Matt Baran
@mattbaran
Followers
5K
Following
18K
Media
3K
Statuses
13K
Not your mom’s architect. But she still loves me. AIA. NCARB. Developer. Owner @baranstudioarch Recovering Professor @USFCA, @UCBerkeley.
OAK, LAX, DTW, LAS
Joined December 2008
In our work we look carefully at context (not just at how the house next door is decorated.). Context for us means a deeper dive into the the extended site. This includes infrastructure, politics, temporality, movement patterns, environmental conditions and currency. Often the
4
0
23
Amazing headline.
“The walls are collapsing, but Californians can’t stop arguing over the wallpaper.”. The San Francisco Chronicle has endorsed SB 79
1
0
14
Quality is more important than superficial ‘style’. The debate between ‘traditional’ and ‘modern’ is a social media red herring. Quality comes in all forms. But that idea doesn’t spark outrage. Achieving the highest quality (of design, construction or otherwise) achievable
2
0
6
I would like to note for @DomastroGP @KenjiCapital and @maxdubler this is an early grab boneless at the (now defunct) bank under the HB Pier.
1
0
3
Whenever I see this photo I’m so amazed with my younger self. It makes me think we should probably learn to see our current selves through the eyes of our older selves. I’m really bad at it.
1
0
17
I will never be convinced that stylistic homogeneity is a benefit, even if ‘everyone’ agrees it’s ‘pretty’. Being exposed to diverse opinions makes people smarter and stronger.
1
0
5
The last image is usually what happens when people try to copy the first image.
The thing I find weird about many "trad architecture" accounts is that they valorize this (which is, to be sure, a good aesthetic):. And then they'll have you think this is bad:. But they actually live like this:. To be sure, I respect anyone who can afford to buy a home in this
1
0
2
Very proud of the haters I’ve earned. Big thanks to you all!.
A promising sign of meaningful work is how many people it angers.
0
0
3
Guy totally ruined the hillside and farm on this one. Why can’t architects just make things that blend in and don’t upset anyone?.
2
0
0
Self certification would mean I could put the time and effort paid to the city to actually strengthen my drawings with only what’s necessary for actual safety, as I would be incentivized by competition and liability exposure. Two things 3rd party plan check does not have.
0
0
1
I’m considering adjusting my plan check phase services to include a fee increase triggered by 3rd party plan check. There is a complete conflict of interest for these companies. They are paid by the comment. More comments adds to their fee, justified in the name of ‘safety’.
Who should eat the cost of needless and excessive plan check revisions?.
6
0
7
3. Life Is a Battle Between Good and Evil. “We’re the good families. Architects and developers are greedy villains.”. Better response:. It’s not good vs evil, it’s competing interests. Stability, housing needs, project math—all valid. The goal isn’t “us vs them,” it’s “all of us
0
0
0
I try to keep in mind that some people just have different ideologies, they aren’t evil. But this makes it sort of difficult.
legit drama happening in the idyllic beach town of Encinitas (birthplace of Vuori and home of Kai Ola sushi and multiple local radio celebrities). -pissed off residents fight back at state by electing a new militantly anti-housing city council.-one of the new surfer bro
1
0
3
Who should eat the cost of needless and excessive plan check revisions?.
2
0
0
3. Life Is a Battle Between Good and Evil. “We’re the good families. Architects and developers are greedy villains.”. Better response:. It’s not good vs evil, it’s competing interests. Stability, housing needs, project math—all valid. The goal isn’t “us vs them,” it’s “all of us
0
0
2
2. Always Trust Your Feelings. “I don’t like that modern facade. It feels wrong, so it is wrong.”. Better response:. Feelings are real but lousy evidence. Every “ugly” building becomes normal over time—brownstones were once mocked as “barracks.” Data—housing, walkability,
1
0
2
The 3 Great Untruths in Architecture and Urbanism. 1. What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Weaker. “If we allow one four-plex, our fragile neighborhood character will shatter.”. Better response:. Neighborhoods aren’t china teacups. They’re living systems. Cities grow stronger by
1
1
5