Edward Wimmer

Principal

Architecture has been a passion of mine since I was a child, but I didn’t always know it by that name.

My surroundings were something of which I was always aware. Encouraged by some ability in drawing and other illustrative arts, combined fascination of how things work and are fit together became a part of me.

Toward the end of my high school studies, I was aware that problem solving didn’t just happen but was the result of a process. Enrollment as a student of architecture occurred when I discovered that the process of architecture was what interested most. As study became doing as an apprentice to licensed architects, it became clearer what made some places better than others. It is a definable process of achieving a balance between being useful and having a design that inspired others to enjoy and be comfortable within.

How to understand that process and practice was vague until becoming fully involved in that process through my post-graduation apprenticeships. That time gave practical experience, and lessons learned, to discover that architecture, though in many ways is an art, is ruled by scientific reasons and constraints, along with practical matters related to spatial and physical realities that can define building as to what looks good. However, architecture is never fully created until built by many people and paid for by available financial resources, both of which can diminish a pristine design concept.

It did not take long to learn that architecture, like orchestral music and dance, is an art in that nearly always is created by the effort of many people with special talents, concerns and agendas. How well the project succeeds depends on how well the participants perform. High performance requires a sound PLAN that is constantly monitored with sensitive, consistent management and guidance.

All projects have constraints: site and climate, financial, regulatory, functional, and schedule, just to name a few. All have needs that are either natural to the project, or of the project owner. All projects will achieve some level of quality — high or low — either by intent or lack thereof. How constraints and Need are balanced and given precedence determines QUALITY.

Organization of all projects is unique to each project. There is always a structure of decision making and implementation. The way in which decisions are made depends on UNDERSTANDING; the Design Professionals understanding Owner’s needs and vision; and, the Owner understanding the project constraints and value of well designed environments. The building Contractor’s business needs must be understood by Owner and Design Professionals, and the Contractor must understand those of the Owner’s and the Design Professionals. Respect, careful listening, and clear communication is essential for understanding by all parties.

Maintaining the balance of the QUALITY, UNDERSTANDING NEED, and a solid PLAN to follow is the essence of architecture and that is what fuels my passion for architecture.