FAMA okto studio LLC

07/26/2026

Hong Kong Harbor at night . spectacular!

07/23/2026

China Trip sketches

07/18/2026

05/25/2026

Why most US Architects Stamps are boring ...

03/20/2026

Working on a rowhome kitchen renovation. Layers of history and enough charm to make you cry. Look at that wallpaper - why on earth would you ever cover that, I mean, look at it, it's crazy how I can hear the previous owner paging through the pattern books in a local hardware store, then said 'this one' - history is interesting because at some point they will be demolishing the new kitchen.

Working with this family has been very rewarding. The GC, Ruairi Kenefick, is a true craftsperson. I am lucky to be working in coordination with Brian Newswanger of Atlantes Architects.

02/21/2026

On a warm spring morning,
while walking to work in Center City Philadelphia,
I met Isaiah Zagar.

I knew who he was, a well-known artist, and he was already in receiving mode.

We shook hands.
I mentioned how much I enjoyed his work, and Isiaih asked me what I was doing walking in Center City so early in the morning.
I said, "I am an architect."
And he said, " Well, good, we need architects."

He was more than generous to speak with me, a stranger up until that moment.

We spoke for a few minutes, then went our separate ways.
I met him a few other times, and he always mentioned our first meeting; he always remembered.

So, although I enjoyed his work, what I liked most about Isaiah was his genuine warmth and consideration of others.
We definitely need more of his compassion in the world.

Rest in peace. Our thoughts are with you, your family, and friends.

01/26/2026

Look at this mortise in an old exterior wall beam from a 1920 farm house - modified in the 1990's for an addition. We are now going through another renovation, and the new owners have a real appreciation for the original craft of building a home. It's a young couple building their family - this is their forever home, and the decisions we make now will be scrutinized later. So much fun.

Hardly the height of technology, but tried-and-true, well-known building techniques make a solid, well-framed home. I am sure modern construction methods are caught in a mix of (reactionary) code and a limited understanding of how to make well.

The key here is to get a maker, a builder, who can elevate the existing and meld the new seamlessly.

12/25/2025

Happy Holidays

Working with a very talented designer, Nataly Farah, an architect with a great future.

12/24/2025

Here is to your Snowy Christmas . Happy Holidays to All.

12/21/2025

Beautiful work to share