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| Nick Deaver - Discovering "Magical Moments" by Christina Gaona When Architect Nick Deaver first moved to Austin in 1998, he had every intention of designing a modern home for his family. When he happened upon a shabby 1919s bungalow in the West Line National Historic District, Deaver saw the existing building as an opportunity to breathe new life into a piece of Austin’s downtown historic district. While the renovation process was underway, his respect for the old building grew and his original perception of the structure transformed his plans to make the antique home suit his modern sensibilities. |
The discovery process that Deaver
describes when relating the
experience of renovating his own
home is an essential component of
all of his architectural designs. “All of
our work involves a kind of discovery
process where you spend time trying
to find out what is relevant and
meaningful to a particular site, a
particular client...a particular
structure. Whatever those issues are,
our design has to be flexible enough
to respond to that,” says Deaver.
describes when relating the
experience of renovating his own
home is an essential component of
all of his architectural designs. “All of
our work involves a kind of discovery
process where you spend time trying
to find out what is relevant and
meaningful to a particular site, a
particular client...a particular
structure. Whatever those issues are,
our design has to be flexible enough
to respond to that,” says Deaver.
The first step to encountering this ‘magic moment’ begins when prospective clients are
asked to participate in design workshops or extensive interview sessions where Deaver
makes it a priority to study his clients as much as he studies the site for a building:
“We get on the site, observe the site. We want to see it day and night and to get to
know the client well enough to where we can offer our own observations and get ideas
that they respond to.” Deaver’s practice is as involved in the educating of his clients as it
is in the producing of honest and authentic architectural designs.
asked to participate in design workshops or extensive interview sessions where Deaver
makes it a priority to study his clients as much as he studies the site for a building:
“We get on the site, observe the site. We want to see it day and night and to get to
know the client well enough to where we can offer our own observations and get ideas
that they respond to.” Deaver’s practice is as involved in the educating of his clients as it
is in the producing of honest and authentic architectural designs.
He finds pleasure in challenging his clients by revealing several design possibilities – even
some that may be surprising – so as to discover each client’s compelling design ideas
and to discard those that are less compelling: “We try to offer our experiences and our
observations of a larger worldview and we care very much that each client’s project
becomes a larger part of their context.” Deaver’s respect for context extends to the site
for building, creating a unique dialogue between client, design, and location: “A design
should be a compelling reflection of our client…and not in someway disrespectful of its
environment.”
some that may be surprising – so as to discover each client’s compelling design ideas
and to discard those that are less compelling: “We try to offer our experiences and our
observations of a larger worldview and we care very much that each client’s project
becomes a larger part of their context.” Deaver’s respect for context extends to the site
for building, creating a unique dialogue between client, design, and location: “A design
should be a compelling reflection of our client…and not in someway disrespectful of its
environment.”
Each design is recognizable by a certain quality of softness and involves a commitment
to economy of effort as traces of New England Shaker influence can be found in the
special attention paid to straight lines, proportions, and quality of light:
“When I was in New England working with Centerbrook Architects, I fell in love with the
historic structures that were unlike the structures that I grew up around in Texas. I saw a
real similarity between how the Shakers approached design and how modern architects
approached design. The Shakers did not embellish their work with a lot of ornamentation
and detail – they selected the right forms and, through a process of good craftsmanship,
developed details that would last a long time but were done with an economy of effort.”
to economy of effort as traces of New England Shaker influence can be found in the
special attention paid to straight lines, proportions, and quality of light:
“When I was in New England working with Centerbrook Architects, I fell in love with the
historic structures that were unlike the structures that I grew up around in Texas. I saw a
real similarity between how the Shakers approached design and how modern architects
approached design. The Shakers did not embellish their work with a lot of ornamentation
and detail – they selected the right forms and, through a process of good craftsmanship,
developed details that would last a long time but were done with an economy of effort.”
The small size of the practice and Deaver’s emphasis on personal discovery allow him to
remain heavily involved in all aspects of the work. He approaches each design with the
desire to uncover something meaningful for the occupants rather than trying to
experiment with a style or to promote an architectural agenda. Even the name assigned
to a given design holds a special kind of meaning, providing clues as to what was
discovered by both architect and client. Deaver, significantly, considers himself first a
modern man with modern sensibilities before a modern architect.
remain heavily involved in all aspects of the work. He approaches each design with the
desire to uncover something meaningful for the occupants rather than trying to
experiment with a style or to promote an architectural agenda. Even the name assigned
to a given design holds a special kind of meaning, providing clues as to what was
discovered by both architect and client. Deaver, significantly, considers himself first a
modern man with modern sensibilities before a modern architect.
“I do think of our work as being modern, but in the sense that we feel like we fit with the
people who come to us - they are modern people. I cannot recall a time where I would
say that anyone who had come to me for a commission came to me with any other
sensibilities other than a modern sensibility. I consider my clients modern clients that live
modern lifestyles and have a particularly modern way.”
people who come to us - they are modern people. I cannot recall a time where I would
say that anyone who had come to me for a commission came to me with any other
sensibilities other than a modern sensibility. I consider my clients modern clients that live
modern lifestyles and have a particularly modern way.”
Nick Deaver has been awarded on several occasions for his thoughtful and innovative
designs including the Killingworth Residence, the McClintock Laboratory, and the Open
House project. At the 2010 Austin Modern Home Tour, Deaver presented the Three Stones
house, one of several of his homes that has gained regional and nation acclaim. Today,
Deaver spends his time focusing on designs for single-family residences in and around
Austin, Texas.
designs including the Killingworth Residence, the McClintock Laboratory, and the Open
House project. At the 2010 Austin Modern Home Tour, Deaver presented the Three Stones
house, one of several of his homes that has gained regional and nation acclaim. Today,
Deaver spends his time focusing on designs for single-family residences in and around
Austin, Texas.
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