last detail: architectural leader
A Conversation with Jason Boyer AIA Arizona’s 2017 Firm of the Year, Studio Ma’s Principal, Jason Boyer, elaborates on ingenuity during a recession, housing’s “missing middle” and entrepreneurial spirit.
Jason Boyer, architect and principal with Phoenix-based Studio Ma, designed the housing community on a site near popular Arizona attractions.
Q: When/why did you join Studio Ma? BOYER: I had worked in a variety of larger firms and even owned my own practice for about two years; artHAUS [a collection of 25 smartly designed urban dwellings located in Midtown Phoenix] was born during that period, but I had to get creative about how the bills were to be paid. I linked up with Studio Ma because we’re all the same age, we’ve been friends—as well as competitors—and they liked what I’ve been trying to do as an architect/ developer with the artHAUS project.
BOYER: I’ve learned a lot and my intention is to keep going with some of the things that are most applicable— trying to know the market, and what it needs; where the demand is, and where the money is. The space where I placed artHAUS was in the middle-scale housing marketplace called the “missing middle.” There’s luxury and small-scale, but the average middle-class person or family is really struggling to find a new, quality product in a central city location and that’s what we’re trying to do at an attainable price point. Attainability is different than affordability. We’re consciously thinking about the lifestyle gratification, and, for me, the brand is focused on a more qualitative brand, with attention to natural light, indoor-outdoor connections, materiality and the way the project deals with cars, storage and public space. This way we’re knit into the fabric of the community. We’ve won some buyers that way.
Q: What is a common quality of the firm? BOYER: Entrepreneurial spirit.
Attainability vs. affordability “musts” Boyer considers critical: lifestyle gratification, with attention to natural light, indoor-outdoor connections, and the way the project deals with storage and public space. Q: Does that mean you think architectural firms will absorb the developer’s role, like artHAUS? BOYER: I don’t think so. You’ll continue to see more architects being entrepreneurial, and some will succeed. At the end of the day, beyond spirit, you need access to capital. Development is a shell game—there could be great ideas, but no access to affordable financing— hurdles are everywhere, and when you knock one down there’s five more. You have to have a lot of tenacity, believe in what you’re doing and be open to not knowing everything—it’s certainly not for the faint of heart.
Renderings for ASU MU: Studio Ma
ARIZONA STATE Studio Ma is reimagining the Memorial Student Union at Arizona State University. “We’re reworking all of the student gathering spaces considering light, texture and biomimicry,” explains Boyer.
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by Bill Timmerman, courtesy Studio Ma
Q: Will the artHAUS model of development be repeated in other urban infill projects?
ARTHAUS A collection of 25 smartly designed urban dwellings located in Midtown Phoenix.
Q: What is something that nobody can agree on, but you’re stronger for having the discussion? BOYER: We are building our office right now—we bought a building, and we’re in the middle of rebuilding it, and we’ve probably redesigned it six times. We’re late on deadlines and we’re paying extra rent where we’re at now—we’re our own worst client!
Q: How has your involvement with ULI in the Southwest affected your philosophy? BOYER: It was really helpful. It’s a great place to work and make connections; I’ve found a lot of the people there are willing to share information. I submitted a project on the ULI Arizona Shark tank and it was a great process; they did eat me up a little bit, but out of that came immediate respect and lasting relationships, so when I called on some senior developers, they were willing to help me refine my financial models because I had put my neck out there.
03 . 2018
3/1/18 7:29 PM