Hometown

I grew up in the small historic town of Cumberland, MD, nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. I didn't know it at the time, but this was my lived introduction to the intersection of the natural, built, and social environments.

Inspirations

Early architectural heroes who still resonate with me were Carlo Scarpa, Gaudi, Calatrava, Lewis Tsurumaki Lewis, Lake Flato, and W.G. Clark. Alongside them were graphic design inspiration from Bruce Mau, David Carson, and the brilliant work from Constellation Records. Traveling in Europe for a semester my 4th year in architecture school also profoundly shifted my worldview and understanding of urban space and time. Making that journey with my thesis professor from Virginia Tech, Gene Egger, will always be with me especially every time I pick up a pen to sketch. My first employer in architecture, Jerome Buttrick, was a critical mentor and I’m proud that we still communicate to this day from opposite coasts. On the technical side of architecture, Bob Shuman was an invaluable mentor for how to zoom into the mechanics of how buildings go together and I still often quote him telling me to “think like a rain drop.” As my career pivoted to sustainability, Bill McKibben and my business partner, Scott Kelly, were invaluable instigators for me to follow this path, even when it feels darkest. Along the way, I have been inspired day in and day out by the guiding light of the Living Building Challenge. Learning from the projects that pursue and achieve (or even miss) this aspirational target and the passionate practitioners in that community keep me going. In this strange time of 2025, I currently am feeling inspired by the duality of Thomas Heatherwick’s Humanize movement as well as Ryan Holiday’s daily stoicism practices and teachings.

My most significant inspiration though is my wife, Jill. We have been on a life journey together since our first studio in architecture school and have done much growing up together as partners, parents, architects, and business owners.

Career Advice

As my career has progressed I have realized that embracing and finding the Japanese concept of Ikigai is the one piece of advice I would give anyone, whether or not they are in an architectural field.

Why you do this work?

My life has ebbed and flowed between small towns, the Appalachian Mountains, the West Coast, global cities, and the Wissahickon Valley. I work with purpose at the intersection of the natural and built environments to find solutions so both can thrive.

Currently listening to

- Swapmeet | swapmeetband.bandcamp.com An up and coming band featuring his and hers vocals and some nice 90's grunge elements with a backdrop of shoegaze.
- Little Barrie - Gravity Freeze | littlebarrie.bandcamp.com New album featuring impeccable guitar work by my favorite living guitarist, Barrie Cadogan.
- Shakey Graves - Fondness, Etc. | shakeygraves.bandcamp.com His fantastic ruminative new album is a perfect listen straight through.
- Paul Bergmann - Connecticut Cowboy | paulbergmann.bandcamp.com This album has been a sleeper presence in my listening over the past few months. Something about the simultaneous darkness and light in these songs captivates me.

A quote that keeps you going

"There's a sweetness in clumsy efforts. Stubborn hope always trumps lazy greed and gentle hearts tear vulgar castles down.

Don't be afraid.
Don't be afraid.
Don't be afraid."

-Godspeed You! Black Emperor

Favorite Books

Island by Aldous Huxeley, The End of Nature by Bill McKibben, Massive Change by Bruce Mau, The Medium is The Massage by Marshall McLuhan, Player Piano by Kurt Vonnegut, Humanize by Thomas Heatherwick, The Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan Holiday