think we’re starting to evolve into more of an international architecture. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad, but it seems to be that’s where it’s going. Are there any projects that you are particularly proud of? I like to think that my best project is the last one I did. I hope to continually evolve as an architect and find new ways to be creative and respond to our shifting paradigms. I think if I can feel good about it and the client feels good about it, and more importantly, the public feels good about it, then we have a successful project. In terms of projects that were important to me, one that sticks out is the Stein Erikson Residence because it was a very difficult project to get approved through Park City Planning. It took probably a year and a half to get through the process, and it was painful. Then the recession hit, and it was put on hold for well over a year. Then I got a call from the LA client, who said, “We just negotiated a deal with Stein Erikson Lodge to have them manage the project and use their name. We’re going to start over again. I’ve determined the market’s shifting, and we want this to be much more contemporary than the original design.” I said, “You realize that means we’ve got to go through that whole bloodbath all over again?” He said, “I’m willing to take the chance.” That was a very gutsy move on their part. The challenge was to create something more contemporary when contemporary was not in vogue in Park City. Once they opened the model home, they pre-sold twothirds of the project in about three weeks over the ski season. It was an instant hit. Instead of three phases, suddenly, we had to up our schedule so that it could be built out immediately. About a year later, when it was about half built, I had a phone call from one of the major real estate brokers in Park City. She said, “John, I just had to call you to let you know you’ve ruined the market up here. Since you opened that model, we can’t sell any of the other older products because everybody wants a new contemporary design.” And, of course, now there’s nothing being built in Park City that isn’t contemporary. One of the things we tried to do with every project is have a very different theme to it. I feel very good that John Shirley’s designs don’t look the same. Each project is designed for the client. Several years ago, we had a prospective client come into the office. He was from Atlanta and had a strong Southern accent. I thought he said he was with HDTV. He tells me how he needs this home designed up in Midway and that it will be given away as a prize after a lottery. The entire time he’s talking to me, I’m waiting for him to pitch me on how much it’s going to cost us to do this home for him, for this charity. For some reason, I had to break the conversation for a minute and go into my office. When I walked into it, two of the partners came in and said, “Do you know who that is?” I said, “I don’t know, somebody with some high-definition TV, charitable house or something.” And they said, “No, no. He’s with Home and Garden TV from Atlanta, Georgia. And, you know, they have this very popular TV show.” I didn’t even have cable TV. I had no idea what HGTV was, but I went back in. So, I asked him. “How much is this going to cost us to do your home? Because I guess you’re looking for sponsors.” He said, “Oh, no, no, no. We wouldn’t even allow you to give your fee. It’s going to have to be your full fee because you will not be allowed to be a sponsor.” It turned out that was the most filmed project I’ve ever been part of because they did blogs on various aspects during the construction. It’s not by any means one of our larger projects, but it was definitely the most filmed. Anything you would do differently? There were times when I thought I had gone about the profession wrong. I pretty much charted my own course very early on in my career, which meant that my learning curve was probably different than those who decided to work for a larger firm. It forced me to learn the business aspect quicker than I would have if somebody else were running the business. It was probably the harder route to go, but I don’t regret it. You start off on your own, and all of a sudden, you are the business manager, you are the designer, you are the producer. And you’re also the bill collector. Then there comes a time when you realize if you want to grow, you have to give up some of these responsibilities. I learned very early that just because somebody else would approach a design or a business aspect differently than you would have doesn’t make that a bad thing. In fact, maybe that’s a good thing. I think that was a big turning point in my firm and in my growth in the industry. Any other advice you might have for people starting out in the field? I think, to truly be successful in architecture, you really have to have a passion for this work. As we all know, this is not an eight-to-five job. It can be an all-consuming job. One of the challenges I’ve had over my life in this profession is just trying to find balance. And that’s a learning process that takes years. Are you happy with your career? Yes. Yes. It’s been very fulfilling, and I still have a passion for it. I have a number of friends who are retired and playing golf or this and that. Architecture has been such a big part of my life that trying to just give it all up at once would not be my idea of retirement. To watch the full interview, please scan this QR code: youtu.be/0DFT5dA0-cI 11
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