Loudoun losing It's Brain Power

Well as far as my home goes I have a standing offer on it anytime I want to sell and my assessment hardly went down this year as the other homes I designed in my neighborhood and most others took an 40,000 to an 100,000 hit. Whether that is a fluke or not I will find out but the standing offer is still there. I did have it appraised arms length last fall by someone I do not know and it appraised far above the assessed value. Another words it is holding it's value thru the downturn.

So good design does pay and it cost hardly anymore to build then bad design. My point is people like to live and work and drive to work in beautiful places whether they are conscious of it or not. There is no reason we can't have it all here both the industrial and beautiful developments with some real thought to where they are placed or screened. You all moved to the beautiful broadlands because whether you admit it or not it is a beautiful place to live in the location you need to live.

Lee j

 

When I opened up the forum and saw the thread name, I didn't even have to see who started it! Lee, I appreciate your passion for architecture and beautiful space. Your gloom and doom perspective on everything gets exhausting, though. It's never as bad as you think (or as good as I optimistically do!).

 

let's vote for Lee to get his own category- we could call it "The Dumbing Down of Loudoun Design"... come on admins- cut the rest of us some slack!!!

 

I think, and this reflects an optimistic view, that Lee may have something positive to say in about 336 days, 17 hours, 32 minutes, and 30 seconds.

 

Or we can call "The World According to Lee" Or

"We Are All Doomed - Love Lee"

 

Does this mean I can't come to the happy hour on Thursday

 

Lee--

Since you are on the "Funny Farm Forum" today--how about visiting us on our "Real and Working Funny Farm" with 6 kids, hubby, livestock, etc.--you are welcome--Neighbor! There is plenty of work for all!

Have a good week--

Foodie

 

Thanks Foodie!!! My dads parents, my grandparents had a farm when I was growing up. And my dad comes from a family of six kids, I come from a family of six kids and Dalyn comes from an family of six kids and we only had two kids which at times seemed like two too many ha ha ha ha

So I would feel right at home with all those kids and farm animals.

Lee j

 

Lee we're holding a, uhhhh- "special" happy hour for you on FRIDAY... everyone else's is on Thursday! lol

kidding of course- anyone who has met Lee KNOWS he reserves D & G (doom and gloom) for forum talk. at happy hour- he's a wonderful positive and sweet being to talk to! don't take my word for it- come out Thursday to Callaloo and see for yourself!!!

 

Lee, your arguments are the definition of myopic and ignorant (not you, just the arguments you try to make.)
I won't even bother explaining, because you won't read it anyways....just carry on with your commenting.
I just find it hilarious how you accuse me of only caring about Broadlands and not the county. When we started talking, I was absolutely amazed at how little you actually know about the county, zoning regs, planning process, roads, etc.
You take the information you are given, turn around and start proclaiming it as your own ideas, then accuse those you learn it all from as being "myopic" and "not concerned" about the county.
You are truly amazing in how you operate.
Sheesh.

 

Well I will put it this way how many projects have you designed and built in Loudoun County. Taken an idea truned that into a sketch then construction documents including all the engineering including the site engineering. Then went through the county review and approval process. Then actually built the project working with all the county inspectors from beginning to end. Then after people moved in had to make sure they were pleased.

Until you have actually put your neck and money on the line and have gone thru the entire process from idea to after finished I don't think you have much credibility in what you say.

I rest my case. Go thru the entire process Cliff and maybe you would have some credibility. And I have done this in many parts of the planet, not just here. People pay me a lot of money for my ideas.

Lee j

 

Lee--

"Y'all" sure enough welcome--another "Southernism"--

Foodie

 

I think that Lee longs for the days of the Roman Empire, when buildings were works of art!

 

Because you have designed and HAD (not you) some houses built you think it makes you more knowledgable or that it means you care more about the county?

for someone who professes to love Loudoun county more than any other human on earth, you sure do breate her often enough.

Honestly Lee, your posts make it seem that if you are not involved with or if your opinions are not taken into account, the project (or whatever it is) is "visual pollution".

As much as you belittle other architects work in LoCo, I would LOVE to hear what other architects have to say about your projects.

 

First T8 I am not belittling anyones work. What I am saying many many projects are poorly placed in the landscape. Most of what I talk about is not design or real architecture. They are engineered industrial buildings of mostly windowless massive walls of concrete or masonry. Just because you are an architect does not mean you are creative most architects are not designers they just crank out work to make a buck. And those architects would be first to admit that. Example, the through the years we have had several street of dreams. (you don't see them anymore) Where are group of different builders put up models on the same street and they are open to the public for a month or so. Then there are awards from everything from best design to peoples choice. We always ran away with the peoples choice award even tho my peers most of the time rarely gave us first in the other categories. So what does that tell you ???? I would rather have the peoples choice award anyday then my peers voting us first in the other categories. That means the true critics the public loved our designs and was willing to pay a premium for them. When I was in the school of architecture one of the first lessons I learned from my design professor was never become friends with other architects or designers. First they don't give you work and second they will always try to put you down to make themselves look good. Good and Great Design is a very ego driven profession. And the ultimate reward is when the public loves what you designed not your peers. I only have a few architect friends and they are very famous and they rarely if ever do any designs in the DC area. I am just a little fish in a big pond. But I do know good design and great land planning as I see much of what is being done in the world either in person when I can but spend a tremendous amount of time researching the finest developments on the planet and why they are so good. I am constantly learning and I am extremely design orientated. I considered myself an designer and planner not someone who cranks out work for an living. I am very sensitive what you see not only from within the development but what you see from every conceivable angle from any adjoining property or development both close and afar. That comes into play before the first sketch is even put to paper. Studying the site not matter how small or large for the absolute best placement and design from within and from outside the property. All is important.

I could care less what other architects think. My greatest pleasure is the client that pays me and the adjoining property owners that must look at what I designed and it works and blends with their project also.

That the problem with our armchair planners in this county on many a time they don't have the large vision and many architects don't either. I am an designer not an Architect.

 

Lee, that reminds me. You never answered my previous question. You have repeatedly condemned HCA for moving into an area where people could afford to pay for their services, and recommended that they move to where they cannot make a profit. You have said that equality is our goal.

Since you are paid a lot of money for your ideas, are you also willing to move to a poor area and/or donate your time to design homes for poor people? Just wanted to know if you are willing to do what you demand of others.

I look forward to your response.

 

First I am not going into the hospital thing right now and I am still neutral. I am taking a wait and see on what happens in the court case and beyond for any further comment or ideas. I will say they should build an massing model of the entire site with proposed build out and that sneaky woods they are leaving uncommitted so they can expand far beyond their original vision. They are not fooling me with their games. ANyway the massing model including the all the surrounding property including the homes and toll road and homes beyond the toll road, so the public can see what they really are building. Give me the plans and I will build the model for them. And I am serious. THat way you can see exactly the impact of this hospital, are they going to do that most likely not because then the public can truly see what they are building and the impact on the surrounding area.




I have donated many hours days weeks months etc back in texas designing homes for people that could not afford it. I love doing that stuff Silence Dogood the opportunity has never arisen here perhaps because of the wealth of the area. If you have something in mind let me know I would be more then happy to do that kind of work and my services are totally free to the less fortunate. I wish I was wealthy enough to be able to desing and build those kinds of projects full time. Nothing like home ownership to give people pride and hope that they are Gods children just like all of us including the more fortunate.

I don't know why T8 and Cliff seem to get on this hate campaign and try belittling me when we all together can make this county even an more wonderful place to live. Personally when it comes down to it they are the real downers because they don't see the bigger picture many a time. I do say many wonderful things about the architecture in Loudoun, but those developments are not the problem it is the eyesores that and misplaced and sited developments that need the attention to make Loudoun beautiful. The beautiful developments speak for them selves. I am in the problem solving business and I just use good design and good design for the projects neighbors to solve the problems. Too many people just let things go and say well too bad but nothing can be done about it. I say what can we do to make it a win win for everyone even projects that have been poorly designed and built there are always economical solutions to make them a good neighbor even after they are built. Better to do it before but even after nothing is impossible.

 

Good point, Lee! I love the wisdom in your posts.

 

Nice dodge to try to get around the question. What you are really saying is that you want other businesses to operate without thought to making a profit, but YOU are not willing to do so. You want others to guarantee "equality," but you aren't willing to give up some of "yours." You want others to give up their own money, but you aren't willing to do so. That's fine as that is what most politicians and liberals do--they want everyone else to make the sacrifices and to give up their money, just not themselves.

Just glad we know where you stand, Lee! And, no, I don't feel sorry for you because T8erman and Cliff hold you accountable for all your rantings (like I just did above). You bring that on yourself, ha ha ha ha ha.

 

Anytime Gryphon and Lee are joined together and use the word "wisdom," I will happily be on the opposite side of that argument