A time capsule is a treasure left today for a generation tomorrow.
–It’s insight…
–it’s artifact…
–it’s knowledge…
–it’s history…

All of us either intentionally or inadvertently leaves a footprint for the next generation to follow. If I can’t be here 100 or 200 years from now to share my hope for future architects of the world here’s what I hope they remember…

Dear future architects,

All architects want to live beyond their deaths — Philip Johnson

There’s much I want to share with you, but even more i want you to learn on your own. Study old school architects. Study what we created before you and those before us because we’ve created spectacular solutions but we’ve also made mistakes and you can learn equally well from both.

A doctor can bury his mistakes but an architect can only plant vines — Frank Lloyd Wright

First do no harm. I extracted this excerpt from the Hippocratic (medical) oath but it’s equally relevant to you. You have an immense responsibility to the public and the earth. Every project you create has the potential to enhance or degrade life and the planet. Respect the code designed to protect your owners and occupiers. Create site-specific architecture that partners with the land. Develop built solutions that resuscitate our environment or what I call CPR – conserve, preserve, reserve our natural and man-made resources. Your successes and your mistakes will outlive you.

Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink. — Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Water is your most important resource. Add water collection to your design strategy for every project regardless the scale or purpose. Devise solutions to capture every ounce of rainwater or recycle water and use it for consumption and landscape – preferably some form of vegetable and fruit garden. Your life and future lives depend on it.

Use a picture. It’s worth a thousand words — Arthur Brisbane

Sketch a lot. Sketching is the ultimate communication. Communicating with your client, colleagues, community and contractors is paramount to successful projects. Keep your service “human” because the human element makes architecture real.

That is the reason you go to college, not to make more money, but to gain the knowledge to make this a better world.” — Sambo Mockbee

Continuing education is an opportunity. Always keep learning. Architecture is a practice. We call “Architecture” a practice because each project makes us better. Also the moment you believe you are good you learn a humbling lesson.

Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin — Mother Teresa

Above all else life is short. Do what you love, even if it’s not architecture.

signed,
an old school architect