#294 - GREG WARNER, Principal and Founder of Walker Warner Architects
SUMMARY
This week Architect Greg Warner, Principal and Founder of Walker Warner Architects joins David and Marina of FAME Architecture & Design to discuss growing up in Hawaii and its influence on his professional career; co-founding his office and its growth; working in Hawaii; the responsibilities of a principal and the importance of leadership; his philosophy and approach to projects; and more. Enjoy!
ABOUT GREG
Greg’s interest in contextually appropriate design was greatly influenced while growing up in the Hawaiian Islands where climate and environment have a great impact on design. He further developed his expertise in contextual design while attending the University of Oregon, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1983. Early in his career, Greg worked for several Bay Area firms gaining experience in both residential and commercial design before co-founding Walker Warner Architects in 1989 with Brooks Walker.
Greg does not work in a singular design approach, but rather he is versatile and adaptive to the unique environment of each project. His forward-looking approach incorporates a modernist point-of-view imbued with warmth and texture. He also attributes his sensitivity to context and site to agrarian buildings that shaped his appreciation of architecture within rural settings.
He finds inspiration from architect Vladimir Ossipoff, who is best known for his works in Hawaii, including the Hawai’i Preparatory Academy, which Greg attended as a young boy. Greg contributes his early interest in architecture to his time spent at the Academy.
As an alumnus of the University of Oregon, Greg actively supports the school by participating in lecture programs and other activities. Greg’s community service has included a pro bono assignment to create a new health center and storm shelter for Oceania Community Health in Micronesia. Greg is also working on efforts to restore Vladimir Ossipoff’s Davies Chapel which is part of the Hawai’i Preparatory Academy and one of the key influential buildings that shaped Greg’s approach to site responsive architecture that is enduring. Outside of architecture, Greg pursues his love for the outdoors with activities ranging from fly fishing to participating in triathlons. Greg has two children and currently resides in Lafayette, California with his wife.
HIGHLIGHTS
TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) Growing up in Hawaii
(06:00) Developing an interest in architecture
(18:41) Post graduation and co-founding Walker Warner Architects
(31:21) Greg’s working partnership with Brooks
(36:38) Design processes within the office
“If you think about drawing a window and taking the time to draw your lines from one corner to the other, your thinking process is very different than picking a window from a [computer program] menu. It's a powerful thing to move quickly, but sometimes that's not always the best. It's not a “right or wrong”. It's just being aware of, in the art of architecture, what it takes to get to the best solution.” (40:07)
(54:00) Office growth
(01:01:46) Working in Hawaii
(01:16:50) Design philosophy
“[Being an architect is similar] to those food shows where all the chefs lineup and the clock has an hour or so. You look into the pantry, there’s a whole bunch of great ingredients, and you try to make something out of them for the main dish. that's kind of what we do. We seek out really good clients and good ingredients. Then we try to figure out what it is we want to make.” (01:21:00)
(01:30:11) Running a practice and the leadership roles
“When I was in school, I was like, “Oh my gosh, you're the professor of that studio!” [I felt I couldn’t] get near them because the intimidation factor, for me… It's the same old thing [in an office, but as a principal,] you have to think the other way. It's my responsibility to be say to folks in the office, whether they're new or have been there a long time, that this is who I am or, “How are you doing?”” (01:31:39)
“There is that undescribed chemistry or unplanned circumstantial way that you see something or say something that doesn't translate in Zoom or anything. The sooner we get back to that, the better. It doesn't mean that we'd have to be there all the time like we were, but in the creative world of how we do things, I think it's really important. Particularly the earlier-in-their-career folks who just don't have the opportunity to be side by side with senior-level or experienced people… there's a big question mark in that regard, as to what they're losing out on as much as anything. Again, that gets back to the responsibility of leaders and being in the office. (01:33:39)
