If you sampled many of our pages, you'll see that I have the longest resume. That is because, frankly (besides Tony, Barbara and Jannie), I'm the oldest (and have the least amount of hair). Reading it reminds me of all the significant accomplishments that I have professionally achieved. My partner, Scott, and our gang of creative collaborators consistently protest my attempts to "over-achieve" and my insistence on near-perfection. Despite their disapproving looks, they stay the course, we achieve the improbable and, in the end, they too are proud of what we do each and every day. At the core of my drive is a notorious "mid-western Lutheran work ethic." If you haven't met one of us before, we have never learned how to "just relax" and we learned at an early age to look disapprovingly on idle time (you know, "the devil's playground"). So, for me to just lie about on the beach is a real challenge. Therefore I always seek easier challenges that involve dust and sweat. When not working professionally, my evenings, weekends, and holidays have always been filled with projects, large and small. My folks taught me to teach myself any needed skill and to attempt anything, so I have. I've rebuilt auto engines, fixed antique clocks, remodeled many houses, including the full restoration of our circa 1870's Victorian townhouse, and am now about 3/4 through the restoration of our 1959 wooden cabin cruiser.

The running joke with my children, Hannah, Berkley, Kristin* and Brad, is that I've had a table saw in my living rooms for more years than I haven't (it is now properly parked in my workshop).
*and three grandchildren, Parker, Spencer, and Liana Kristina

But hard work and motivation alone didn't get me to where we are today. One has to believe in destiny or even the existence of a larger Grand Plan that must have a pre-charted course for our lives.

27 years ago, I was coerced into designing a stage set for a community theater in Deer Isle, Maine (an island where I lived for 4 years). The assignment included, unbeknownst to me at the time, building them, painting them, being the rigger and then running the stage crew. The next year, I also dabbled in lighting and helped with costumes. The third year, I stepped in front of the curtain and attempted to dance and sing. My singing was OK: my dancing was pathetic (and still is). From this humble beginning, 20 shows and 27 years ago, I began a professional career that now specializes in design for the performing arts. And because of this specialization, I met my near perfect wife Celeste (former Marketing and PR Director at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts).

But, back to destiny. In high school, 1967 to be exact, I dreamed of becoming a naval architect. And while I had never seen an ocean, and this is an odd dream for a country kid from Illinois, at the age of 16, I built a 33 foot long houseboat. Though the steering often failed, and she never exceeded 2 or 3 knots (running downstream), it didn't sink. I became an architect instead. So, here I am, having come full circle, and my dreams of building boats ("ships" I've been taught to say) have merged with my passion for theater design. Some story, huh? Mere coincidence? You decide.

I love what we do. Each day is filled with creative challenge and a great deal of comic relief. Come join us in the fun.

Scott (the architect formerly known as "Willy")

sign:
type:
beer:
tool:
tree:
hero:

Gemini
Cat
Single malt scotch
Roller-ball white-out
Climbing & treehouse trees
Buzz Lightyear