I was inducted into architectural college by Mike Brady. I do not tell this story to many individuals, largely because it makes me seem suspect. But it’s true.
In the summer of 1987 I decided to change majors from engineering to design. I was always good at math and science, and my dad was an engineer, so engineering seemed like the ideal option. As it turned out, this was not correct. Apparently being good at mathematics and understanding complicated differential equations are not the same thing.
I was bored in class. I wanted to pursue a more creative area. I had to make a shift. So I moved into the main office in the school of design and requested to speak to somebody about changing everything in my life, forever. They shipped me to view Mike Brady.
It was summer, and the college was in the middle of a hunt for a new dean. They had an interim dean holding down the fort until they discovered a permanent option. They sent me. I stepped in, and there was Mike Brady. He had wavy red hair, an extra-wide collar onto his vest top and among those corduroy coats with the patches on the elbows. He may even have had a pipe.
I sat across from him to discuss my need to create the world a better place by way of a couple of well-placed kinds of concrete, each having a majestic view. Mike Brady wanted to ensure that I was making the right option, so he proceeded to tell me exactly what the profession of design was really like. He told me about what architects do for a living. He explained about his own experience in the profession. He explained that design was a challenging profession, but if it you’re well suited for this, you’d succeed. Mike Brady was very satisfied with his choice to be an architect, and he believed I’d be too.
Frankly, I didn’t hear much of what he stated. I was actually just staring at him nodding slowly, thinking “That is TOTALLY Mike Brady from ‘The Brady Bunch’ speaking to me right now.”
Mike had me sign a few papers, and managed to pull some strings for me started from the program over the summer instead of waiting until the autumn semester. Then he patted me on my shoulder and led me into the doorway. I believe he called me “sport.”
I began design college the next week. On my very first day of course I popped into the office to see Mike and thank him. The wonderful girl at the desk looked at me as though I was mad. She had no idea who I was referring to. And I never saw Mike Brady . I do not understand whether he was there at the first location. However, I do understand this:
Mike Brady whined to me about design.
Jody Brown Architecture
I did not.
Jody Brown Architecture
She doesn’t. In fact, I believe Alice made more cash than I do, and she worked fewer hours, although she was a live-in maid.
Jody Brown Architecture, pllc
I’d really like to run around an amusement park with my roll of drawings tucked under my arm as I assist my children find a magical tiki necklace while my customer waits patiently at a seminar room, not discovering that the tarantula slowly crawling up his shirtsleeve. But this hasn’t occurred.
Jody Brown Architecture, pllc
Nope, I haven’t designed my own home, largely because I can’t afford my own preference. I live in a 1950s home that another architect made, which isn’t the same thing in any way.
Jody Brown Architecture, pllc
They cannot.
Jody Brown Architecture, pllc
That really is a little-known fact. Midcentury modern houses are always bigger on the inside than they appear on the outside. It’s like a Tardis in there. Obviously! This must be the way Mike Brady got back to 1987 to speak to me.
Jody Brown Architecture, pllc
I aim to bring this look back. Assuming that “plaid” comes from black.
Jody Brown Architecture, pllc
My 6-year-old and 8-year-old are running round my office at the moment, pulling their shirts up and singing “Gurl, look at that body. ” I am a great dad. I just hope a customer doesn’t call.
Jody Brown Architecture, pllc
There’s always somebody else that receives the better commission. And that somebody is Marcia Brady. I swear, she always gets the good jobs. It’s all of the rest of us hear about. “Marcia Marcia Marcia.”
Jody Brown Architecture, pllc
After 20 years as an architect, I am still not sure if Mike Brady knew what he was referring to. My problems are not simply misunderstandings that can be resolved in a half hour. I am not living in a picture-perfect variant of domestic bliss. However, I was promised a well-designed lifetime, surrounded by a loving wife and family, and that’s exactly what I have today.
So maybe Mike Brady was right after all. Perhaps this profession is hard but rewarding. And maybe I am satisfied to be an architect in the end. Maybe.
However, I nevertheless think Marcia gets too much focus from the style magazines.