There was another one I loved that I can’t find — I thought it was you who posted it. It was from an architect who used to work for Frank Lloyd Wright, but he has his own studio (in Chicago?). He was responding to an aspiring architect, taking about how he organized his day. It was so full of practical advice.
I remember that one! I'll find it. Hang on. [Edited to add the text of the letter...]
Dear Richard Crews:
I am sorry to be delayed these few days in answering your letter of Dec. 21st but I shall hasten and do it before the new year.
Of course, you would be more interested in what an architect does in a day's work in normal times, than now. So if you will excuse the liberty I shall make the discussion, or at least the answer, on what an architect should do in a day's work.
An architect should, unless it is impossible, answer his mail the first thing in the morning. Then his mind is free to plan and design upon the problems of his clients. He goes to work planning from within outward just as truly as from the ground upward. There are very few real architects who get big jobs because it is only the politician who gets big jobs, and the politician never has time to be an architect. So by all means the architect should learn to do small jobs well, because of the very fact that if he is sincere he shall probably never get big ones.
The architect should always remember that Jesus was an architect and that to be entitled to the same name he should love truth and beauty above all else.
An architect is too busy to bother much about luncheon. A sandwich at noon is enough. He draws or builds models most of the day because that is an aid to his imagination. Imagination is the only quality that is creative.
Above all else the artist must not copy. Imitate nothing except principle. That is best understood by reading such as Henry Thoreau's "Walden" and of the lives of great people.
A real architect like a good man in any business does not waste any time whatever doing things of which he might be ashamed. He must above all be a sincere artist.
I congratulate you upon your choice and sincerely wish you much strength and happiness. Make no compromise from that which you know is right.
Sincerely yours,
[Signed, 'Charles Morgan, Chicago Associate of Frank Lloyd Wright.']
I read these three at least once a year.
There was another one I loved that I can’t find — I thought it was you who posted it. It was from an architect who used to work for Frank Lloyd Wright, but he has his own studio (in Chicago?). He was responding to an aspiring architect, taking about how he organized his day. It was so full of practical advice.
I remember that one! I'll find it. Hang on. [Edited to add the text of the letter...]
Dear Richard Crews:
I am sorry to be delayed these few days in answering your letter of Dec. 21st but I shall hasten and do it before the new year.
Of course, you would be more interested in what an architect does in a day's work in normal times, than now. So if you will excuse the liberty I shall make the discussion, or at least the answer, on what an architect should do in a day's work.
An architect should, unless it is impossible, answer his mail the first thing in the morning. Then his mind is free to plan and design upon the problems of his clients. He goes to work planning from within outward just as truly as from the ground upward. There are very few real architects who get big jobs because it is only the politician who gets big jobs, and the politician never has time to be an architect. So by all means the architect should learn to do small jobs well, because of the very fact that if he is sincere he shall probably never get big ones.
The architect should always remember that Jesus was an architect and that to be entitled to the same name he should love truth and beauty above all else.
An architect is too busy to bother much about luncheon. A sandwich at noon is enough. He draws or builds models most of the day because that is an aid to his imagination. Imagination is the only quality that is creative.
Above all else the artist must not copy. Imitate nothing except principle. That is best understood by reading such as Henry Thoreau's "Walden" and of the lives of great people.
A real architect like a good man in any business does not waste any time whatever doing things of which he might be ashamed. He must above all be a sincere artist.
I congratulate you upon your choice and sincerely wish you much strength and happiness. Make no compromise from that which you know is right.
Sincerely yours,
[Signed, 'Charles Morgan, Chicago Associate of Frank Lloyd Wright.']
December 30, 1931
CLM-M
Thank you!! That’s it!