mean?
A building with no operational issues
What does architectural misery mean?
The opposite of above, a roof leak, a broken concrete slab, a sinkhole
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?
In Yucatan, close to Tulum
What is your favorite color?
Blue
What is your favorite flower?
Columbine
What is your favorite bird?
Hummingbird
Who is your favorite poet?
Rimbaud
Who is your favorite artist?
Haring
When do you lie?
sometimes
What power would to most like to have?
see the future
What architectural strategies do you most overuse?
Frontal attack?
How would you like to die?
Old.
Who is your favorite living architect? Daniel Libeskind
Who is your favorite dead architect? Gian Lorenzo Bernini
How would you describe the personality of your practice? Schizophrenic creative
What is your practice's main weakness? Schizophrenic creative
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building? An ability to illicit an emotional response
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building? Ignoring place and surroundings
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect? Thoughtful lines
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect? Allowing the tools of our trade to become the focus rather than the built building; That mindset that the drawings/renderings are our final ‘product’.
What is your favorite type of project to work on? One where the client allows me to the job where I get to think rather than just wanting a draftsperson who can wrap a box they envisioned it should be and put a ribbon on it.
What does architectural happiness mean? Emotionally and intellectually rewarding teams and projects.
What does architectural misery mean? Blameshifting confrontational teams.
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)? Space where physics & orientation are less suggestive
What is your favorite color? Blue… no… red ….. ahhhhhhh
What is your favorite flower? Night blooming cereus
What is your favorite bird? It’s a simple question of weight ratios; African swallow… not European unless there is a pair…
Who is your favorite poet? Jack Handey’s deep thoughts
Who is your favorite artist? Depends on the mood.
When do you lie? On surveys
What power would to most like to have? Absolute financial power
What architectural strategies do you most overuse? Shattering the enthusiasm and hopeful ideologies and dreams of interns using the undeniable blunt trauma force of undeniable physics, budgets, and code constraints.
How would you like to die? Quickly, rich and happy.
Who is your favorite living architect?
I can only pick one?
Who is your favorite dead architect?
My father, of course.
How would you describe the personality of your practice?
No bullshit.
What is your practice's main weakness?
Clients.
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?
Attention to detail at every level.
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?
Commoditization.
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?
Experience.
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?
Deceit.
What is your favorite type of project to work on?
I'm happy when I'm making things, it doesn't matter what.
What does architectural happiness mean?
The joy of the process.
What does architectural misery mean?
Does not exist for me as I won't allow it. Been there, done that, never again.
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?
A very steep site.
What is your favorite color?
Blue.
What is your favorite flower?
Alpine wildflowers.
What is your favorite bird?
Chickadee.
Who is your favorite poet?
Pink Floyd.
Who is your favorite artist?
Banksy, Wim Delvoye, Claes Oldenburg, Franz Hals, Vermeer ... this could be a long list.
When do you lie?
Never. Except to myself.
What power would to most like to have?
I never learned to play a musical instrument.
What architectural strategies do you most overuse?
If one is not working I move on to another.
How would you like to die?
By choice.
Who is your favorite living architect?
Jean Nouvel
Who is your favorite dead architect?
Mies van der Rohe
How would you describe the personality of your practice?
Autocratic
What is your practice's main weakness?
Management
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?
Appropriate use of materials.
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?
Materials faked to look like something they're not.
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?
Effective hand sketches.
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?
Abuse of technology.
What is your favorite type of project to work on?
Cultural Projects - Public
What does architectural happiness mean?
Financial Freedom
What does architectural misery mean?
Being bullied by idiotic clients.
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?
Mountainous terrain.
What is your favorite color?
Blue
What is your favorite flower?
Tulip
What is your favorite bird?
Red-tailed Hawk.
Who is your favorite poet?
I wish I was more in to poetry - none.
Who is your favorite artist?
M. C. Escher
When do you lie?
When telling the truth would cause unnecessary harm.
What power would to most like to have?
Telekinesis
What architectural strategies do you most overuse?
Asymmetry
How would you like to die?
Fulfilled
Who is your favorite living architect?
Who is your favorite dead architect?
How would you describe the personality of your practice?
What is your practice's main weakness?
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?
What is your favorite type of project to work on?
What does architectural happiness mean?
What does architectural misery mean?
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?
What is your favorite color?
What is your favorite flower?
What is your favorite bird?
Who is your favorite poet?
Who is your favorite artist?
When do you lie?
What power would to most like to have?
What architectural strategies do you most overuse?
How would you like to die?
is that a sly reference to freejack?
I
U
b3ta!
Who is your favorite living architect?
Zumthor
Who is your favorite dead architect?
Breuer
How would you describe the personality of your practice?
Caring
What is your practice's main weakness?
I work only in trade for goods and services. No cash.
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?
Clarity
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?
Thoughtlessness
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?
Vision
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?
Laziness
What is your favorite type of project to work on?
Those with good clients
What does architectural happiness mean?
Having enough time to resolve details
What does architectural misery mean?
Having too many cooks in the kitchen
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?
Somewhere hot
What is your favorite color?
White
What is your favorite flower?
Heliconia
What is your favorite bird?
Crow
Who is your favorite poet?
....
Who is your favorite artist?
Not sure. Robert Bruno's steel house blew my fucking mind when I first saw it
When do you lie?
Almost never, and to a fault. But I'm learning.
What power would to most like to have?
Not be on the spectrum. Would help with personal relationships of all kinds.
What architectural strategies do you most overuse?
Aligning everything and use of 90 degrees only. Rigor at the expense of fun.
How would you like to die?
Jumping the Grand Canyon on a rocket powered motorcycle
Who is your favorite living architect?
Farshid Moussavi
Who is your favorite dead architect?
Oscar Niemeyer
How would you describe the personality of your practice?
Doesn't take itself too seriously
What is your practice's main weakness?
Not getting into project management proper
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?
A puzzle
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?
Opacity
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?
Varied life experiences, big picture thinking
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?
Overly technical, narrow minded, inarticulate
What is your favorite type of project to work on?
Urban, community
What does architectural happiness mean?
Longevity in usage and adaption to continue usage
What does architectural misery mean?
Demolition
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?
The desert
What is your favorite color?
Blue
What is your favorite flower?
Bonsai
What is your favorite bird?
Griffin
Who is your favorite poet?
Lauryn Hill
Who is your favorite artist?
Kehinde Wiley
When do you lie?
When necessary
What power would to most like to have?
Time travel
What architectural strategies do you most overuse?
Axon
How would you like to die?
Skydiving
How did I miss this thread originally?!
It's never too late to fill in, don't be shy :)
Took a crack, though I felt I had to take a broader reading to some prompts, not being an architect or architectural professional myself.
Who is your favorite living architect?
Moshe Safdie with Yona Friedman following closely behind.
Who is your favorite dead architect?
Oscar Niemeyer and I am sad to say, W. Alsop.
How would you describe the personality of your practice?
Aggressively commercial with the ability to do good when the opportunity presents itself.
What is your practice's main weakness?
Too much rope given to junior staff without sufficient oversight, No adhesion to drafting or office standards, Blind faith by the principles when an applicant claims they are a 10 in Revit.
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?
How the mundane but necessary parts are dealt with.
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?
wood grain (or other material) prints on composite panels.
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?
Their ability to hold a pleasant discussion on subjects other than design
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?
Adhesion to arbitrary rules as excuse for "style"
What is your favorite type of project to work on?
Commercial, Institutional, Academic, Assembly, Office... basically anything but residential.
What does architectural happiness mean?
Seeing a project go from sketch to completion with minimal molestation
What does architectural misery mean?
Discussing colour theory with interior designers
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?
Sub-Arctic
What is your favorite color?
Red
What is your favorite flower?
I've never thought about that before. I'd say a tulip
What is your favorite bird?
digitus-medius
Who is your favorite poet?
Eddie Vedder
Who is your favorite artist?
Cezanne, Rothko, Alsop
When do you lie?
When I don't like you and need to move on to other things
What power would to most like to have?
the power of patience when I'm surrounded by idiots
What architectural strategies do you most overuse?
Asking the interwebs for advice
How would you like to die?
Alone and lost in the wilderness
Who is your favorite living architect?
Continue to be consistently impressed by the work of Steven Holl Architects.
Who is your favorite dead architect?
Walter Gropius, as my visit to Gropius House illuminated how even a rational “Modern” home can be/feel personal and intimate.
How would you describe the personality of your practice?
Youthful and loud.
What is your practice's main weakness?
Lack of discipline, preference for comfortable routine.
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?
Accessible, porosity.
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?
Selfishness
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?
Sensitivity
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?
Ego
What is your favorite type of project to work on?
Inspirational and/or challenging.
What does architectural happiness mean?
Getting it right.
What does architectural misery mean?
Value-engineering and/or change orders.
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?
The future.
What is your favorite color?
Blue
What is your favorite flower?
Super excited about the finally, sprouting Mirabilis multiflora I planted last fall.
What is your favorite bird?
Woodpecker
Who is your favorite poet?
Matsuo Bashō
Who is your favorite artist?
Currently really digging, Chiura Obata and artists highlighted in “Ode to the Sea: Art From Guantánamo Bay.”
When do you lie?
Instinctively, when put on the spot.
What power would you most like to have?
Prophecy
What architectural strategies do you most overuse?
Intellectualizing and post-rationalization.
How would you like to die?
Quietly and content.
Who is your favorite living architect?
Steven Holl. The Hamsunsenteret is by far my favorite building ever.
Who is your favorite dead architect?
Eero Saarinen. He was responsible for shaping my hometown (along with J.Irwin Miller)
How would you describe the personality of your practice?
Current office: laid back and kind of quiet. My home office: Metal up your ass.
What is your practice's main weakness?
Mine, since I rarely do side stuff - wanting to paint instead of doing projects on the side.
What is the trait that you appreciate most in a building?
Didactic, honesty in materiality
What is the trait that you deplore most in a building?
Bad acoustics (especially since I lost half the hearing in my right ear and wear a hearing aid now)
What is the trait that you most appreciate in an architect?
Intuition
What is the trait that you most deplore in an architect?
Ego (stealing your answer Nam)
What is your favorite type of project to work on?
Anything with a civic impact that helps people
What does architectural happiness mean?
Creating a cohesive whole that is beautiful, honest, didactic out of all the layers of stuff we have to account for in a building.
What does architectural misery mean?
Dealing with a bad GC. The good ones are worth their weight in gold.
Where would you most like to build (where you haven't already)?
Columbus, Indiana. I learned a lot about architecture just by experiencing the buildings growing up. I'd love to get some work in Columbus and hopefully inspire someone.
What is your favorite color?
Orange
What is your favorite flower?
Hell if I know. Tree on the other hand - Birch
What is your favorite bird?
Don't have one.
Who is your favorite poet?
Rainer Maria Rilke
Who is your favorite artist?
Caspar David Friedrich GOAT. Trying to get to that level of atmosphere in my paintings. Richter, Fearnley also on the list.
When do you lie?
Honestly, dates mainly. I'm disconnected from popular culture and the stuff I'm interested in only goes so far here in Chicago.
What power would you most like to have?
The power to always get my way.
What architectural strategies do you most overuse?
Post-rationalization, sculptural window openings (not in day to day practice)
How would you like to die?
Surrounded by nature.
Jinx re: Holl as well! :D