Column: Artful Living by Design

Talkin' about the alchemy of space

By: Lisa Samuel
Published online: Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Appeared in: Home, Santa Fe Real Estate Guide
Edition: January 2012 Vol. 14 No. 10

Architecture is truly one of my loves! From a very early age I have marveled at it. Reference books were extremely limited in my childhood home, but we had a Bible, a set of 30-year-old World Book encyclopedias, and a dictionary.

Each of these extraordinary books had something mentioning architecture: the Parthenon in Greece or the Taj Mahal — incredible! Often I filled lonely hours reading and looking at the encyclopedias or reading the dictionary to pass time. I learned so much and became enamored with architecture in general. I knew then that the art of creating was what I would do somehow.

Growing up in Santa Fe in the Sixties, the architecture that I was most familiar with was of course Pueblo style and Territorial style. However there were some unfamiliar gems that attracted my eye: spots of Greek Revival-style homes and the very Romanesque St. Francis Cathedral. This made my world much bigger and expanded my limited architectural vocabulary.

My personal favorite style in Santa Fe is Territorial; it is so romantic and lends itself well to both modern and traditional furnishings.

I have had the opportunity and delight to work with many talented architects in Santa Fe. I had the pleasure to interview one of Santa Fe’s great architects: Wayne Lloyd of Lloyd and Associates, especially for this article. Thank you Wayne!

• What has been your most favorite project and why?

The “classic” answer is always the “next project.” I would have to say it is the Eldorado Hotel for a number of reasons. First, I had only been licensed for a year and half and had never done a hotel before. Second, I was doing it for one of the largest New York developers, who entrusted me with one of the largest projects in the state (for that year) in the heart of downtown Santa Fe. This of course required Historic Design Review approval which I obtained unanimous approval on the first meeting. The office was very busy at the time so we had to hire a dozen people to complete the project within the scheduled time frame.

• Why is architecture special to you?

It’s all about creativity. Attorneys work with people resolving conflict or disputes; doctors work with people curing sicknesses and pain; architects work with people who want to create something new and wonderful.

• When did you know that architecture is what you would do?

Long before I knew what architecture was. My grandfather built barns in central Pennsylvania (where I grew up, fifth of eight children on a dairy farm). As a boy of five I watched him build barns and I knew then that when I grew up I’d be involved in buildings.

• Who is the most inspirational architect to you and why?

Santigo Calatrava from Valencia, Spain. I was in Spain five years ago as one of three U.S. firms competing in a design competition in the Costa del Sol and visited Valencia and toured Calatrava’s “Arts and Science” complex. Not all of the buildings were complete but those that we toured were fantastically creative in their form and structural repetition.

• What is your favorite building in the whole world and why?

I would have to say the Chrysler Building in New York City; it was built during a depressed economy, yet the Art Deco (my favorite style) design was not only important but has stood the test of time. I think most people immediately recognize it and its city.

Lisa Samuel ASID, IIDA is a Santa Fe native and is owner/president of Samuel Design Group, located in the Railyard Artyard lofts. She is an award-winning interior designer (licensed interior designer #313), a lighting designer, and furniture designer.