Quentin Dart Parker: International Architect

Abstract

In 1983, he was elected to the board of directors, Alfred Browning Parker, Architects Chartered, in Miami, Florida, with projects including designs for 137 luxury apartments in Miami Shores, commercial retail centers, churches, schools, retail, HUD development, and elderly housing, with a primary focus on the luxury, residential market. First and most important, whether to clients or for discussion, it is the ability to listen. Classic Yachts by Francois Chevalier Miami's Maverick Architect, Alfred Browning Parker by Randolph Henning Eaarth by Bill McKibben Farewell to Reality by Jim Baggott The Bully Pulpit by Doris Kearns Goodwin Away & Beyond by A.E.\n I rejoice in receiving a new client with a very limited budget to design his retirement house in Bloomington, Indiana, in part, because he is a Nepalese monk...I love - cherish - developing his own personal, special meditation spaces.

With over thirty years of professional experience in private practice as a registered architect, Quentin Dart Parker, AIA, operates an architectural office specialized in luxury residential design. His commissions range from mid-sized commercial building development to exclusive, luxury, single family houses. With a majority of ArchWork.com commissions located in Southern California, his focus has been defined by out-of-state commissions from Florida, Vermont, and New York as well as residences in Singapore and Europe. Quentin is N.C.A.R.B. licensed and accredited to practice architecture internationally.

Quentin's design experience, professional ability and architectural knowledge is very broad. His understanding of sustainable architecture is exceptional, from CA permit execution, in design specification, and in built-form construction. In 1990, Quentin was selected as the "1990 Dream House Architect" for L.A. West Magazine. In the late 1980s, he worked as senior Project Manager for Cannell & Chaffin Commercial Interiors, Los Angeles, with administration, construction management, interior design, and tenant space planning duties. He was assigned a resort cottages refurbishment prior to his new startup company, Art Function Inc., for sole proprietor architect services. From 1985 to 1987, he worked as a Senior Project Manager for Terry George Hoffman & Associates in multiple hospitality and medical care office projects. In 1983, he was elected to the board of directors, Alfred Browning Parker, Architects Chartered, in Miami, Florida, with projects including designs for 137 luxury apartments in Miami Shores, commercial retail centers, churches, schools, retail, HUD development, and elderly housing, with a primary focus on the luxury, residential market.

In September 1977, Quentin enrolled at Harvard University, Graduate School of Design, where he was awarded the Master in Architecture postgraduate degree in 1980. He licensed in Florida as a registered architect in 1981. He received his first professional degree, the Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture (m.c.l.), from North Carolina State University in 1976, with high honors, including membership in Phi Eta Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi societies. He is an accomplished speaker for professional education seminars.

Interview

Q1. Life is about stories. Do you have a favorite story you use as an icebreaker?

This really depends upon context. Relating an interviewer to an interviewee is a critical component of the review process, since smiles, intonation, and communicative ability are factors influencing your evaluation. The more they can relate to you, the better their perception becomes. Telling stories is a relevant relational context that more often than not results in better impressions. The more he or she can recall you as a candidate above others, the better your success in the desired outcome.

Q2. What are the top three characteristics that contributed to your success?

First and most important, whether to clients or for discussion, it is the ability to listen. Hearing and understanding are two different criteria. The second most important quality is to relate to the person you are conversing with. Understanding his or her need before you reply is an excellent quality. For instance, I speak to contractors differently than to Building Agency reviewers because their needs are so different. The same applies to my clientele. Often, they do not know the answers, or even the questions to ask. Patience, understanding, and determination will fuel the successful conversation, and results.

Q3. What life-changing events or decisions have guided your career?

The courage of choices made. Life is short. I believe we all have only a one-time goaround. This means we must make best with what we have and be able to risk much to achieve a given desired outcome. Some people indicate we need to follow our dreams. Nonsense, most of this feel-good stuff falls by the wayside because they are dreamers, not realists. I think we all thrive best on challenges, since these determine so much of what we want to win at or how our contribution changes an outcome. Often enough, in my commissions, I have chosen to seek an extreme answer. Sometimes, our clients seek simpler solutions. This doesn't mean that I'm right or that they may be wrong. Every consideration carries certain validity, and the respect you garner in listening offers great satisfactory solutions.

Q4. Tell us of any expressions your parents often repeated with you.

Truth and honesty in your expression. This is the basis of trust, an inherently simple requirement of communicating. My father always believed in building simply with inherent strength. "Elegance is a complex solution stated simply." And finally, he always believed in "getting paid for what you are worth." All too often, I have politely walked away from architectural commissions where the budget was simply disproportionate to the effort required. There was no understanding of the commitment to an appreciated aesthetic. In our realistic world of many architects competing for fewer real commissions, budgetary considerations are often paramount in the decision process. If you do not value your own work, why should your client?

Q5. What is the biggest misconception about how to achieve success?

I believe success is a determination of your personal happiness. It's not about peer recognition, project accolades, or outright fame. Success often is misunderstood by value.

Essentially we are all on this planet to help each other out. As Henry David Thoreau stated: "The greatest gift is of thyself." The people who come to me to design and build a great house first carry an inherent trust in my ability then have joy in the process of designing and constructing a solution, but most of all, my success comes in the recognition of how much we enjoy the process of a building solution - something that is shared.

Q6. What books have you read lately?

I am a voracious reader, and I think my recent list of books will surprise you.

Classic Yachts by Francois Chevalier

Miami's Maverick Architect, Alfred Browning Parker by Randolph Henning

Eaarth by Bill McKibben

Farewell to Reality by Jim Baggott

The Bully Pulpit by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Away & Beyond by A.E. Van Vogt

Vault of the Ages by Poul Anderson

A Fall of Moondust by Arthur C. Clarke

Enchantment by Harold McGrath

Classic Yachts is about maritime architecture, where form and function of sailing boats is explained. Miami's Maverick - I can never learn enough about my father's heritage in architecture. It is a reference I use often. Sustainability is a complex problem, as Bill McKibbon clearly defines. The more we know, the better our choices. Baggott writes about the inherent fallacy of modern theoretical physics, from multiverses to anthropic principles. Nature is simple and direct. String theory, M-branes, and other delusional fairy tale concepts take Metaphysics beyond reality. Teddy Roosevelt was one of my most revered presidents, and Bully Pulpit clearly defines this. The Van Vogt book was a first edition paperback, an original idea long before SF [science fiction] became prominent. Visionary. Same with Anderson's Vault and Clark's Moondust. I love SF because it enhances the creative approach to imagine anything. Finally, McGrath's first edition short stories are about people relationships before 1905. No telephones, faxes, messaging, instant cell access, and internet. Relationships were developed over great lengths of time. Great reads - glad you asked.

Q7. Imagine your phone rings, and it's you from ten years ago. If you only had a minute to talk, what would you say?

There is no such thing as to having too many architectural clients. There is never a challenge that is too great. I rejoice in receiving a new client with a very limited budget to design his retirement house in Bloomington, Indiana, in part, because he is a Nepalese monk...I love - cherish - developing his own personal, special meditation spaces. Reach out socially, in relationships, foster the values of those you know, and offer an appreciation to their contribution in your life. Most of all, don't take anything too seriously - life certainly wishes you should smile often and always make new acquaintances rejoice with you! Who wants to build with me, now?

Q8. What elevator speech would you give children about success in life?

What fun do we want to have today? What do you like to do most, and should n't we get out of this elevator now, find the nearest sandbox, and design some really cool sandcastles? I can't say I know about yours, but my success is in hearing you laugh, having fun, and being excited about sharing a bit of time. Now that's success.

Q9. What is the best advice you've ever received, and who gave it to you?

My mother, as she was convalescing, said to me how much she missed seeing her friends, having dinner together, and sharing their stories. "Death comes all too soon, and we simply do not appreciate or reward our time enough, with what we have..." What I would give to share a few more moments with this amazing woman, who raised six kids, took us to Europe to grow up in astonishing places, from Monte Carlo, to Vevey, to Paris, Frankfurt, and Cologne. People and places - let's all try to connect them in our lives.

Q10. What would you like to see as your life's legacy?

"You use a mirror to see your face. You use works of art to see your soul."

- G.B. Shaw

Louis Kahn built only 12 projects in his lifetime. He started late, at 55, I think. His legacy, like mine, is not in the architecture but in the process we leave behind. My greatest legacy has not been built yet. Yes, I have, perhaps, influenced many people from many different walks of life, but few will be as important as that one last project, the one we never finish. My father was never one to consider retiring. To his last days, he planned on designing and building his next home. If building is fun then designing is the hope for the future. I doubt my legacy is in the architectural projects we create. I believe it is in that which we influence within each other. That I will be missed is not as important as is: "Let's learn from what Quentin provided."

"If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito in the room."

- Dalai Lama

To Cite this Interview

Gringarten, H. (2015, Spring). Quentin Dart Parker, international architect. Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 7(1), 85-89.