Walking around Nationals Park on opening day with HOK Sport Project Architect Joe Spear was a special experience. He gave us a thorough tour of the public spaces, but, to him, it was obviously another walk-through, checking details.
At one point, he observed that the massive project had crossed from construction project to living building, just as the day’s baseball fans were starting to swarm, in a highly controlled way, through the security checkpoints. (Having President Bush throw out the first pitch on the opening day of a new ballpark, with ingress of 40,000 people, was definitely an issue of its own that day—Secret Service agents and officers were everywhere.)
There were two or three out-of-place details that particularly concerned Joe, and, toward the end of the tour, it was apparent he had important things to tend to. We thanked him, shook hands, and he hurried off. Lo and behold, on a later sweep of the by-then-crowded park, we notice those details attended to.
Coincidence? Maybe. But with so much that was right, there is also so much that can be wrong in the eyes of a creator who knows that God is in the details. Indeed, is a project ever complete?
Comments (3)
No the project is never complete
Why ask questions related to articles on the pretense of seeking comment where week after week there is nothing provocative to speak to?
Have you noticed the total lack of participation in the last several weeks?
Posted by Terry L. Walker, AIA | April 11, 2008 3:27 PM
Posted on April 11, 2008 15:27
I've actually noticed the lack of participation for a lot longer than the last several weeks. So instead of trying to provoke, I thought I'd try just offering random observations.
I'm getting the idea that blogging is an extravert's medium, and the majority of our audience are not extraverts--with some notable exceptions, of course.
I would certainly welcome submissions on provocative topics: dgordon@aia.org
Posted by Doug Gordon | April 11, 2008 3:38 PM
Posted on April 11, 2008 15:38
This is an excellent reminder to me to back off, relax, and enjoy when I finally have opportunity to walk thru a completed project. For all you experienced architects out there, remember how important it is to include ALL the team in walk-thrus and/or openings if possible. Those of us new to the field can greatly benefit from seeing our work first-hand, even if it is just a small detail. Share some of the glory and you will inspire a new generation of colleagues.
Posted by Marjorie Serrano, Assoc. AIA | April 14, 2008 2:45 PM
Posted on April 14, 2008 14:45