Approach
People
Sustainability
Material Language
Place & Client
Copyright 2009 Field Architecture
About
Sustanability
Material
Language
Place
& Client
Field Architecture (fA) is an internationally recognized firm, the recent winner of two 56th Annual Progressive Architecture (P/A) Awards. Founded by Stan and Jess Field based on Stan's 40 years of practice, fA is a multi-generational firm dedicated to creating architecture that is congruous with the landscape. Through a visionary design of environment-specific architecture, landscape, and interiors, fA's designs blur of the place where landscape ends and building begins, creating a place of interchange between the made and the natural.
"We are interested in the ability of architecture to reveal the essence of a situation. In a society which celebrates the inessential, where clutter is increasingly difficult to avoid, architecture can offer a counter-balance. We believe that architecture is specific and integral to the place to which it belongs, and the time in which it is built. Each design therefore, is a unique and often iconic structure that expresses an intelligent and lasting exchange between people, land, and technology"
Our approach to constructing in the natural environment is based on a view that we are a part of nature, rather than apart from it. Each fA design is specific to its context and site, and is born of a highly sensitive response to local ecology. Our aim is to design sustainable environments, rather than sustainable buildings alone. Integration of passive systems and energy performance, water management, air quality, and material and resource optimization, are intrinsic to every design, and aim to instill in the building the essence of the elements that make a place unique.
Sustainability in its highest capacity is based on balance, and the ability for multiple entities to coexist. The relationship of that which nature makes and that which we make must be synergetic rather than competing. Neither should conceal, mimic, or dominate the other. The character of the natural and the made should be complimentary, the integration of hard and soft delicate yet deliberate, so that each may elevate our consciousness of the other.
The chemistry between a Client and Place forms the point of departure for every project. The location of a building within the broader context of the region or culture in which a project is being designed is essential, and often forms the basis for our inspiration.
Situating the building in its specific terrain is where the building design begins, in essence, creating the set which will allow the architecture to respond to the particularities of its climate, topography, soil, hydrology, and flora. We think of Architecture as an instrument through which to experience this exquisite combination of elements which make a place unique.
Authenticity is vital. Materials have a unique radiance, and inherent synergy with other materials. We believe that forming materials into buildings is in essence, a delicate art of reconstituting the meaning they retained in their natural state. The process begins with tracking their origin, the way in which they where formed, quarried, or milled. Assembling synergetic combinations of materials is like pairing wine with food, a process in which we seek to expose the sensuous qualities of the original materials, and deliver them in an entirely new form.
Stan Field
Stan was born in South Africa and received his Bachelor of Architecture at the University of Cape Town in 1967. He received his Masters in Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia in 1968, studying under Louis Kahn. He has practiced in three countries where his work has been widely acclaimed.
Stan was appointed Chief Architect to the City of Jerusalem in 1978, was a partner in Moshe Safdie Associates and later opened his own practice in Jerusalem. In 1990, following his appointment as visiting professor at the University of California at Berkeley, Stan relocated his residence and office to Palo Alto, California. He has completed high profile houses, master plans, large scale planning projects, urban and town planning projects, institutional, residential clusters, design guide-lines, wineries, synagogues, community centers.
Stan has a remarkable story of success in garnering approvals and bringing together disparate interest groups, including projects on highly contested, environmentally sensitive sites where he has brought about unanimous consensus between environmental groups, developers, and governing bodies including the California Coastal Commission. His work is infused with his own infectious optimism and commitment to the ability of architecture to inspire and transform. Stans projects have been published extensively and have received national and international recognition. Stan formed Field Architecture in 2006 together with his lifelong student and son, Jess. Together they received the 2009 Progressive Architecture Award, recognizing two of their co-designed projects, The Ubuntu Center, South Africa, and Bodega Bauer Winery in Argentina.
Jess Field
Jess was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and received his Masters of Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, winning the Eisner Prize for the highest creative achievement in 2006. He has worked in San Diego with Teddy Cruz as project designer winning a Progressive Architecture (PA) award in 2003. Jess worked with Tom Wiscombe in Los Angeles and Vienna on numerous projects including the Seoul International Performing Arts Center which won a 2nd place prize.
He has been a teaching collaborator of Tom Wiscombe at Berkeley and CCA, where he specializes in digital design processes. Jess joined Stan in practice, forming Field Architecture in 2006, Receiving the 2009 Progressive Architecture Award, for two of their co-designed projects, The Ubuntu Center, South Africa, and Bodega Bauer Winery, Argentina.
Andy Lin
Andy was born in Taipei, Taiwan and lived in Sydney, Australia before settling down in the San Francisco Bay Area. He earned his bachelor degree in Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2004. Andy graduated with high honors and was awarded the Camille J. Ehrenfels Scholoarship during his final year. Andy has been an integral part of fA since 2006, bringing extensive knowledge in digital technologies, documentation, and technical coordination.
Andy has worked on several award winning projects including the Bodega Bauer Winery, and the Ubuntu Center.
Jeff Pilotte
Originally from Illinois, Jeff moved to California after receiving a degree in industrial design from Institute of Design in Chicago. After working for a design/build firm specializing in structural steel space frames, Jeff moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where he has lived for over 25 years. As an independent designer, Jeff designed and built custom furniture and specialty architectural hardware and mechanisms.
Jeff met Stan while studying for his masters of Architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1991. The purchase of one of Jeff's tables by Stan's wife, Carol Field brought Stan and Jeff together professionaly. Jeff is an avid motorcyclist and happy family man with his architect wife, Suzannah and two children, Edward and Mary.
Stan has an amazing rate of success in garnering approvals, including highly contested, environmentally sensitive sites and has brought about unanimous consensus between environmental groups, developers and governing bodies including the California Coastal Commission. His work is infused with his own infectious optimism and commitment to the ability of architecture to inspire and transform. Stans projects have been published extensively in the media and have received national and international recognition. Stan formed Field Architecture in 2006 together with his lifelong student and son, Jess. Recently they received the 2009 Progressive Architecture Award, recognizing two of his projects, The Ubuntu Center, South Africa, and Bodega Bauer Winery, Argentina.
