looking at three-dimensional architectural solutions. We can talk strategically about how the project fits into the community and how it relates to the environment. We can bring those ideas together more deeply than by just creating some space, spinning it around and looking at it with a computer. I love computers, but I also am afraid of them being used too soon in the design process. It’s amazing seeing how the new talent goes about doing what they do. You can see pretty quickly if a person is able to put themself inside of their idea. Are you inside of the space when we talk about the quality of the space, the dimensions of the space, how the light comes into the space and how you circulate through the space, or are you just seeing that on a piece of paper? There are very few people who are able to put themselves inside of the design and be a part of and wear it. Architects are people who can safely design a building, get up in it and make it function, but a really great piece of architecture inspires people. It says something about society. It says something about the time we live in. It says something about our hopes and aspirations for the future. It’s more than a building. It’s a very sophisticated work of art. It’s hard to come by, and it doesn’t happen every time. Last thoughts? When we started, Utah was a pretty utilitarian place. The first really great building in a long time was the Salt Lake City Library by Moshe Safdie. That building, I think, made us feel good about ourselves and helped us, as a city, realize that we deserve the best architecture. I think it raised the bar. Buildings like that — and the Speed Skating Oval and the Museum of Natural History — are easier to achieve today because we recognize what is good, and we always want to do something better. It’s been fun growing up in a place that has gone through so much change and so much growth. It’s a great place to be an architect. Of course, the other side of architecture is the amount of knowledge and information that goes into every building to get it built and the incredible amount of risk that we take. It’s an incredible production to put up a large, complicated building and have a reasonably good chance that it won’t fall down in an earthquake or somebody is not going to fall off of it. I’m very appreciative of all of the people who have helped me in my career, and I hope that I’ve helped a few others along the way. I’ll probably continue to do what I do until I die. I’m happy that my current partners see value and that I’m able to continue to work. It’s what I really like to do. I’m much happier coming into the office every day and taking on a new challenge. Architecture is a great profession because it really doesn’t have an end to it. You’re not a pilot who can’t land the plane anymore. Maybe we fade out, and our ideas aren’t valid. But I do think critical thinking skills will always be valuable. I’ve had a good career. I think my family is proud of me, and it’s created opportunities for them. Utah Olympic Speed Skating Oval Saint Thomas More Catholic Church 12 REFLEXION
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