In a word, architecture is dynamic...it's a composite of many layers, bringing together the Arts, Engineering, Science, History, Psychology and Physiology, to name a few.

Successful architecture utilizes these complex layers to create something that is not only tangible, but necessary - providing security and shelter, and whose forms can range from purely functional to abstract or sculptural, from deliberate to unpredictable. I believe that whether one prefers a traditional style or a more contemporary direction, the design should grow from the contextual roots of the region’s architecture for two reasons:

Climate - To maximize the energy efficiency, architecture has evolved differently in various cultures, mainly in response to different climatic conditions.

Sense of place - A region's architecture, among other factors, defines that culture, and while out-of-the-box thinking is always good, the history and culture of a region should be preserved.

Although it may sound a bit grandiose, I believe architecture is meant to be experienced . What does this mean? When you are inside a Gothic Cathedral, constructed with its heavy stones, it's delicate, soaring proportions, you can't help but feel subdued...humble. When you see the massive walls and fortifications of a Medevial Fortress, you feel the power. When you see the sculptural Pyramids or Mayan Temples, so complex in design yet so simple in form, you are surrounded by a great civilization that once was. When you enter a Japanese Tea Garden or Temple, with their ornate use of wood, interior gardens and framed views, you see a culture in harmony with nature.

These are just a few examples of how one can experience architecture, and while not all of these things come into play on any given project, together they form the current in a continuous stream of thought from which we can draw our inspiration.