Frank Lloyd Wright, Richard Neutra, Carl Sagan, James Burke (the science historian, not the gangster), Mark Rothko, Thomas Hart Benton, Brian Eno, Phillip Glass – Mark’s inspirations are diverse, reflecting an abiding curiosity about architecture, science, and the arts that permeates his work as a designer. His ability to draw on different influences adds dimensions to the Churchill’s famous observation - “We shape our buildings, and afterwards, our buildings shape us” – by recognizing the many ways in which culture, community, and individual needs influence the way in which we interact with our built environments. In practice, this perspective drives an approach to his community, education, and healthcare projects based on understanding the root and context of a problem before designing solutions. Furthermore, it informs a collaborative approach that welcomes clients as co-creators in their projects to achieve not just buildings, but deeply meaningful places. While the quality of his design work and ability to fulfill client needs stand out as demonstrations of Mark’s success as a designer, his dedication to mentoring younger staff is equally notable in his role as ABA’s Design Principal.
