Auld Lang Syne….

Reflections - Paris, 1999

Sitting here on the eve of the new year, I am recalling a similar time some 35 years ago – to the day.  It was December 31, 1973, and I was a young architect, 28 years of age getting ready to embark on an exciting adventure – entering private practice.  It’s strange how there is a lot which I cannot recall during those years since, yet I remember so clearly that particular day.  It had been raining in Atlanta for, what seemed like weeks.  And, that day was no exception.  It happened to be my last day of work with the firm of Welton Beckett Associates, Architects and plans were set to ring in the new year with some friends that evening.  There was a new movie out, Papillon, which we were going to see at a theater in Buckhead.  Looking back, it is interesting the subtle connection of the events of that day, the rain, the movie, and the sheer emotion of excitement and fear all bound up into one.

A similar time, the beginning of a severe recession loomed heavy, and not having any project to dive into, made for a difficult start.  The first project I landed was to design a city park for the City of Rockmart, GA.  It was a thrilling first opportunity, yet contained only a pool bathhouse, planned for a later stage of the park development.  Shortly thereafter, I was selected to design the renovation of an existing aged metal building in Peachtree City, GA.  I guess I would say that was my very first completed architectural commission.

Peachtree City Building - Before

Peachtree City Building - After

Over the years since that time, I have had extraordinary opportunities with many clients who have entrusted me with the challenge of translating their dreams into successful architecture.  Just recently, I spent the better part of a day organizing the many tubes of drawings and sketches I created during those thirty five years.  It brought back so many memories – some buildings I had completely forgotten about – of clients, employees, the design processes, the elation of seeing each project grow from the ground to completion, and then to see the human interaction, as a result.  It is interesting to me that only good memories flooded my mind, and only now, writing this blog, can I recall the difficult times, revisions, tight budgets, unreasonable deadlines, and “all-nighters”, not to mention the fact that nearly all of the drawings were created completely by hand in pencil and ink.  Now in the digital era, we draw with bits and bytes.

Hand Sketch - Concept

The End Result

For me the design process still begins with loosely drawn sketches – lots of them – from which many ideas emerge.  There is something about the spontaneity in the movement of pen on paper (sometimes a cocktail napkin), the connectivity of the mind, eyes, and hand.

There are many meanings to the words Auld Lang Syne, but my favorite is remembering the good times.  I love what I do!

Best wishes to all for a new year of peace and prosperity.

For I raise a cup of kindness yet, For Auld Lang Syne