The Monterey Design Conference (MDC) takes place every two years at the Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove, California. It serves as a gathering for architects and designers worldwide to connect, draw inspiration, and exchange knowledge with each other and distinguished speakers. AGD's team recently attended, and below are some reflections shared by our team members about MDC:
Q: What is one thing you learned or will remember from MDC?
Josh: One significant take away for me was in a presentation on timber construction when the speaker (Thomas Robinson, LEVER Architecture) shared a map of the Pacific Northwest tree ecosystem. In this image, the forest sprawled over state and country lines. Contextualizing local materials as something from a similar bio-climate opposed to just drawn from within state lines offered a new insight in what one might consider sustainable and local regarding material.
Bryan: I learned that Public Policy changes (referring to the housing crisis across California) will take a partnership between Academic and Professional expertise. They both offer important insight - but they will need to be allies to create any meaning Policy revisions regarding Zoning and Diverse Development. I am citing the presentation by Dana Cuff.
Tony: I'll remember feeling the energy and enthusiasm of the attendees each day.
Aaron: Scale is a preconceived notion that can be broken. Go Hasegawa's House in Sakuradai broke the idea of scale when he centered the foundation of the house on a large table that acts to connect the program throughout the house.
Ryan: Always question your work and be curious about the work that you do. You’ll create and explore exciting work along the way of finding the answer for that question. Chuck’s quote of fighting for schematics and design development is one to remember for sure.
Troy: MDC was an opportunity to learn from renowned architects not only within the U.S., but essentially from all around the world. This was truly a necessary break from the daily work that we have been doing to listen to a broader body of work and discourse. I find this to be important that we as professionals should be constantly aware of what is happening beyond what we see and feel everyday.
Josebet: Materials have a far greater capability than we know; it simply requires a more thorough exploration to understand how to make marble shine light through it without breaking, or how to make straw bales fire-resistant.
Taylor: Arkin Tilt Architects gave a really interesting presentation on bio-based buildings, and I was super excited to learn about their work in straw bale construction.
Alex: One thing I'll remember from mdc 2024, is that architects need to get more involved with financial institutions and developers. We can be of so much more service and influence if we include financial institutions in our process. A quote that stuck with me was, "GM realized that they could not sell cars unless they financed them".
Was there a project or speaker that you found particularly inspiring?
Josh: The work and design philosophy of Tatiana Bilbao has been an inspiration to me for many years, so the opportunity to hear her speak was a standout experience. Her discussion on the tension between idiosyncrasy and the inherent exclusion found in standardized design was particularly compelling. As the industry pushes always to be more economic, more standard, and more efficient, it was inspiring to see someone advocate for and deliver architecture that celebrates and amplifies character, culture, and humanity.
Bryan: Thomas Robinson for Lever Architects spoke about the need to have an element that is a force for change (however small) in every project they take on.
Tony: Valery Augustin, AIA emerging talent keynote.
Aaron: Emerging Professional Valery Augustin of DNA Architecture + Design gave a very memorable talk on the idea of BOTH//AND...he discussed how he has been in the field for quite a while, seen successes, yet feels like he is ever learning and growing. What I took away from his presentation was that we all want to design beautiful projects but beyond that, the work we do daily matters and can have impact at any scale.
Ryan: Chuck Davis with, “the changing role of an architect nowadays” is an interesting point of view. Marketing is very important to keep the firm known and keep getting projects, but the design will keep clients staying. Go Hasegawa's works were also very inspiring. Minimalist, simple designs, but very thoughtful. I also found his presentation quite interesting by the way he improvised and told the story behind every design.
Troy: Go Hasegawa brought a fresh air into the panel discussion as being the only architect from Asia to be sharing his body of work. Not only was his thought process clear and playful, the methodology of introducing and blending East Asian ideologies with global architecture by Go have brought much compassion and empathy that align with my architectural interests, which stemmed from personal background and upbringing.
Josebet: I found Gordon Huether's statements and presentation during the Integrated Artwork session particularly insightful. I admire the willingness to understand the complexities of projects that address sensitive social topics and the intention to serve the community with the utmost respect and honor.
Taylor: I really enjoyed listening to Valery Augustin (DNA Architecture + Design) and seeing his firm's exciting design approaches to small scale projects. His emphasis on playful and quality design solutions on relatable project typologies was a reminder that all projects have unique design opportunities.
Alex: AI + Architecture was one presentation that caught my interest and kept me wondering "what else? What's next?"
What themes or ideas do you hope to explore further in our own work at AGD?
Josh: MDC is a great place to see and learn about materials and their capabilities. Leaving this conference, I think there is opportunity for AGD to engage some of this new knowledge of material in future projects.
Bryan: The idea referenced in my answer for the previous question is what I am using as a benchmark, both in reflecting on this year - and in my vision for 2025.
Tony: I think a great theme to implement/collaborate with our education clients is the idea of people and place emerging from a spatial framework that empowers the users (students and faculty) to generate their own ideal scenarios of learning. This is probably a grandiose idea right now, but with the appropriate client vision, goals, and pedagogy we can develop creative opportunities.
Aaron: The theme of sustainably and social impact are ones that stuck strong with me, and ones I would like to see AGD implement more.
Ryan: Schematic phase should be further explored and focused on. Model making and variation of schemes are exciting to be worked on as well.
Josebet: Considering the current focus on sustainable design, I am eager to explore how the poetic and creative aspects of design can be integrated with the responsible and efficient elements of green building.
Alex: I would like to explore the idea of AI within architecture a little more. Will it get to the point where it will read my thoughts and design ideas? Not likely, but I am excited about the potential of not having to wake up in the middle of the night and having to draw it or write it down - just give your thoughts to AI and see it come to life. It's mind tripping.
What was your favorite part of the MDC experience outside of the sessions themselves?
Josh: Having attended MDC once before, I always leave the conference with a (tired, but excited) mind full of ideas and inspiration. Seeing so many inspiring designers from our local area and field brings a certain energy that is hard to find anywhere else. It has been a great experience each time, and I look forward to attending the next one in 2 years.
Bryan: Being able to inhabit a Julia Morgan project, in an incredible landscape is incredible on its own. But also being able to do it with three of my favorite humans (Jen and my 2 girls also got to attend the evening lecture) was so very special. The gender barriers broken by Morgan were an inspiring reminder about what type of world I am looking to grow the next generation of designers. Addendum - I love to draw/sketch. And to see Evie's drawings during the Tatiana Bilbao's Lecture were so fantastic. See above for her drawings of the Chapel (where we watched the lecture) and a diagram (!!!) of Tatiana's point that we "live everywhere."
Tony: Brick carving! I can't wait to receive my bricks! Also, it was a great place to network while being artsy fartsy.
Aaron: The beach and beautiful sunrises.
Ryan: I feel lucky to be at Asilomar with the beautiful architecture and landscape. The sessions were a bit overwhelming, especially on the weekend, but I got to hang out with everyone in the firm, and walking at the beach after a long session was very special.
Josebet: I had so much fun carving the brick, and the special signature from Tatiana Bilbao was like a little souvenir from my beloved Ciudad de México. (Images below provided by Josebet).
Taylor: The brick carving!
Alex: My favorite part of the MDC experience is the networking and hanging out with friends, colleagues, and co-workers.
Written by the AGD Team
Image Sources by the Order They Appear Above:
https://www.cascadiamagazine.org/what-is-cascadia/
Map of Cascadia. Not the same image used in the presentation.
Photo of Josebet speaking with Tatiana Bilbao by Alex Ceballos
Image produced by AI
Photo by Bryan Shields
Evie's, Bryan's daughter, drawings of the Chapel and a diagram of Tatiana Bilbao's lecture "live everywhere".
Images submitted by Josebet Luna
Photo by Bryan Shields