Essay by Bryan Koehn I have always thought of curiosity as something that fuels creativity. Lately, I have begun to wonder if they are actually the same thing. As I begin two new residential projects, I find myself deliberately resisting the urge to sketch. That might sound strange coming from an architect. Designing is what we do. But I am beginning to believe that designing too soon can limit what might be discovered. Before I design, I want to become curious about the people, about the...

Some of my best childhood memories happened outside my home. Not because my home wasn't important, but because it was. It sat in the right place, surrounded by fields, woods, and open space, giving me the freedom to wander. I spent countless hours building forts, exploring nature, and disappearing into my imagination. The outdoors became what many now call a third place: somewhere beyond home and school where curiosity, creativity, and independence could grow. Looking back, I realize the house

What a career eventually teaches you, if you let it A month ago, I wrote a piece called Where I Spend My Time. I wasn’t entirely sure how it would land. It felt personal, maybe too personal. But the response surprised me. Messages from colleagues. A note from someone who said they were going to have their college freshman read it. Conversations that started with I’ve been thinking about what you wrote… and went somewhere I didn’t expect. One of those conversations happened at The Bitter End....