Your Full Name:
Tracy A. Stone

Tell us about yourself and what you are currently doing/working on exactly?
I studied architecture in the years immediately following the gas crisis of the ’70s, and I focused my time in school on sustainable technologies and what was then termed “solar building” – another term for passive solar architecture.

I am so gratified to see interest in sustainability gaining widespread traction now.  My personal interest is in utilizing sustainability to improve the quality of life for all concerned, and in creating vibrant spaces that engage the user in the processes of light, energy and water.

We are currently working on the first house in the City of Burbank to comply with their Level II Green Building program.  We recently received an “Honorable Mention” for our design for a mobile, off-the-grid artist studio proposal for the Andes Sprouts Competition entitled “GreenHaus”.

If you have a bachelor degree/education background; what is it?
M.Arch from University of Texas at Austin
B.A. in Art History from Cornell University

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Echo Park Residence: Addition and Remodel to Single Family Residence

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Where are you located?
The office is located in a former textile manufacturing building in a small neighborhood in Los Angeles named Elysian Valley.  It is a fascinating area – bordering the LA River and cut off from surrounding areas by a network of freeways.

Over the years it has developed into a strong community with a very proud identity, yet it includes an unusual mix of residential and industrial properties side-by-side.  The industrial properties are attractive to artists, and the area has a vibrant creative community and a yearly “art walk”; the Frogtown Artwalk.

What do you think about the Internet and how it is affecting the visual communication business?
The internet has obviously radically changed the visual communication business….on one hand this is a blessing because it is so easy to shoot off a variety of graphics and text documents to thoroughly explain an idea, on the other hand it is a curse because it is so easy and so immediate!

Clients now expect immediate response, and tend to read/review things quickly and they often miss the nuance.

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Andes Sprouts Competition Entry – mobile artist live/work studio: “GreenHaus”

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Explain your creative process in a project? What are usually the challenges and how you go around it?
I often start a project with a pre-conceived solution based upon my talks with the client, and my impressions/analysis of the site.  I get that out, then challenge myself to come up with at least 3 more possible solutions.  Only then can I evaluate the value of the first one!

The challenges usually arrive when the clients review the solution, select one, then ask for a critical component to be changed.  At this point, I accommodate them if possible.  If the change is impossible to implement without severely compromising the design, then I try to convince them of that value of the original solution.

What would be your strangest assignment you have done? Why so?
We were asked to convert a defunct residential bombshelter into a “batcave” (a garage with secret entry, and secret underground tunnel to the house)!  I think the description says it all

Describe how you feel at the starting of a new project?
The curse of the blank sheet of paper (metaphorically speaking of course, since these days it is more usually the blank computer screen)!  This disappears once you start, but there is always anxiety at the inception!

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Los Angeles North Central Animal Services Center (in conjunction with ChoyAssociates) – First LEED Gold Animal Shelter in US

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How do you see yourself 5 years from now?
In the position to maintain a small office that gets to cherry pick only the best possible work because we are so much in demand!

Could you share any insight for people just entering the field?
Architecture is terrific training for many fields.  If architecture as a career doesn’t work out (and it can be grueling, technical, and confusing), we need good, creative problem solvers in so many arenas.

In fact, many of the most innovative politicians were trained as architects.  It may be possible to have a greater impact on the built environment as an enlightened policy maker or client than as an architect.

Who is the person you look up to in this industry? Why so?
My former boss, Ray Kappe.  He is an immensely talented architect who is also a sterling human being.  Those two qualities don’t often go hand in hand.  He treats the people (and the world) around him with respect, and has created an amazing body of work.

He is also a great educator, who firmly believes in sharing knowledge and ensuring that the next generation of designers is as thoughtful and well-prepared as possible.

How do you overcome creative block?
I take a break, and start to read and to look at anything but architecture.  Inspiration is as likely to come from a poem, or a photo of a ruined hulk in the desert, as from staring at the blank computer screen.

What’s one thing you wish you knew when beginning this passion?
That architecture is as much business as art.

If you have online portfolio (website/awards/credits/client’s showcase), what is the URL?
www.tracystonearchitect.com

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“Stephanie’s House” – restoration and adaptive reuse of historic carriage house

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