tailgate the heroes of home interview by andy engel

Nicole Starnes Taylor, architect This former carpenter talks about how having worked in the trades made her a better architect.

Can we start out with a timeline? fortunate to be exposed to all phases What conclusions did you reach? In 1996, I graduated from North of —from jackhammering I think all architects should be required Carolina State University with a degree concrete, to pouring concrete foundation to build as part of their education. Many in environmental in . walls, to framing, to installing trim, and to architects gain this experience through Then I worked for almost five years at doing punch-list work. I was best at trim working on their own homes, myself several architecture firms, where I gained and punch, and while I like framing, I was included. That is valuable, but it does residential and commercial project slow as molasses. not compare to what you can learn from experience. In 2001, I returned to graduate working with the pros. You gain a real How did your work in the field affect school at the University of Washington understanding of deadlines, integration your work as an architect? in Seattle with a strong interest in green of the trades, and standard means and building. In 2004, I received my master After , architectural practice was methods for getting the work done. When of architecture degree. From 2004 to much richer. Those endless lines became you are working on your own home, you 2006, I worked as a carpenter in all objects with weight and unique qualities can spend four hours picking out the phases of construction on residential perfect fastener. In the field, you are part remodel projects. After that, I returned of a larger team with pressures to deliver. to architectural practice to complete the That is a great lesson for an architect and licensing requirements. In 2008, I opened has made me extremely responsive to calls MAKE Design Studio in Seattle. Our from the field. I understand the pressure focus is residential remodels and custom contractors are under and the domino green homes. of subcontractors that get delayed if the architect responds, “I need four days to Why did you spend time as a carpenter? figure this out.” I always enjoyed working with my hands. In school, I sought out architecture As a woman and as an architect, were classes that gave me hands-on building you treated differently on the job site? experience, including studios in sculpture, Strong mentorship is the key to success furniture, and . After in this field. When I applied to work in my first five years in professional construction, I didn’t know any female architectural practice, the gulf between carpenters. It turned out not to be an the world of drawing and actual building issue. I had many excellent female and seemed unnecessarily broad. It seemed male carpenter mentors who taught me fundamental to me that to be a good that I understood intimately and in an the craft of carpentry, and I have immense architect, I needed to understand how entirely new way. I could visualize three- gratitude for those who took the time to to build. It only helped that I was living dimensionally much better, and problem- teach me. Being “the architect” on site in Seattle in a strong economy surrounded solving the details was fun and much easier. periodically brought some ribbing when by amazing craftspeople. The Northwest I developed a new confidence in drawing I met someone new. But even that was has a thriving woodworking tradition a clear line between what was doable fleeting. The bottom line was that I was in and a progressive green-building focus. and what was unnecessary architectural the field to become a better architect, and Seattle seemed like an ideal place to learn gymnastics. I also fundamentally tradespeople’s gripe with architects is that . understood home construction and all of they do not know how to build. There is its systems much better, which has been no better way to address that issue than to What did you do? extremely useful in implementing green- teach the architect when she has her tool In the field, I did everything. When I building strategies in my work. After belt on and is ready to learn. started, I had woodshop experience but carpentry, collaboration with contractors zero field experience. My first few months became fun and more productive. My were full of laborer-type work. I remember design work also became better as a result. For more on Taylor’s work, a lot of digging, moving , I saw firsthand in the field which details are check out her articles at and sleeping very soundly. I was incredibly critical to the eye and which ones are not. FineHomebuilding.com/extras.

100 FINE HOMEBUILDING Illustration: Jacqueline Rogers