Design matters because we live our lives in spaces we create.
Through formal academic accomplishment, nearly two decades of hands-on practice within leading architecture firms, and the privilege to serve clients representing many of the world's leading brands, I have honed my design approach into a proven, repeatable creative process that guides each new project.
Heroku’s developers adopted wabi sabi (侘寂) as their philosophy when coding its cloud computing platform. The idea has ancient roots and embraces the belief that all things are "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.”
Concept
As a designer my first task is to listen to my client's wants and needs while giving thought to spatial, timing, and budget considerations. Then, my challenge is distill, ideate, and synthesize those ambitions and constraints to create an original, compelling concept that will achieve the project's goals as I become my client's champion during the design journey.
Design
After aligning on the final concept, the next step is to begin designing the space to express that vision. This includes sketches, renderings, architectural plans, models, and physical samples that will define the form, function and materiality of the space. As decisions are made, virtually every detail of the space is carefully specified and documented to guide the build-out.
The materiality of a historic brick-and-timber building, and the process of reclaiming and elevating the space for Heroku's team was a natural fit with wabi sabi.
Completing Heroku's space involved coordination with architectural preservationists, government officials, and skilled craftspeople to achieve a common vision.
Formation
With agreement on the concept, design, and budget then execution of the design begins. This may include the demolition, construction, and installation necessary to bring the concept to fruition. As such, this stage involves collaboration and regular communication with various teams, suppliers, artists, and craftsmen to ensure my clients' vision is realized successfully.
The result is a project that becomes an expression of my client's brand, culture, and vision – honoring the personality, traditions, and heritage that make each client unique, while embracing and supporting my client's forward-looking plans and aspirations for the future.