Why Lazarus?

I believe that as we travel the path of our lives, we become different people. It is inevitable. Our experiences dictate that we evolve, adapt, and transform to the input we receive as we travel the course of our lives. We cannot throw the temper tantrums we did on a daily basis when we were 3 or 4 years old because we've learned that tantrums by adults are deemed unacceptable by today's society. We don't play with the toys we used to play with as kids because we have found other avenues of entertainment that stimulate us. This is not to say that the child within all of us is non-existent, but rather buried or entombed by the layers upon layers of stimuli and experiences that have transformed us to who we are today. Some of those experiences, even if positive, can distract or subtly lead us away from that true seed of who we have always wanted to become. I don't know if the biblical Lazarus was literally raised from the dead and that is not the point of this blog. I believe the metaphorical lesson in the Lazarus tale is about discovering our true selves, who we really are and who we honestly want to be. It's about casting off all the roles, habits and stresses that have prohibited us from becoming the best that we can be. It's about finding your true self and the passion that makes you feel truly alive.

I went to college because I loved to design. Cars, houses, advertising logos, etc., you name it. After a total of 5 years worth or architectural education, I graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Looking back, those 5 years were some of the most satisfying years of my life. Why? Because I designed. I ate and drank architecture every waking hour of the day. I designed, presented my designs, and then redesigned in an effort to improve and develop my talents and abilities. I was surrounded by other people that loved the same things I did. We could talk for hours on end about the merits of modern, post modern, organic and deconstructivist architecture. Then, after graduation, I went to work in the architectural profession.

I have worked for really good firms, and for some very talented people. I have truly enjoyed the experience I have gained over 19 years. But I don't design. I assist in the process, and produce the elevations, wall sections, details, etc. that are required for that design to be built. But I don't design. I have played integral roles on teams that have produced high quality architecture. But I don't design and I have come to the realization that I have strayed ever so subtly away from my original passion for design. Partly because I became very good at project management and construction document production. Partly because, quite simply, that seems to be the modus operandi of the typical architects office. Unless you start your own design firm, odds are you will not be producing construction documents for your own design. That's not a critique or opinion, just a simple observation. So be it. I was happy in that role, and will be happy in that role again.

But something is missing. I have designed many private residences on my own and outside of the architectural office. I thoroughly enjoyed those projects because when I was designing those houses, I was right back in the architectural studio at college. It was my ideas and design that I presented to the client, the client responded, and I redesigned with those comments in mind. I always felt just a little bit more alive when I was designing those houses on the side, because I was re-discovering my passion for Architecture and the process of designing.

My goal for this blog is to awaken that passion for design and to raise from the dead the person who was inspired by fantastic and original Architecture.

"Lazarus come out" The dead man came out, bound hand and foot with linen strips, his face wrapped in a cloth. "Untie him," Jesus told them, "and let him go free."
John 11:43-44