Today we’d like to introduce you to Lucas Boyd.
Hi Lucas, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised on the Canadian prairies. I did not have a direct or conventional path to the field, but eventually moved to the United States to study Architecture at Yale University. I met Rachel, my now wife and business partner, at the open house for accepted students and we’ve been inseparable ever since. Following graduation, we spent some time working in Europe before landing back in the Northeast. Neither of us were very fond of living in New York City so we were in a constant state of trying to determine where we wanted to ‘permanently’ live. Rachel is a native of South Carolina and we spent quite a bit of time in Charleston. We quickly became enamored with the city and, for a variety of reasons, decided to take the plunge and move here is 2019 to live and start our practice. We are contemporary Architects, and it is fair to say that Charleston is not the first place that comes to one’s mind when they think ‘contemporary architecture’. It is, after all, most known for its historic buildings and ‘old world’ charm. However, I think this represents a very cursory understanding of both the city and what contemporary architecture is. We in fact believe these features are not a hindrance to our work (as it is fair to assume), but the primary catalyst for it. What one might see as a beautiful collection of old classical buildings, we see as a rich history of design thinking. Traditional? Yes. But the Architectural canon spans stylistic proclivities. Charleston also offers the canvas on which one can confront the common misconception that contemporary Architecture is best characterized by the ‘cold’ floating white box. While this motif may in fact be appropriate in some contexts, thoughtful contemporary design is not synonymous with the abstracted forms of the High Modernists. It can fit in! It can be a good neighbor. It can look ‘familiar’. When done well, a thoughtful piece of contemporary Architecture complements a beautiful traditional building next door…and vice versa!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We have been very fortunate in countless ways. The work has come, and the reception has been great. We, perhaps in our naivete, basically started our practice on a ‘hunch’. We sensed that the desire for contemporary architecture was here, but there was just not a whole lot of Architects offering it. Prior to moving down, we noticed that contemporary expressions were abundant in other fields…music, cuisine, fashion, graphic design, etc. This acted as a kind of ‘canary in a coal mine’ for us. We knew that Architecture is always last to the party because it is expensive and slow. So we said to ourselves, “if contemporary expressions are so prevalent in these other fields, it’s just a matter of time for Architecture!” That is not to say that good modern architecture did not exist here — it absolutely did (and does) – just not as much as in some of these other fields. That being said, we have found that Charleston is a very nuanced place to design and build buildings. This extends beyond the culture and local traditions into practical considerations like materiality and flood zones. As is often the case though, the more difficult aspects of any endeavor are the flip side of their more promising characteristics. These nuances are frequently the starting point of our design process and often end up being what makes a building unique and interesting.
As you know, we’re big fans of Boyd Architects. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We are a boutique contemporary Architecture practice based in Charleston, SC. We specialize in custom residential and commercial projects. What sets us apart is our unrelenting and rigorous design process. We are committed to beautiful Architecture that is presented by robust and timeless buildings. We strive to make Architecture that is unapologetically contemporary while simultaneously being unmistakably of its place.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I have been fascinated by buildings for as long as I can remember. This is obviously not unique amongst practicing Architects. I was fine in school but could never pay attention. From a young age I was heavily involved in athletics, and this quickly came to dominate my time. I remember working from an early age, largely to pay for sports. This is how I got involved in working construction, which really helped me gain a bit of familiarity with the means and methods of building. I think I was always technically minded, but I never really developed creative or artistic skills. This made for a rude awakening when I got to Architecture school. Fortunately, with the help of some close friends and classmates, I got a crash course in this type of thinking.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.boyd-architects.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boydarchitects
Image Credits
Mike Habat Photo Keith Isaacs Photo Brennan Wesley Photography Reagen Taylor Photography Nick Cann Photography
