Doug Scott – From Architecture to Graphic Design

Doug Scott

Image courtesy of Doug Scott

One would often assume that a UNL College of Architecture graduate would pursue a career in architecture, but we recently discovered a graduate from 1971, whose career took an interesting and notable turn. After graduation, Douglass Scott started in the traditional practice of architecture, but quickly saw his gift in graphic design. Through his 45-year career as a graphic artist, creative director and esteemed educator at numerous east coast universities, he’s developed an incredible portfolio. We asked him to share his distinguished resume with us. Continue reading →

Live

by Bruce Carpenter

College World Series, TD Ameritrade Park. Photo copyright HDR.

Live

Full of life; at the moment of its happening

Architecture creates space for people to interact.

Even as we move to a virtual society, one thing that will never be replaced is the “live” experience. A unique connection occurs between people when they interact in real life; it gives rise to an energy that is life, that cannot be replicated.

A live performance is special because it fosters a shared energy and connection between the performer(s) and the patrons, also between the patrons themselves. Architecture shapes the experience by making it more intimate or more engaging. Whether the performance is music, theater, or a sporting event, the design can enhance the experience. Continue reading →

The Power of Sketching

by Ken West

Sketching can be rough or very detailed, but it is nearly always powerful

The following was originally written by Mark Brim, AIA, LEED AP, a Design Leader at DLR Group in Omaha, and shared internally with the company.

When was the last time you picked up a pencil to draw? That question, and my own love of sketching, recently led me to read Paolo Belardi’s excellent book, Why Architects Still Draw. In it, he points out that: “Sketching is a quick, readily available, dense, self-generative, and, above all, extraordinarily communicative notational system” that’s a “precious tool for all human activities that deal with creativity.” That’s an idea that I can get behind 100%.

Since we began adopting CAD in the 80s and 90s, we designers have been using an endless series of digital tools to create, compose, and ultimately produce our deliverables. And now more than ever our emerging designers are often doing their design thinking through mice and software. But hand-drawn sketches can work so much more powerfully than other methods of communication. Sketching is human and tactile; it opens doors to ideas that you might not have come up with otherwise; and it lends itself to connection and memory.

Continue reading →

AFN 2014 AIA Lincoln Architects’ Home Tour Update

by Jenni Felton

The 2014 Architects’ Home Tour, sponsored by the Architectural Foundation of Nebraska and AIA Lincoln, was held Sunday, September 21, 2014. This year’s Tour was a huge success!

Thank you to all the home owners, architects, sponsors, and volunteers, without whom the Tour could not happen. Our Home Team planning committee worked very hard beginning in the spring to make sure the Tour would feature wonderful homes and go smoothly. We had a lot of great publicity, including a wonderful article in the Lincoln Journal Star and interviews on local TV stations KLKN channel 8 and KOLN/KGIN channels 10/11.

It was very exciting to see crowds of people excited about architecture and these beautiful homes, and overhear comments from visitors. My favorite comment was, “This house is a poem.”

The next scheduled tour will be held in the fall of 2016. You can go to the 2014 Home Tour website, or view the Journal Star article (page 1) and (page 2).

Distinguished Commitment to Architecture

by Larry Jacobsen

In 2009, former Architectural Foundation of Nebraska (AFN) President Bryce Hastings, AIA recommended the AFN create an award to recognize individuals outside the profession of architecture for their activities and accomplishments in the areas of professional life, which have notably contributed to the advancement of architecture.

One often thinks of the client as being the one who may inspire an architect to greatness in design. However, there are others who bring unique skills and processes that can challenge, motivate and shift the paradigms to architectural significance.

The Distinguished Commitment to Architecture Award has now been conferred to three individuals since 2010 – Connie Spellman of Omaha, James P. Abel of Lincoln, and Larry Glazier of Grand Island. Three individuals with three very different abilities to improve the built environment and quality of architecture.

Connie Spellman, 2010 Distinguished Commitment to Architecture Award Recipient

Connie Spellman (2010) – the founding director of Omaha By Design, a civic planning organization dedicated to the development, implementation and monitoring of urban design and environmental public policy in Omaha’s metro area.

Jim Abel, 2012 Distinguished Commitment to Architecture Award Recipient

Jim Abel (2012) – has used his imagination to recognize the potential of certain innovative development projects in key locations in and around Lincoln that would be visually pleasing and functionally sound. These high quality projects help make the City of Lincoln an attractive location for new families and businesses.

Larry Glazier, 2014 Distinguished Commitment to Architecture Award Recipient

Larry Glazier (2014) –for Central Community College, Glazier’svision was a document that would guide the college in sustainable and manageable building and program growth. The effect of his vision for creating a new image for the aging campuses can easily be seen on each campus today. He encouraged the architects on every project to think beyond the apparent problem and always design for the bigger picture and long term viability.

These three distinguished individuals are representative of the quality and significant diversity of leaders that will continue to “push the envelope” of architectural and environmental influence in Nebraska. Looking forward, it will be exciting to see the next biennial of those who are nominees for the Distinguished Commitment to Architecture Award.