Mission

Design Statement: (a brief definition of Architecture)

Architecture is like music – it has the potential to transport the human, provide joy and rise above the mundane. It utilizes the same basic elements - structure, composition, melody, rhythm and harmony.

We all experience the world through our senses – smell, sound, touch, taste and sight. It is common ground that unites us.

The feeling of a place, the interaction of humans within a built structure and how people use their senses to navigate are experiential elements that bring a space to life. A built space also interacts with elements of the natural world, such as light, wind, rain, gravity, site, etc. The ephemeral experience of space through the activation by people and the mediation between the continually changing elements of the natural world is where the hidden beauty of architecture lies.

Design Mission: (why Alaska?)

There is a ton of potential.

We live in one of the most beautiful natural environments but unfortunately our built environment is far from inspiring, often poorly built and generally under-nourishing. It frequently causes extreme sensory deprivation.

Our built environment should capitalize and be informed by the specifics of place. It should compliment its beautiful surroundings, respect the uniqueness and attributes of the ever-changing natural environment.

We Alaskans are acutely aware of our natural environment because it plays a huge role in our lives. We are primed to become as equally aware of our built environment and the objects we choose to play a supporting role in our everyday. Our community has a latent potential to be one that allows design to flourish. We can exploit, tap into and use to our advantage our unique set of extreme conditions through design to shape our community.