When and why did you decide to become an architect? I took drafting and art classes in high school and really enjoyed them. My teacher inspired me to work my hardest at drawing and mechanical drawing. I remember the day when my teacher told the class that none of us would probably ever become architects. I never got a chance to thank him for inspiring me and tell him that I proved him wrong. What is your favorite architectural style? Did any architect inspire you? I can’t say I have a favorite style because every project we take on is one-ofa-kind. We work in so many different environments that we feel responsible to design and build to fit the location and respect the surroundings and environment. I didn’t fully appreciate Frank Lloyd Wright when I studied him in college, but the more years in my practice, I realized how really unique and forward-thinking he was, not that I want to copy his style, but I do appreciate his design approach and his variety of work. I also appreciate Greene and Greene, an architectural firm established by brothers Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mather Greene in the early 20th century. The brothers were very talented craftsmen. Tell us about your university education and any certifications you might have. I received a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Idaho. When I attended architectural school, it was a five-year program for a bachelor’s degree. I’m also a registered and licensed architect in 15 different states. Some of those states recognized my certificate but I had to take additional tests in Hawaii, California and New Mexico. What prompted you to start McLaughlin & Associates Architects? After passing the architectural exam, some of my mentors said, “You should open your own office.” That got me thinking, and one day I said to myself, “Why not?” At that time, you had to apprentice under a licensed architect to qualify for taking the architectural licensing exam. I apprenticed with an architect in Sun Valley for three years, then I took the test, and when I was notified that I passed, I opened my own firm. Your company has been creating and designing for 40+ years; what do you think is the number one thing that has contributed to your company’s longevity? I’ve been very blessed. I have one client whom I designed six homes for — he kept me busy for over 25 years. Word-ofmouth has been a factor as well. The first house we designed in Hawaii generated a lot of work — people saw that home and they liked the way we approached the architecture, so that led to many more homes. We designed a home in Costa Rica for a German couple that had previously stayed at Blanket Bay Lodge in New Zealand and they found us from there. We have had several other people who stayed at the lodge as well who sought us out to do work in various locations all over the U.S. fortunately, word-of-mouth makes up almost 60% of our work. How does running a business influence your creative outlook and vice versa? I’ve been very fortunate, we’ve had great projects and great clients, and I haven’t needed to be as focused on business as I have been on results. If you have a happy client, then it all comes together.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODQxMjUw