Douglas Garofalo, FAIA, has established an internationally renowned practice in Chicago that produces architectural work through buildings, projects, research, and teaching. With projects that vary in scale and location, Garofalo has actively pursued architectural design to include forms of collaboration that cross both geographic boundaries and professional disciplines, extending conventional design practice by taking full advantage of the capacity of electronic media. What inspires him? Jw

When did you decide to become a designer?
Back in High School, after some industrial design/drafting courses.

Where do you do most of your design work?
In the office studio, but also where ever I may have a sketchbook.

Chicago Residence.

Where, or from what, do you get inspiration for your work?
Currently, more from other sources than architecture, such as biology (heavily influenced by my wife's work; science in general, and certain artists).

What part(s) of biology most interest you? Biological structures? Processes?
Both, though the formal properties of biological structures are all about movement and change, therefore processes - they are intimately tied together.

How does science factor into the way that people live in the spaces you design?
I'm not sure it does, at least in terms of how people live... certainly our design work affects the way people live, but "science" itself doesn't do this.


Fireorb fireplace.

What is your favorite part of the design process and why?
Early in the process, because the ideas flow a bit more freely, but also working out these ideas technically.

In your work (residential in particular), do you find that your inspiration meshes well with the dreams and desires of the client?
Not always. Sometimes quite closely, sometimes not. We do not always discuss completely our own inspirations unless a client wants to hear more, or unless we feel a certain need to do so.

Green Bay Residence

How would you label/categorize your work?
Hard question. We try not to, that's for others to decide, rightly or wrongly. We always say "contemporary".

Do you have a signature style? If yes, what are the hallmarks of your style?
No, per above.

Who are your favorite designers and/or architects?
No favorites really... I like successful projects and good thinkers.

What item (PC, pen, etc) can you not do without when you are designing?
We need both [pen and PC]; they, and other techniques play off and each other to advance a project further.

What's next?
I hope some more arts related projects, particularly after the Hyde Park Art Center. We may also be doing some prototype housing in China.

+++

VITAL STATS
Full name: Garofalo Architects, Inc.
Location: Chicago, IL
Size of team: 5
In business since: 1989
Claim to fame projects: Korean Church, Queens, NY/ Markow Residence, Prospect Heights, IL/ Manilow Residence, Spring Prairie, WI/ Nothstine Residence, Green Bay, WI/ Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, IL
Spare time: Drawing

MEDIA FAVES
Favorite website(s): no favorite
What music is on your iPod or radio? everything from Bach to Link Wray
Your favorite magazine(s): no favorite
Last or current book you are reading: A Compendium of American Short Stories, compiled by Nancy Sullivan
Last movie you saw: Nashville, directed by Robert Altman