Both of our sons have replaced the clutch in their vehicles. Max replaced the clutch and flywheel in his truck, image above, in which we see the transmission being lowered. And Hans replaced the clutch in his car about 2 years ago.
The similiarities include:
-they did the work solo
-they did it on the floor of the garage where they live
-both are Naval officers
You might say, what? What does THAT have to do with your provision of architectural services? Well, keep in mind that AVA is a family operation. Quite possibly, there is some family DNA in play.
In the office, we try to be hands on as much as is practical. We still construct study models by hand, with chipboard, an X-acto, and Elmer’s glue. We draw, by hand, sketches. We go out and record, physically, with a tape measure, the existing structures that we are working on. A materials library is maintained which explain how structures are made, and how materials work together.
As our kids were growing up, they saw us doing this hands on work. Every day after school they would spread their homework out on the conference table and then get to work. And there Teresa and I would be, constructing yet another study model variant. Or producing a hand sketch.
Did our hands on work habits rub off? We like to think so. We’re obviously proud of them for having the resourcefulness to attempt, and successfully complete, a mechanical repair of this magnitude. And then, to come full circle, their work ethos inspires us to push our hands on ethos further.
