We have begun to move forward again. As we (Teresa & Virginia) take stock of the firm, and the body of work it has produced, we continue to be secure in the conviction that the architecture we want to design, and which makes the most sense to us, is that which prioritizes natural light, ease & enjoyment of use, and practicality or value.
In the past weeks, we have heard from many clients how much their light and windows continue to make them think of Kurt. Living in their homes for years, they came to realize he was justified in many of the design decisions he pushed them towards. (He would be completely thrilled to hear he was right!)
Some of the basic design principles of those projects form the foundation of any truly good space, and are therefore indispensable to the way architecture affects the health and order, both mental and physical, of its inhabitants.
A few weeks ago Teresa had the opportunity to visit the offices of the very first client Altonview had over 25 years ago. She was able to see that the principles we’ve come to embrace, first implemented there, continue to perform. The space has taken modification well according to their changing needs, and one employee volunteered how much he loves coming to work there.
This is the goal – to make the spaces we help create as enjoyable to inhabit as possible. We know the firm will be a little different now, as Kurt’s influence will not be felt as strongly. However the ability to provide our clients, and by extension the greater community, with better space, is the driving factor behind my initial decision to work with my parents for the last 2.5 years, and my resolve to continue the firm now.
No design ethos has ever commanded my respect and imagination as much as the type we envision here – beautiful, value oriented, practical, and yet truly good.