What’s your design philosophy?
Architecture is for humans—it should fit our bodies, please our eyes, and feel good to the touch.

Who has been your biggest design influence?
Louis Kahn for his logical purity, Alvar Aalto for his restrained whimsy, and Paul Rudolph for his raw confidence.

One piece of furniture in your space that tells a story?
I’ve been dismantling and reassembling a Paul McCobb desk that I found on the sidewalk in SoHo about 20 years ago. It’s made with simple wood joinery and screws that make it easy to break down, which you’d never know just by looking at it.

One item you believe everyone should own?
A very large plant, because they bring so much life and personality to a space.

Architectural element that’s worth the splurge?
Any connection to the outdoors, be it windows, decks, patios, porches, skylights, and so on. My favorite part of most any building is the space between it and its environment.

Favorite place in Maine to get inspired?
I could sit on a dock, boat, or beach for days and read, talk, or stargaze. I tend to have a lot of energy and can easily get caught up in it, so visiting lakes allows me to calm down, step back, and think. 

What’s your perfect day in Maine?
It starts with a long morning at home followed by a bike ride on my 1986 red Bianchi around Back Cove and through the Eastern Prom. I’d hop on the ferry and stop at Il Leone on Peaks Island for pizza, then it’s back home for some afternoon gardening. Finally, I’d enjoy a glass of wine and people watching outside Friends and Family, capped off with dinner (eggplant terrine, my favorite dish) in my corner bar seat at Wayside Tavern.

Local shop everyone should visit?
Strata on Washington Ave. for their beautifully curated selection of Japanese knives, kitchenware, and books.