So you're anxious to be your own boss ...

So you're anxious to be your own boss ...

Here's a short story for one to consider, on the subject of a sole proprietorship:

My first years in the field of architecture allowed me the experience of working as a general laborer, wheel barrow-ing concrete, mixing mortar and the like. One summer, I became an electrician’s assistant, one year a carpenter, and another year as a general contractor for the design, permitting and building of pre-kindergarten facility. 

The career began very uplifting, full of hard work. I had entered into the profession of architecture thinking that on the warm days this architect would be out in the field working the designs that had been drawn on the boards on the cold days, in the office, before computer aided design and drafting (CADD).

Although that was a great, correct choice, the lifestyle did not last as long as I had hoped. Within a few years the wife and I had the first Sunshine after the Rain child, then another Beloved One child, and then an economic downturn, that led to diminishing the regional economy. Thus came the reason why relocation to a part of the country where there were many of architectural projects redirected to our young family’s community. Entering a different state, ended the plan to work half-time in, half-time out of the doors, due to the nature of business as usual, then. One door opened and led to another door, the opportunities exploded.

A second important desire, of mine, was to be fully computer literate in the coming information age, as I knew the collective future was moving toward this eventuality. 

Yes, a time prior to desktop and laptop and handheld computing, required splitting 40 hours a week standing at the drawing board and sitting in front of huge CRT screens, a digitizing board, while mainframe computing, with 'less than massive' 86 megabyte hard drives, then, and for years to come on other machines.

Out of school for 15 years and a registered architect, I reunited with friends to form an A and E (architecture and engineering) partnership, The enterprise went on about three years until unplanned and uncharacteristic events materialized. So, after an abrupt demise, I thought to myself, ‘ I will have to be very careful if one wants to

be a partner in another firm again.’ 

Ten (10) years passed before the opportunity to work for myself, by myself, with myself, and of course with others beyond the studio, manifest itself.

Imagine the elation to switch to such a rewarding experience as to commute twenty seconds to one’s laptop, on foot, instead of driving oneself an hour in a fossil fuel crazed line of bumper to bumper psychosis. Better to listen to what the birds are saying, than the talking heads on the car radio. Much better for one’s passion to watch the sun stream across the south face of the building one sits, year in and year out, from the springtime with it's red buds on maple tree, turning to yellow seeds and green leaves, on the black bark backdrop, all at the same time, for an evolutionary billion springs on end. 

More inspiring to bring the mind, thoughts for restorative environmental designs, under the canopy of shady summers, colorful autumn's and harsh winters, than the immobile crawling in a thoughtless line of manipulated madness, as is, and remaining today, a midwest majority planned life cycle.

The last decade of this proprietor’s vocation has been the most rewarding, becoming Jack for all trades, or disciplines, as called in the architect’s profession. That being, the Jack, strategizing his plans, estimating the designs he specifies, administering the documents he permits and bids, while wearing hats of an accountant, of an attorney, of an engineer, of a contractor, and known as Jack to none.

The first couple years of the proprietorship were fast and furious, non-stop work, for public and private clients. Three dimensional fly arounds, over and through residential and multi-family projects. Rendered views of many building types Church, School, Store, College Classroom, Office, Court Services, Hospitality, Laboratory, Warehouse, for salt and more inside and out and about. The events of those first solo days were worth pinching myself to make sure this reality wasn’t a pipe dream. 

To be able to wake up and choose the project one wants to work on any given distinct day, was amazing. The deadline of the day needed to be met first, then, that project, then, let’s move this project along. The many projects need for one’s touch all at once, to keep the many clients satisfied, is a far cry from sounds of partners or employers or inventors with squabbles or over assertions or carrots on unreachable sticks.

Then there was a bursting of a bubble.

In my case the analogy was more at balloon busting. It was more like me holding the neck of a balloon, while the mouth makes funny sounds, via escaping air, the balloon deflating, the long sought reality fizzling away. There was work, steady art and commerce, for a goodly time. 

The regular two calls a month, signaled a downturn of work by becoming one call a month, to an unstable telephone call a quarter, to unsustainable “no” calls, month after month. It isn’t true I wasn’t revisiting the business plan, or not strategizing, or not planning or not branding, or not BIMStorming™, because the opposite was the case, just as I continue today.

The cultural conditions, with purposeless economic stagnation, became a larger issue than myself, my calling, my reality. Life’s architectural transfigured work became most difficult to address with my super understanding spouse. Even as I relayed the horror stories I had heard about colleagues, in firms across the nation, and the neighboring cities, support waned, anxiety rose, sex ceased. 

What I learned in the past decade, no matter what road I travel into the future, this solo practice will make me soulfully, emotionally, intellectually, politically and yes, physically the most humble of the strongest architects world wide. Mother Earth does care.

Perhaps the biggest perk, as sole proprietor, is an easy choice. It is the choice to decide to physically exercise each and every day, allowing for harmonic evenness in human living. For in it, the exercise, this activity of and for our most complex of human form, movements and decisions are prioritized. Because of this choice, with or without a chronic disease, I operate at full capacity all waking hours attaining utility wearing the solo architect’s many hats.

Some do and don’ts for professional and proprietor follow.


Our motto remains A*fit or “Architecture forms illuminated truth”.

Do tell the truth. If someone asks not to draw the creek with running water under the building, on the plans, don’t take the commission. If you do, you end the chance of ever realizing your own shingle hanging proudly for the State to see.

Do keep abreast of technological advances in the building materials and science world, as the industry moves extraordinarily slow, it won’t be a difficult task.

If another architect comes to you and says, ‘tell the front office you saw the ad for this job in the NY Times, we can split the signing bonus four ways’, them don’t take the job, become a sole proprietor instead. Not only is bad karma invited into life, you are out the $2K if things go south.

Don’t entertain a prospective client that comes to your studio with bandaged ankle,

carry a poodle, declaring her son is studying at the theological seminary. She will lie in court.

Do realize there are over seven billion others on the planet, and whether or not they know, most all can use at least one of your services.

Do be thankful you answer to yourself, and don’t worry you have no one to demand of you what to do. For instance, writing a story for one to consider.

Michael Scarmack, AIA                  Copyright © 2015 
Scarmack Architecture |:-)

Contact data:
740-503-3004
mcas_8@mac.com
url: http://www.scarmack.com
Skype: mcas_8


Twitter: @earth_architect creating zoetic space for generations in chronos time

Bio

Michael Scarmack's experiences in the field of architecture began with an emphasis on environmental design. He has keenly observed, over the decades, a lack of seriously needed attentiveness of environmental elements, by many in contemporary design, beyond green wash. Scarmack Architecture stresses an accentuation on restorative environmental design. 

Heart ❤️

It is a story of health. 

It started on the 9th day of Christmas in the year two thousand fifteen CE/AD. Heart, is a Christmas story.

The story-teller was quite under the weather for a few days preceding, with a nagging cold. In a flat overlooking the East River, really no incentive presented itself to leave the room on New Year's day, after having returned to the flat, very early, four seventeen in the morning, precisely, once the companion had left for warmer climes, on an airplane. A bit of sleep and recuperation was in order, for the relapsing cough.

On the second day of the new year, the story-teller, began a walk during the early afternoon from the studio flat, with an electronic pedometer in a pocket, seeking coffee, a little bite to eat, and some recommended medicine.

Upon returning to the flat, to recuperate some more, the pedometer, tracking just over two miles, accounted. Later in the day, wanting to attain the daily 5 mile goal, to be logged on the electronic tracker, a food grail was targeted.

Looking for something to eat, a Mexican fare burrito was sought, and was to be found at Pedro’s. The walking distance was 1.6 miles away, in Dumbo near downtown Brooklyn. Mapping out the pedway, an upside down L route emerged, along Furman Street and then onto Front Street, becoming the chosen course. Without getting lost, success was attained in getting to Pedro's. With the burrito prepaid, and in hand, headings for a return course back, for the 3 mile round trip, to the studio flat, via the Brooklyn Bridge Park, commenced.

Near everyone was gone out of the park, as it was after 9:00 PM & 37°, except for some soccer players, on half of a full field, playing a unwaveringly fast game, of seven on seven, players. Sitting there, taking out the all in one meal, watching a most invigorating soccer match, on the pitch, in the park, atop Pier 5 while eating about a half of the portion, restored health seemed imminent.

Ruminating on getting back to continue recuperation, the legs pushed forward, along Furman Street, onto the studio flat. Once settled in, curiosity was aroused, was the 5 miles attained, for the day? Only sudden realization formed, the electronic tracker was missing.  The conclusion closed in, after everything had been scoured in the studio, the device was certainly lost. Then remembering, attention was given the "syncing" feature, on the phone app, the evidence exposed itself. The last synced steps occurred just before eight PM. Recollection of the time at 7:51 PM on the telephone corroborated with visual acuity.

Thus the thinking was certain, the loss was in or near the coffee shop, which had been a stop, on Front Street right at that time. suggesting the mislaying must have occurred when the phone was pulled from a pocket to check the time of return.

In any event, a call to the coffee shop to confirm was in order, but of course the shop was long since closed. Knowing exactly where the device was lost, it was in order to single-mindedly plan to make a trip back, to hopefully find and retrieve the tracker, in the morning.

With a clear head, and purpose, venturing off about 8:15 AM, the 10th day of Christmas, in morning air, the feet set out. Taking the B-61 bus to the end of the line, then across the street, down the stairs, awaiting the F train, and traveling one stop to the York station. Exiting out of the subway tunnel, walking down the street, to see Pedro's restaurant and bar, in the daylight, and making a left onto Front Street, bearings to the coffee shop, were footed.

Ordering some coffee, while asking the attendant if anybody had turned in the an electronic pedometer, after some checking in the lost and found, a negative response came the reply. Buying the drink of coffee, back out to the street, retracing steps continued.

Check the trash cans, right? Stepping to the backside of the store, surely there ...  'it' is to be found, in one of those four trash cans. Debate began however, noting the eyes of 24 hour surveillance might not compute one’s odd rummaging. It was then judged to be less than a sound idea. Thus a decision made, the walk continued, the path traveled previous, pursued, knowing full well the device was lost, within a hundred feet atop that standing point. 

Correct are you, reader, in concluding the device was not found, except the story does not end, quite yet.

A thought materialized, while walking quietly into the park, across unceasing, incessant, BQE roar, call the electronic tracker company. The app’s phone menu helpfully listed, a lost and found category, available.

Telephoning the customer support, then waiting 15 minutes on hold, with noise suppression enabled, a sympathetic voice spoke. Asking some questions, doing some internal tracking of its own, and reporting, the advocate advised the item was eligible for replacement.

Indicating a confirmation was to be sent by email, as a verification that a replacement electronic pedometer was being processed.

Asking the advocate its name, the response returned, Heart.

Know now this, in this story-teller's life, the heart has a special spot, more than symbolic, always as it indeed signifies, " life “. Also, as it happens, the story-teller carries daily a little pouch, with a ‘heart’ embroidered into its body, and heart shaped zipper slider pull tab trailing.

To say elation concluded the phone call is true, it did. 

So thankful that the universe understood this loss. Yet, a knowing emerged greater than this material loss, along the pedway. What is it that comes to mind with the loss of a soul, say a father, or an aunt, or another?  The answered arrived with the speed of light. When life experiences a loss, or a soul seems lost in space-time and space, the message received was simple, Creation understands. 

There then, is the deeper significance in this event of now, a knowing of the unknown, a cosmic convergence became transfigured reality. In this unique moment, on the streets of a city, by the water's edge, seated comfortably in the park, the cloud of unknowing separated, shining clarity, comfort and command.

Earthly citizens will continue to be lost seeking their own purpose, unless their own health is fit. If native and naturalized world occupants are to be stewards of a truly health-filled planet, with very health-minded places, and living in the most healthy of architectural structures, then a home for the body, housing the emotions of intellect, soul and spirit, has a requisite. Unhealthiness untreated, is cause for diseased misery, while, wellness brings restoration, resolve and resurrection. 

The story-teller reached a shared, common, natural point, that one's twelve days of Christmas joy, brings earthlings health for a lifetime & beyond.

Not so fast there Mr. Bordenaro...

Not so fast there Mr. Bordenaro...

From what I can see in the attached link Mr. Kremer has shown some conceptual pretty pictures of something pointing skyward. Pretty pictures are pretty but let's not call this a BIM, let alone a BIMStorm. It is fair to say Wanda Group proposed super tall Chicago skyscraper cries out for a community focused event, one surmises from the article of Aaron Dunlap, and following comments. ( Here's How The New Wanda Supertall Would Change Our Skyline  )

Something of substance and thoughtful biophila, it is just where an honest BIMStorm begins.

Building: not a chance. it's a conceptual sketch with some GE (Google Earth) virtual back-drops;
Information: Alright, it gives me a visual yardstick, but no information, if so I can not find it.
Model: Odd 3D stacked rhomboids, not really a model, of any significance. An electronic version of Lincoln Logs, or Froebel Blocks, or plastic Legos, without the tactile touches, maybe..

BIMStorm: Where is the dust, Where is the dialog, Where are the dimensions, Where are the detes ? I can not say this is a "Storm". First it's not a BIM per se, for all the reasons above and more. And a BIMStorm, it is not, however, it can, if it takes on power, become a BIMStorm.

Let us give credit to Mr. Kremer for creating a sparkling, vision, flashing out of the urban environ, a flashlight of the future. Why not let this spark become a STORM, not of one image, or one perspective, or one solution, yet as a true BIMStorm, that of many voices, many many realities colliding, and the proper, sustaining solution for a millennia !

We bequeath the title of "Master View Maker" upon Mr. Ryan Kremer, acknowledging his zoetic contribution to the initiation of the time to come. Let us allow his initiated work to provide a path from a professional person, of the highest order, but can we Mr. Bordenaro hold off calling this collaged cityscape a BIMStorm ? Just a Food for Thot.

The Men Middle Bit

The Men Middle Bit:  I (Cara Scarmack) wrote this piece in 2013 in my playwriting program at Brooklyn College. My collaborators (Priscilla Holbrook, Cassandra Weston, Katie Proulx, Chris Weston) and I began working on this piece last fall, turning the piece into a performance-in-the-flesh, and we've had the opportunity to present excerpts throughout the year as works-in-progress at Dixon Place and the New Ohio Theatre. We are presenting the full middle movement of this operetta at this juncture because we were selected to present our work as part of a curated summer rental program, whic...

He Don't Own the Sun

Jenny is back with "He Don't Own the Sun"

....end of video has a little surprise ..
I call it the Anti - #Fracking Anthem
Counter Climate Change, share these songs !!

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