DESIGN AWARDS SUBMITTAL v1

It was time.  We took our first step into the world of design awards last week.  It's a funny thing the idea of a design award, which has been discussed about at length by a variety of writers over the years.  (I cannot find any online or I would insert link HERE)  Is it to elevate the profession, ego, marketing opportunities or all of the above?

Well, our first awards adventure comes in the form of the AIA Orange County's Design Awards 2014.  Award submittals are anonymous, so we will refrain from linking directly to our submittal till later.  However, go and check out the submittals.  There are plenty of entries that will stimulate your design sensibilities.  

You may be thinking to yourself, okay... Why did we submit?  And do you think you can win?  So here we go:

1. We are really enjoying what we are doing here in the studio.  We believe in our approach to architecture and want to start sharing it in new avenue streams.  And this is perhaps the premier way for our peers to see what we're doing and HOW we're doing it.  
2. It's rewarding to share and be a contributor in the dialog of architecture.  (parallel with why I teach as well)
3. We are alumni of the most award winning firm in Orange County.  It would be a knock on them if we weren't following in their lead!  Right?  
4. There is plenty to learn about ourselves in the process.  
5. And yes, we do.  In the words of our client, "...get in it to win it :-)"

So, if you've ever wondered if you could hang out with a room full of the best architects around... here's your chance.  Get your ticket to the event and we'd love to enjoy a glass of wine with you.  We'll be the ones dressed to have fun, celebrating all the great work submitted this year!

(And I'll post our submittal after the event along with our lessons learned, there are many.)

CARRIE JOINS THE TEAM!

A couple weeks ago we welcomed an extremely talented interior designer and our long time friend, Carrie Zahradnik to the team!  We cannot say enough about what it means to have Carrie join us, but we'll try...

As part of ITZEN, Carrie brings a keen understanding of the use of color and materials. With a sensitivity to place, color and scale, Ms. Zahradnik, elevates the design of every project she touches. She has extensive experience in space planning, programming, phasing, furniture design, graphics, architectural branding, interior and 3-dimensional renderings.

Passionate about creating the setting of ‘home’, Carrie also works closely with the non-profit, The Imagine Foundation, on a yearly women's shelter remodel project.  

Originally from the Iowa, Carrie graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Iowa State University and became a Certified Interior Designer (CID) in 2008. Having worked in the architecture industry for over 10 years, Carrie has tackled a wide range of project types including: tenant improvements, corporate offices, retail projects, libraries, city halls, community centers, and medical office projects to name a few.  

Before joining ITZEN she worked on both the East and West coast. Most recently Carrie was a Project Designer for the Southern California based LPA Inc. and previously worked for Philadelphia firms KSS Architects and Ballinger Inc.

Notable projects include Princeton University OIT relocation, Chino Hills Government Center, Malibu Library, Park Place Cafe, Pacific Dental Corporate Office, and Hoag Hospital Strategic Plan. 

And lastly, an eloquent quote from Carrie:

        “Space is lived in. I love to make spaces live and breathe to support those who reside or work there.  This is done through thoughtful space planning, material palette and color selection, furniture, artwork/graphics, and unexpected one-of-a-kind solutions that make the environment ‘home’ to the those who inhabit the space.”

ARCHITECTS IN CHICAGO

Once a year, architects from around the country and abroad gather for the AIA Convention.  At the last minute, we joined in the fun and education of ChicAIAgo.  So here's our AIA Convention 2014 - recap:

We were there to primarily learn.  I was lead to believe Pharrell was going to be there (which he wasn't)... but to my surprise there was Theaster Gates.  Awesome.  He inspired us to RE-imagine how spaces are RE-activated how to raise money.  i.e. issue marble etched bonds.  Brilliant.  Thank you Theaster.

Then there are the more technical seminars, but we can talk about energy efficiencies gained by splitting a large floor plate, how you decide to top or bottom support a folding door, or why your proposal cover letter is a bore over an espresso one day.  Not here.

Besides the knowledge shared of knowledge, it’s always great to catch up with friends and colleagues at conference that span the continent..  And doing so on the backdrop of this famous architecture competition was a bonus.  It had been a while since I had hung out with gargoyles.  

Truthfully though, I probably get the most excited by what I get to experience and observe when I travel.  So here's the rest of the Chicago story through the lens of an ITZEN.

What I was really trying to get a glimpse of here is Jeanne Gang Studio's Aqua Tower, but the awesome spire shadow still makes me smile.  

What I think Robert Ivy was trying to say...

And just in case anyone was wondering about Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's Architecture undergrad program receiving a nationally ranking of #1, there was a booth to show off the creative projects being explored on the Central Coast.  It was great meeting Assistant Professor Mark Cabrinha, some of the his past students, and then catching up with Margot McDonald and the always delightful Tom di Santo.  Can't say enough about all that is going on up there.

Jana found a few moments down in the subway.  I find this gesture on the wall tile awesome.  There are times we don't need to be blindsided, we just need the subtle hint, subtle gesture to lead us to what we are looking for.

Light, it tends to come at us from all directions, but does it need to?

How to spot an architect.  

We tend to focus so much on things like adjacency and how that affects property value.  It is reality.  But throw in the juxtaposition of railroad tracks next to the Modern Wing of the Art Institute and you wonder.  Did anyone say "Why are we spending all this money for Renzo Piano to design a bridge with a cantilevered overlook of the railroad tracks?" I mean, I enjoy it.  But..

Always putting Tom Fowler's lessons into practice.

This convention was especially great as it gave some needed quiet moments to look a bit more closely at our business and the image we are portraying. 

One of the unique aspects of ITZEN architects is that we want to be a part of telling your story.  We are passionate about design, design that goes beyond architecture and extends into many different aspects of our daily lives. Well designed spaces create opportunities for interaction, for growing relationships with others. They can create space for quite reflection and productive work. Design can influence our attitudes and set the tone of the atmosphere we are trying to create. Be it in our home, our place of work,  or our place of worship.

The title of our blog is OUR STORY, which is really our client's story interwoven with ours.  Thanks Chicago for the many facets of education we soaked in.

BACK TO NAPA VALLEY

The Napa Valley tugs at the heart of ITZEN.  The spectacular weather and winding roads through vineyards is tough to compare.  Combine the food, wine and our friends in Napa with another project and we are beyond excited to travel.  Here's a montage of our weekend charrette up in the valley...

ITZEN + the AIA

We value the AIA.  There are hundreds of things that as an organization it does on behalf of its members and we want to play our part.  Participation, increases the value.  

Right now, Jana leads the effort when it comes to our office participation.   As Vice President of the Academy for Emerging Professionals AIACC (say that 5 times fast), she is leading our peers from throughout California in focusing on mentorship and licensure.  So what does that mean you may be asking?  Improving the process:
1. Reducing the amount of time it takes to get licensed (without reducing the value).
2. Reinsituting the culture of mentorship within the profession (because somewhere it was misplaced).  

It's cool to see change.  I know when we were going through the process of licensure I couldn't keep track of gripes I had about the process.  But looking back it was probably 5 times better than before our time.  And now we are in a position to participate in making it better for the next generation of architects.  So let's do it.

However, when it comes to mentorship it was never misplaced on me!  I'm not going to name names (lest I don't list them all), but for over 12 years now in the profession I've never lacked multiple mentors.  Even as we have gone out on our own, I can text or call any of them.  And thankfully I've noticed along the journey their value and how I have the opportunity to extend it.  Right from the start of ITZEN, we started an internship program.  And our biggest motivation, mentorship.

KANSAS CITY... 2

Enjoying the company of a friend and colleague the other night, I was raving about a trip we made to Kansas City a couple years back.  3 things summed it up: Rock Chalk Jayhawk (college basketball at it's finest), Bob's Bar (unlisted establishment) and Guy & Mae's (pork ribs).  And afterwards, I realized that I never documented Part 2 of our trip to Kansas City from this past year (unrelated to the above trip/story).  

For me, the architectural education and inspiration imparted on me while traveling is the intangible I am always seeking after.  It involves the people, the weather, the history and food of the place.  All of it has valuable implications on the architecture that we'll see if I can effectively communicate! 

There's so much here in these two buildings.  The aesthetics of post construction demolition, all of a sudden you have a never seen before facade for the Peck's (or Beck's) labeled building. How about the idea of construction cost savings that is intrinsic to density?  One less face to worry about!
And how about the grounding of a building.  Planting it's stake in the ground using big, bold stone and transitioning into smaller scale levels of detail as you rise in elevation.  
And double hung windows are just great.  

Cold and warm materials balanced with some playful color.  Done.
There's a drip edge underneath the concrete beam that we just don't always think about here in Southern California.  The fact that it's hard to see in this photo is a testament to the great detailing and execution.

Sky bridge, sky loft... just don't fill the void.

On Weathering.  
I bet you thought I was going to comment on the fantastically designed and fabricated street sign/security screen.

I pondered the concept of public space after I passed both of these plazas on my walk.  Although both are empty, it was easy to know which one actually gets inhabited by people and which one hasn't seen a person in awhile.  What if both outcomes were the goal?  I don't know.

And to top it all off, Quay Coffee was the perfect office while in Kansas City.  The very polite folks there make an excellent cappuccino and have created a great atmosphere to enjoy (and work in).   

Upon further review, I realized that my first post about Kansas City was lost in the transfer to our latest web platform.  (tears wiped away... ) but GO HERE for my best attempt at re-creating Part 1 in all its enthusiasm.

FROM PEN PAL TO THE PLAYGROUND

A few of us here at the office have pen pals in Ms. Anderson's 4th grade class at Rea Elementary in Costa Mesa, CA.  And while telling one pen pal about life as an architect is cool, why not use our tie to the classroom and start the next generation on a little architectural education!   

So last week Jana spent a morning teaching the young and eager minds about architects, architecture, measuring and then even giving them a design project of their own.  She went bold and started off by asking the question, "What is an architect?".  Then transitioning to much simpler topics like taking measurements and math, but not before talking about some of the other skill sets an architect might employ...that of a scientist, designer, researcher, artist, and problem solver.

And then she went analog... pulling out her triangle and scale.

While it may appear that Jana is complimenting the student on his choice of shoe style and color, this is actually where measurements went practical.  She taught them about measuring their own foot and then using that as a unit of measure.  Never done that yourself?  Well, there you go... have fun.

And, that's how we get to the playground.  After spending time talking about measurements, some simple math and planning, Jana took them outside to talk about a playground.  (And yes, this is Southern California in the Winter)  

We'll see what the students come up with for their playground.  Jana went easy on Ms. Anderson and didn't give them a deadline.  Well, back to that pen pal letter...

photos: Ms. Anderson

ONE MONTH IN... 2014

It's only been a month into 2014!  Or, it's already been a month into 2014!  Either way, this is fun.

STANCE is finishing up and working in the space at the same time.  Pretty incredible to see.

Space planning IN the space is the best kind of collaboration.

Even residences can't shy away from the collaborative white board.

Baltic birch plywood, acoustic panels + DESIGN TEX and some raw steel in the STANCE creative area.

And furniture lists.  Lots of them.  

10 YR EVENT...

We experienced Disneyland like never before a few Tuesday nights ago.  An empty Main Street!  

I've yet to decide if I learn more through architectural photographs with our without people.  On one hand people can be a distraction from viewing the well thought out details and superb craftsmanship.  But on the other, you get the opportunity to observe the human experience.  Can I just get both please?

And photographs are one thing, but how about the real life, in living color, experience?  Having BOTH can be just as rare of an opportunity.

Well, not this time.  With a big thanks to our amigos Bobby and Ben for providing the other half of the Disney phenomenology education.  And if we didn't have friends to see, I think I could have just parked myself on a Main Street bench and observed the details all night long...  

or at least until 2am.

footnotes : Some may be wondering why an architect is telling this snippet of a story that's main subjects are a clothing company and a party at Disneyland.  Inspiration.  Cross pollination and passion are integral to the creative process at ITZEN.  It's about what is observed beyond the obvious.  

SOFT RE-LAUNCH

shhhh.  we're just turning the corner...

feel free to comment below and share you're design acumen!