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Gang, tomorrow we have 24 hours to do a complete new scheme for our client in 29 Palms, so we need to build in 3d the sausage building far from the seismic fault line, re-arrange the cottages and of course recreate the existing and addition to the main building, so we can be ready for Showtime at 11:00 am with the City Manager. In addition we need to rework the documentation. You may think that it will be hard to accomplish... I tell you the definition of hard... is running the Likken trail at 100 degrees and running out of water 2 miles before the end, plus twisting an ankle... not to panic was hard... the deadline? a piece of cake!!!!
So, everyone, we need to work as an orchestra tomorrow and make it happen for our client and dash the City Manager with our design skills. Cliff, you'll drive because if I do, we will be an hour late, and then, I have to dash to LAX to pick up my friend Lourdes who is coming to visit and of course to be a nuasance!!!!!!

This is house, designed with great intentions, aspirations and ideals, with our utmost passion for our craft and love for the site and views. All we can hope is that it will be built with the level of integrity it deserves. Hold tight and you'll see a video on You-Tube by the end of next week. It takes a great team of contractors, owner and architect to make it the best it can be. This is just a glimpse of what the project should be.

Wow!!! I am tired, can we rewind the beginning of summer. Just to think what awaits for me and Esc Arc in the Fall, makes my hair stand up!!!! Driving endlessly, two studios to teach, my duties at the AIAIC, Construction Administration and meeting gargantuan deadlines. However, the good news is that Silke Bender is writing an article about the "Linsky-Thomas Residence" in "Archithema Verlag" an architectural mag based in Zurich and exchanging emails with the editor has been a joy.
I only have one wish before the end of the season and that is to be kidnapped by aliens and be removed temporarily from the daily grind. Even my kids, Sofia and Lourdes are appalled at my work ethic, since I have been taking to the office almost daily, Sofia stated "We'll have alot to complain about you to a shrink when we grow up". My reply was, "This is my legacy to you, work hard, fulfilled your childhood dreams, be earnest and the Karma will take care of the rest". At any rate here is a photo that will be published in Archithema, which my friend Chuck Whitaker was kind enough to translate it from German to English. Enjoy and keep the faith!!!!

Experience is what you get when you don't get the job!!!!!
Please check the following video on you-tube and you'll enjoy a part of who we are at Esc Arc. Here is the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB1pHHF_d-U
Enjoy,
The Gang

Today was a very interesting day... like in the good old days, when we were just beginning... lots of grand ideals and commitment to pursue architecture in its pure form without being under the gun. Each one of us was working on a different project, a house in Africa, a pre-school in the desert, a senior center, a library... It was beautiful to see each team member including myself, being oblivious to the outside world, just allowing the synergy flow as if it was in a perfect flowing Mobius strip. Wow!!! Didn't I have a good day? I was so immersed people asked me if I was ok because I was not fidgetting. The only interruption was chewing up Matias for showing up late (he's a kid) and looking out through our floor-to-ceiling glass people strolling in Palm Canyon and the mountains were so alluring they were beckoning me to a quick run!!!! Not this time, I have wised up!!! and for all of you who knew my father, he would have been 65 years old today. Happy Birthday Dad!!! you have been gone for 11 years, and just between you and I, it still feels like the first day, the only difference is that I learned to live without your physical presence but I know you are just there within my reach.
Ana

My friend Alex Meyerhoff and I, along with some other hikers climbed the top of Mt. San Jacinto, 10,898 ft. in altitude. We did it in record speed, averaging 3+ miles per hour, a total of hiked 14+ miles. The final assault required some heavy duty climbing which although scary, (my first time) it was the most exciting part. The summit was crowded with a lot of adventurous people. Touching the very top of the marker felt like we have reached a milestone. The end of the journey was brutal, almost delirious and an out-of-body experience.
Next... Mt. San Gregonio and Whitney before the end of the summer.
The rest of the weekend was filled with peace, contentment and sharing dreams and true friendship. Thanks Alex for making it possible for me to escape the drudgery of daily life... Friends for life that is for sure!!!!