A concrete knee wall is born.

There are few things more exciting than the process of construction. Yes, the design process is, for me, the source of most of my joy. But, truth be told, when a project leaps from the page to the physical world, it's like a  dream become reality. I was never one for dwelling on the, "It only matters when it's built.". But I do love me a good concrete pour! And today I got just that!
Trillium Brewing Company, a project I have been working on for over a year is being built. Yes, brick and mortar, or in today's case, concrete and rebar, BUILT!
It is just a little knee wall, drawn to accurate detail on paper. And today it was made real, and out of concrete! Exhilarating!!

NOTE: Concrete is the substance that most people refer to as cement.
TRICK OF THE TRADE: Cement is a component in concrete, along with sand and water...if you want to be in-the-know about construction, always refer to it as concrete...and never, ever as cement!
Horay concrete!!

Dinner with the students.

Dinner with a Professor was such fun! The students were attentive and most importantly, laughed at all my jokes...in short, it was wonderful!

Thank you all who came.

Spring Revamp

We are having a blast here at the studio making videos! Spring is here and the Arnold Arboretum was the perfect setting for our latest one. It's on MAKEGOODstudio.com so you must check it out!

...and don't miss our new lookbook pages. CLICK HERE TO SEE!!!

Today: Dinner with a Professor (ME!)

I'm honored and thrilled to have been asked by the architecture student's at Wentworth to give a talk about my life and career. Yesterday, as Charles and I had lunch (amazing turkey and brie sandwiches from City Feed and Supply!) we collected images spanning my five years of education and subsequent 12 years of professional work. When I was done, I scrolled through my presentation, meant to capture what I have accomplished these last years, and I had a realization. I have done a lot.
I am one of those people that always feels like there is more to do, more to explore, more to learn. But for that moment I felt like standing still just for a second to enjoy it.

So this evening after studio at 5:30 I hope to see you there! Here is a peak at what I'll be talking about.

Upcoming Apperences

MAKE.GOOD s t u d i o is thrilled to be appart of the following upcoming events!! This Saturday, Susana will be apart of a panel of women entrepreneurs at the Women at Wentworth Event. 

Also Wentworth Architecture Club; WAC is hosing a dinner with Susana next week on Wednesday!!

A weekend at MassMoCA

A few weeks ago I drove west to Mass MoCA, the mill turned modern art museum in the Berkshires. It is a pilgrimage I had taken before, eight years ago. After that amazing trip I promised myself I would do it again, yearly, on the same weekend. Eight years later I hadn't yet returned.
So when I arrived on a cloudy Saturday afternoon at the Porches Inn, the worker's housing turned contemporary bed and breakfast that sits in the shadow of the enormous mill building of the museum,  I remembered why I had wanted to return.

There is something erie and beautiful about this place. It's past is still palpable in it's present. The mountains surrounding the small town, the historic mill buildings with their juxtaposed modern content, the slow pace of life, all feel beautiful yet out of place somehow.

As I settled in, however, the strangeness dissipated and the quiet was a welcome change from the city. The next day, in the sunshine, I explored the museum. For three and a half hours I poured over the inspiring art and architecture.

I eventually found my way to the Sol LeWitt exhibit. I didn't know much about LeWitt's work, but as I explored the endless galleries of his wall drawings I fell in love. The simple beauty of hand drawn lines on a wall spoke to my own training and sensibility as an architect. Room after room the complex constructions pulled me in and I was hooked.

LeWitt's philosophy about art is fascinating. A series of instructions describe the way each piece is created by a draftsman. Each time the "art" is made anew and therefore slightly different than it's previous incarnation. The draftsman has a hand in the process of creating and the sacredness of the work of art lies in it's accessibility an impermanence.

I plan to return to this strangely magical place next year...as I had always said I would. After this trip, I felt inspired and renewed. I wanted to create, to make, to even attempt my own LeWitt wall drawing...Maybe I will do just that and become a part of this amazing process of creating.

The new TUNIC is here!

It has been unseasonably warm lately and thoughts of warm beaches and big hats have take over here at the studio. So today we made the perfect tunic! Throw it on over a teeny bikini for the beach or a pair of cigarette pants for the farmer's market it's ideal for any occasion.

Made of crisp white linen and royal blue piping, you will wear this piece all summer long with our new summer Beach BAG Tote! 

 Where would you were your White Linen Tunic?...we want to know.

Behind the Scenes Look

If you ever wonder what goes on at MAKE.GOOD studio what Charles and I do in our free moments between projects... Enjoy!

NOLA Alternative Spring Break

Wentworth Institute of Technology goes on Alternative Spring break to New Orleans to rebuild a home lost during Katrina. 

We arrived in NOLA to warmth and sunshine and a free day to explore the French Quarter! All smiles and excitement, the day was all about fun before we got to the serious work the next day. (the entire group in the photo below...except Filipe...where is he?)

And then we got right to work! Everyone was enthusiastic to help our homeowner Marty who talked about the story of his family and their long history in New Orleans. 

Aidan and Zach tackled the clean up after we pulled up flooring that had sat underwater for months after Katrina.

Braedon, Anzia, Britney, Jamie, Zach and Taylor salvaged bricks destined for the dumpster. Marty's father built the house with bricks that had been made by slaves.

Everyone in The Van! There was lots of music from our favorite radio station, Voodoo 104.1...and a little napping on our way from place to place.

 Filipe and Zach pulling up hardwood floor.

When we finished our work at Marty's home we had a ceremonial tree planting. Each of us added a bit of new earth to the ground and planted our baby blood orange tree.

On our last day in NOLA we worked with Green Light New Orleans. This organization swaps out inefficient incandescent light bulbs for energy saving CFL's. We went door to door delivering and changing bulbs and educating the community about energy efficiency. It was an amazing experience to be in people's homes and hear their stories.

It was an amazing experience for everyone. New Orleans left an impression on us all, that no matter how devastating and hard life is, when a community comes together to help one another, anything is possible. There is still so much to do in New Orleans. Nearly six years after hurricane Katrina there are still thousands of homes that need to be rebuilt and many families that need our help. I hope to return someday soon and do it all over again.

Raffle in the s t u d i o

As you know we recently had an open studio. We would like to thank our friends at r68m and Mckissock Construction for donating their efforts to our Raffle for the students who will be participating in Alternative Spring Break!
We raised over 400 dollars for the trip to New Orleans, where students led by Susana will be rebuilding homes.

Charles choosing the first winner!!Julie won the r68m blanket!!Rebecca won 4 hours of Construction Instruction!!

Lances wife loves the clutches and her new tote!!

Thanks everyone for Coming out!!