What really distinguishes us from our competitors is we don’t have a signature style or language—our projects really are a response to the places where they’re built and the people who inform us about what it the building should be.
We feel like this approach truly differentiates us from other firms. We consider each design an original solution that’s based on input from the client, and then on the contextual conditions, at all scales from the smallest unit or detail to the overall expression of the building and its impact on its urban or campus environment. Working on all those scales simultaneously is something we always strive for to create the highest quality product. Our firm’s motto is responsive design. It’s about not coming in to the project with a preconception or a direction about what the project might look like or what it might try to address, but rather it’s about responding to very specific and singular conditions that are in sight.
Overall Design Philosophy – Terry Sargent
I believe in establishing an accurate and legible relationship between architectural structure, material and function that acknowledges the importance of symbolism in contemporary culture. Therefore, projects neither share a common set of physical attributes nor constitute a recognizable style. However, they share an honesty of structure, use of materials and expressed functionality that transcends the selection of material and form. This interplay of vitruvian ideals with contextually appropriate symbolism provides the vital cultural link that ultimately separates mere building from the art of architecture.
Methods of identifying, analyzing, integrating and interpreting design parameters include the user's functional, operational and technical requirements.
In my practice, functional, operational and technical requirements associated with complex projects are accommodated through various established procedures that ensure design and construction quality. The considerable personnel and technological resources of my firm and the skills and knowledge I have accumulated through education and experience allow me the liberty of responding intuitively and confidently to each project.
The specific activities that occur in the process of defining design parameters include data collection; historical context analysis; documentation of the policies, priorities and goals of the client; understanding of the building type and scope the client requires; how much future growth is to be incorporated; and an on-site predesign analysis with all project team representatives to clarify questions or concerns about the project. The project team would then proceed to the production of a facility program with a space validation package for each room in the facility.
Synthesis and interpretation activities follow during schematic design and design development. I have personally found out that a collaborative effort between the design team and the client, balanced by research, observation and introspection, yields the most satisfactory and appropriate means of integrating and interpreting complex project parameters.
