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Plenty of designers out there do perfectly well cranking out drawings on autopilot – and to be fair, competent ‘production line’ cookie cutter architecture is where the money is – but what really gets me out of bed in the morning and working late into the night is solving interesting problems for interesting people, distilling elegant solutions from amongst the noise of seemingly conflicting requirements.
Let’s face it, I am an architectural geek.
Rather than cultivating my firm handshake and a network of clients on the golf course by day and schmoozing in restaurants and bars by night like I probably should, I would much rather spend any spare time (when I am not with my family) exploring new ideas and technologies, debating philosophy on-line, sketching and day-dreaming about architecture.
While a geeky cerebral focus certainly sharpens the tools, by any normal measure it also makes me a lousy salesperson for an architecture business, where image and charisma are everything. It doesn’t matter how good an architect is, ability means nothing without being well known in the right circles – and getting well known in the right circles requires a lot of networking and dull small talk that I just can’t get excited about… A geek’s dilemma!
For this reason I think it is high time I forget the traditional networking approach (because frankly, I suck at it!), and just try and connect directly with interesting people who have interesting architectural problems, in my own way – online. A sort of ‘internet dating’ process for architecture.
So here goes…
Tall, dark and handsome ** architect seeking meaningful connection with cool and interesting clients, with cool and interesting design projects.
Enjoys long walks on the beach, romantic and evocative design that tugs at the heart as much as the head, and cosy nights in front of the CAD monitor. Gets unaccountably excited about new and elegant solutions to knotty problems.
My ideal collaborators should have an appreciation for design, and ‘get’ what a difference it can make in their lives.
Hopefully they will also have a few ideas of their own, and enjoy working together to see them evolved, distilled, and brought to life.
They should have a challenging brief that I can really get my teeth into, and be just about as excited as I am about the whole thing!
(** well, tall anyway)
Paul King
Use lateral thinking to exploit the spatial and sculptural possibilities of compact but well crafted and elegant forms. Work with rather than against the terrain, leveraging unexpected opportunities
Forge a strong connection with nature, a serene oasis, even while positively engaging with and enhancing a vibrant urban environment (yes, this really is possible, right in the city
Design with integrated and responsive 3D visuals and written outcomes, to get hard to please tenants, investors and other stakeholders on board.
Exploit emerging technologies in prefabrication, 3D printing, self sufficient green energy systems etc.
Achieve a vibrant mixture of commercial and residential activities on the same site, without compromising either
Build in flexibility to accommodate the accelerating rate of change in building use patterns and servicing.
Design to reflect your artistic and aesthetic sensitivity, spirituality, environmental views and lifestyle aspirations, without compromising practicality
Accommodate elegantly what might otherwise dominate and diminish your experience. For example make best use of the sun, while protecting from the prevailing wind and nosy neighbours.
Maximising resale value while minimising cost – a lot easier if the design is good
Go ahead, make my day …
If I have learned one thing as an Architect and freelancer, working for many good architectural practices over the years, it is that I love a challenge. Bring me something juicy that others might find ‘too hard’, and I am hooked.
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