- Hi.
- A colonial?
- Yeah, I alwaysliked colonials.
- I know. I just didn't thinkyou were serious.
- It's the perfectcombination--
old-world charm,modern convenience.
- Where are we--18th-century New England?
No, I don't want to livein some fairy-tale replica
of a bygone era--it's ridiculous.
- It doesn't matterwhat the style is, anyway.
The important thingis a practical floor plan
and a good location--
how far is the commute,how good are the schools.
- Schools are important.
- Yeah, they increaseproperty values.
- What a transformation.
- I can't tell the oldfrom the new.
- There isn't any old left.
We just kept the facade.Everything else is new.
- Wow. That'sa million-dollar view.
- It's closer to 1.3 million.
- Now there's a water viewin every room.
Remember how awful the place waswhen we bought it,
with that chartreuse shag rug
and the sprayed-oncottage cheese ceiling?
- We thought the ceilingswere only 8 feet.
But believe it or not,they were 11 feet.
- We only found outwhen we poked through
to put in those skylights.
- You remember how it waslaid out like a train,
just all long and narrow?- Mm-hmm.
- We completely openedall of this up.
We ran a huge steel beam
the entire lengthof the house for support.
It cost us 20 grand.- It was so worth it.
Our architect had a lotof creative ideas.
- It's a brand-new house.- It's completely different.
I-I don't evenrecognize the place.
- That's becausewhen we opened it all up.
We had to relocatethe staircase.
- Which completely changedthe layout upstairs.
- Wow.- Ouch!
- Yeah, would have beencheaper to build new.
- You're kidding.
- Well, there are a lotof hidden conditions.
I mean, you don't knowuntil you open up the walls.
- It was not cheaperto build new.
Ivan did a lotof the work himself.
- You did?
- No.- You programmed the audio
and lighting systemsthroughout the whole house.
- That can be tricky.- Yeah.
No, I hope you worea hard hat for that.
- Remember the kitchen?
It was totallyoriginal condition,
hadn't been updated at all--
Formica counters,electric stove,
avocado-green fridge, linoleum.- It was sweet.
- Sweet, yeah, but not reallysuited to our lifestyle.
- We gutted it completely.- Mm-hmm.
- Oh, I've gottenso many compliments
on your plates, Drew.
- Oh, that's so nice.- Drew, you made those?
Oh, my God,those are beautiful!
I had no ideahow creative you were.
- She has a great eye for color,doesn't she?
- Right? I keep telling herwe can grow a business.
With the right marketing,
you could be movingthousands of units.
- Moving units.That's so funny.
- Would you make a set for us?Seriously, we'd commission you.
- Ah, you signed it.I was gonna ask you to sign it.
I have no doubtthese are gonna be worth
some money down the line.
Drew Davis?
- I use my maiden namefor artistic pursuits.
- Huh.
- So I heardyou guys found a house.
- Ah, we made an offer.
There's beensome back-and-forth.
It's practically a tear-down.
- Aw, that we're goingto lovingly restore.
It's our dream house.
- Don't say "dream house."
If we invest ourselvesemotionally,
it will be harder to walk away.- I don't want to walk away.
- Well, you don't want themto know that.
It gives them the upper hand.
- If you find something good,you have to move fast.
- We have to balance the needfor a quick decision
with the needfor the right decision.
- Sometimes you haveto take a chance.
Go on a gut instinct.
- Drew, we need to settle down,overcome our emotions,
and make a sensiblehome-purchase decision.
You know, a houseis like a marriage, right?
You can't just jump in.
And you can't just jump outif you want to unload it.
You're stuck with that decisionfor a very long time...
hopefully.
- It is like a marriage.
You do go by intuition.
It's not somethingyou can analyze.
- Intuition is a feeling.
You don't basebig decisions on feelings.
- You said it waslike a marriage.
- Yeah, marriage isthe biggest decision of all.
You don't base thaton just mere feelings.
- Have you seenour warming drawer?
- Ooh.- Mm-mm.
- I like the way
they did that recessedrectangle in the ceiling
and the way it was lit up.
- Oh, that just killed me.
Here they havea classic mid-century modern,
and they removeall the original fixtures
and replace themwith recessed cans.
- I like recessed cans.They work.
They're bright.You can see.
- You can see too much.
- I'm ovulating.
- What?- I'm ovulating.
- Right now?How can you possibly tell?
- Well, you just can.I know my body.
I don't want to go into details,but, you know...
Discharge.
- Oh.
I paddled 11 miles today.
I'm totally exhausted.
- Why do you always haveto go so far?
- That's not that far.
I mean, I'll do16 or 17 next time.
You c--you can't expect me
to turn onlike a faucet, you know.
At least try to seduce mea little.
- Batten down the hatches, Seattleites.
We've got a big storm system blowing in from the west,
a bit of lightning and thunder
with wind gusts expected to get 60 miles per hour.
- Aren't you a littleunderdressed?
- It's Saturday.
- You look like a little boy.- Who do I have to impress?
The broker works for us.
- What about me?- Honey, we're married.
- Hello, Drew. Hello, Colin.It's good to see you again.
Your contractor'salready here.
- It looks worse than last week.
- Oh, it just needsa little TLC.
It's got good bones.
- It's great to find somethingthat hasn't been ruined
by a spec developer.
- It's gonna need a ton of work.- It's cosmetic.
That's whyit's such a good deal.
This locationand the water view...
it's got endless possibilities.
You just needa little imagination.
Oh.
- Gonna need to replaceall the windows.
But you don't need to use wood.Vinyl is cheaper.
- Vinyl is weird.- Well, I recommend composite.
It's not vinyl,and it's not wood,
but it looks like wood,and it lasts forever.
- If it's not vinyland it's not wood,
then what is it?
- Composite.
- Overall,what do you think?
- Oh, seems pretty sturdy...
I mean, there could behidden conditions.
I'd have to pull offsome of the siding.
But, uh, let's see.
- It's so peaceful and quiet.
- Country livingclose to the city.
There's history here too.
This house was rented one summerby Courtney Love.
- Okay, so, roughly, ballpark,
what's it gonna taketo clean this up?
- Top of my head, um...
$200 a square foot,depending on finishes.
- Really?
$200 a foot,2,500 square feet.
That's $500,000.
- You can financethe home improvements
along with the purchase price.
- Here we go. Here we go.- So cool.
- Congratulationson your new home.
Oh! Oh! Wow!
- Oh, my God.
- Jesus.
- Ooh.
Whoa!
- It's all right.
It's their tree,so it's okay.
- So you just closedyesterday?
Boy, are you screwed.
I'm just kidding.You're totally covered.
- Tear it down.
It's a no-brainer.
It'd be cheaper to build new.
- Where do we begin?
- Oh, there's an architectnamed Ray Jenkins,
does a lot of work in the area.
I built a house of his downon Fulton Road.
- Ah.
- Is this a house?
- I'm Putnam Hatch, and I find it ironic
that I'm known less for the Hatch Foundation
than I am for the Hatch House--
my private residence designed by the firm
of Sullivan and Moss.
Now, the Hatch Foundation
is actually a global philanthropic organization--
- Hello?
- Yes.
- Hi, I'm--I'm lookingfor the architect Leo Sullivan.
- Why?
- I saw a house that he designedat 299 Fulton Road.
- I designed that house.
- Are you Leo Sullivan?
- Sullivan is dead.
- Oh, um...
Who am I speaking to?
- Miles Moss.
- It's so exciting to meet you.- Really?
- I just love the houseon Fulton Road.
- Oh, thank you.
Here it is.We call it the Hatch House.
- Oh.- Please.
- You're here all alone here?
- The firm is transitioning.
I apologize if I soundedcryptic on the phone.
Mr. Sullivan diedunexpectedly three months ago
and, uh, lefta lot of creditors.
- He was your partner?
- Leo's role was moreon the business side.
As it turns out, my confidencein him was misplaced.
I am so glad that you likethe Hatch House.
I had a wonderful client,Putnam Hatch.
- Mm.
- Anytime I've ever doneanything good,
it's because I've hada wonderful client.
- What makesa wonderful client?
- Someone who inspires me.
Can I?
As an architect, I have the jobof transforming hopes and dreams
into wood, glass,steel, and concrete.
But if the dreamsaren't there,
there's very littleI can do.
There will never bea great architect
without a great client.
- I can tell by your styleyou're a creative person.
You appreciatethe process.
- Yeah, I do.
- It's very satisfying
when a clientgets as excited as I do.
- Do all architectsstart by drawing?
- Many prefer the computer,
I'm old school.
With a pen and paper,I'm free.
I could redesign the entire cityof Paris in half an hour.
- You mentioned your fatherwas an architect.
- Called himselfan old-fashioned modernist.
The modernistshad this absurd idea
that you could heal the worldthrough architecture.
Of course,that's impossible.
Nobody expects architectsto have grand visions anymore.
What a shame.
- Hmm.
- Miles.
- I just love the way
you combine vintageand contemporary.
- Oh, thanks.
Miles, I'd like youto meet my husband, Colin Stone.
- Miles Moss.
- That's quite the houseat 299 Fulton.
- Thank you.We call it the Hatch House.
- It's namedafter the client.
- That's traditionallyhow it works.
Whatever you build herewill be called the Stone House.
- Huh.
Oh, Mr. Hatch must bea wealthy man.
- People assume
that interesting architectureis expensive,
but it's not necessarily so.
There are a lot of new andinnovative materials out there.
- So how would youdescribe your style?
Who are your influences?
- Influenceis a difficult subject for me.
I, uh, try to avoid it.
It would be a nightmareif I started to think about it
It would just tie my hands.
None of us invented the house.
That happenedthousands of years ago.
Remarkable property.-
Yeah, I must admit, as muchas I loved the old house,
I feel we havea tremendous opportunity.
- Oh, I agree--a tremendous opportunity!
- Let's say we wanteda 3,000-square-foot house,
four bedroom,three bath.
Ballpark, what's thatgonna set us back?
- That's a bit like saying youwant to marry a woman
who's 5'6" and 125 pounds.
Many women would fitthe criteria,
but you wouldn't love them.
What's more importantis designing a house
to suit your needs.
- And our budget.
- Well, yes,that's one of your needs.
But beyond budget,you have other needs--
your hopes, your dreams.
I need to learn those things.
My process begins with a periodof intense communication.
I need to find outwho you are, deep down.
What are your eating habits,your bathing habits,
your sleeping habits,and privacy needs?
- - The more open you are,
the more inputI have to work with.
Important consideration--
will the family growand change over time?
- On a practical side,you know, we can't just think
about what appealsto Colin and Drew.
We've got to thinkabout the resale value.
You know, most peopledon't stay in a house
for more than 7 years.
- What?That's crazy.
- It's true. Look it up.- Really?
- Again, the assumptionis that innovative architecture
must not only be expensivebut impractical.
I find the opposite is true.
- He's odd.- I like him.
I'm tired, honey.
I rode 34 miles today.
I just kind of wantto relax, you know?
- We have to have sexto make a baby.
- Well, can you--can you adda little more pressure
to the situation?
I got a full plate at work.
We just made a hugeinvestment in this house.
Now we have to builda whole new one.
He makes me uncomfortable.
He's too much of an "artist."
What if we don't likewhat he comes up with?
- He's an amazinglycreative person.
He has fresh ideasthat we would never think of.
Why can't you be more supportiveof his creativity?
- Because it's all egoand vanity--that's why.
And I'm telling you--
that's going to show upin added cost.
- He just...
He thinks differently.
I wish I could getinside his head for just a day.
I like the chemistrybetween us.
- Oh, chemistry.
Drew, we have gotto think practically here.
What if we want to sellin a few years?
You do not want to beupside down on a mortgage.
- Why are you talkingabout selling
when we haven't evenbuilt it yet?
Why?
- You know, and I don't likethe idea of separate interviews.
What if we contradicteach other?
If I wanted to talk to somebodyabout my feelings,
I'd hire a therapist,not an architect.
- Maybe you should.
- Hey, you know whosean architect?
Elizabeth's brother-in-law.We should call him.
- No.
- This was a spec housein Renton.
We were supposed to dothree others,
but the developer went broke,and the bank foreclosed.
Here's a car wash in Everett.
That was a good project.
- What makes a good project?
- When you get paid on time.
Uh, this client wanteda French chateau,
so we didan authentic reproduction.
Elizabeth sends her regards.
- Well, I now haveboth proposals.
Guess who's cheaper.
Miles Moss.
- Here's my studio.
- Aha.
- Oh, don't look too closely.
It's just a hobbyI do for fun.
- What we do for funis what really matters.
Art only has meaning
if the process comesfrom an inner compulsion.
- I wouldn't call it art.
- This is my process...
getting to knowyou and Colin.
You're a creative person.
You understand the dialoguebetween client and architect
is an intimate one.
When you talk about building,you're talking about...
dreams.
You must never let yourselfbe overwhelmed
by a rational analysis.
When we're talkingabout a house, a room, a space,
it's not somethingthat you think.
It's something that you feel.
- My--my main concernis separation.
I need my own space.
- Of course.
There must be a placefor solitude.
A couple can't be together
if they have no placeto be alone.
- Colin'suncomfortable alone.
So the TV stays onto keep him company.
- Many people avoid solitude.
It's...
Frightening to be alonewith your thoughts.
You may findthere are none.
Do you intendto have children?
- We're trying, yeah.
Our--our genes may not match.
- Well, it's an importantconsideration.
The couple needsto have privacy,
so their children can havea place of their own
so they don't driveeveryone crazy.
- Oh, that's beautiful,isn't it?
- The nautilus shell...
A symbol that goes backto the ancient Hindus.
- The golden ratio.- Exactly.
Plato called itthe key to the cosmos.
From the structureof the human skeleton
to the patternon sunflowers seeds,
the ratio is there--
seemingly a geometrical patternfor life itself.
- Look, the golden ratio.It's everywhere.
- Ah.
- Accumulated benefits.
Right,during the absorption period,
the debt is dividedinto a series
of staggered maturities.
Right.
No problem.
Look, if Drew answersquestions differently than me,
it doesn't mean we disagree.- What does it mean?
- It means we haven't hada chance to talk about it yet.
Sometimes she doesn't thinka thing through logically.
The point is,we know what we want.
- Of course.You could design it yourself.
You just need someoneto draw up the plans.
- No, I--
- It's like someonewho has no knowledge of fashion
but wanted to design a suit
It would bean amorphous sack.
- All I'm saying is,
we want to make surewe get what we want.
- Well, that's whywe're here, Colon.
I'm trying to determinewhat you want.
- It's "Colin."
Colon is the large intestine.
- Forgive my accent.
- One thing I want for sureis plenty of storage space.
- Now, is that the first thingthat comes to mind?
- It's an important featurethat's easily overlooked.
Also, I want a whole-housemulti-zone audio system,
you know, so I can listento my music in any room
while she listens to her musicin another room.
- When did music becomeso personalized?
It's funny how technologybest serves mediocrity.
- I want a flat-screen TVin the toilet
so I can watchthe stock reports.
- Check.
- All the TVsshould be mounted flush.
That has to beplanned for, right?
'Cause you got to make sure thatthey're recessed into the walls.
Shouldn't--shouldn'tyou write this down?
- I just want to takea step back,
go a little deeper.
What is itthat you really want?
- Some friends put ina voice-activated butler system
that performsall these household tasks.
You know, you can call...
from the freeway,and it starts the sauna.
Is that the kind of thing--
Hey, Jim.
Basic structureis where all the investors
owning a sequential-pay mortgageinvestment conduit
receivedinterest payments.
Yeah, the principal receivedfrom the underlying mortgages
repays each tranchein a predetermined order.
Right. No problem.
Sorry.
- Our work has becomeso specialized, hasn't it?
People know more and moreabout less and less.
- Yeah.
S-shouldn't we bemore systematic here,
you know, make a listof things we like and don't like
about our current house?
- If you want, but we couldalso use our imaginations
and dream of what our newhouse could be.
You--you must have dreamsfor your new house.
- Yes, I do. I dream.
I dream that we don't goover-budget, you know.
I dream that the placeis re-saleable
and I don't lose my shirt.
- And yet you're asking fora voice-activated butler system.
- No, no, no, I researchedthe butler system.
It's surprisingly affordable.
Look, this isn'trocket science, you know.
For one thing, we havethis great view of the water.
Just put up a wall of glassand frame the view.
- Nothing spoils a view so muchas huge windows
that gape at it incessantly.
It's better to glimpse itas you pass by.
- I don't want to glimpse it.I want to see it.
It's a big viewfrom a house on a hill.
- A house shouldnever be on a hill.
A house shouldn't be on anything.
A house should be of the hill.
Hill and houseliving together,
each the happierfor the other.
- Yeah.
Look, uh, Miles,here's my concern.
You're, um--you're an artist,
and I'm just--I don't know
that your visionreflects our needs.
- Rest assured--I find the client can be
a significant design resource.
They sometimesmake wonderful suggestions.
- Thank you.Don't forget--
we're the onesthat have to live there.
We have to pay for it.We have to be rational.
- I understand completely.
Rationalismis the enemy of art,
but is necessary as a basisfor architecture.
- It certainly is.
- A work of artis revolutionary.
A house is conservative.
- That's right.
- A house must satisfya requirement.
A work of art does not.
- I'm gladwe're on the same page.
- A house is designedto provide comfort.
A work of artwants to draw people
out of their comfort zone.- Exactly.
- That is why people love housesand hate art.
- Yes.
No, I don't hate art.
- Only a small partof architecture belongs
to the realm of art--
the monument and the tomb.
Everything elsehas a function.
I believeit is just as important
to design a chicken coop
as it isto design a cathedral.
We're roughly at the heightof the second story.
- A blank canvas.
Where do you begin?
- I got something for you.
- Oh.
- I want youto start noticing things,
little details that contribute
towards how a spacemakes you feel.
Drawing is betterthan taking photos.
It forces you to lookmore closely at things.
- Nobody talksabout these things.
It's like a big secretand they only let you in on it
once you have children.
- Where's your sweater, Max?Did you leave it in your cubby?
- What's a cubby?
- I can't believeyou don't know what a cubby is.
When did youstart sketching?
- I'm taking notesfor my architect.
- "My architect."Drew has her very own architect.
- He's...
so inspiring.- Oh.
- It's like I'm seeing things
in a completely new way.
I love my architect.
- Does Colinlove your architect?
- Colin is suspiciousof creativity.
- Hey, are we gettingtogether Wednesday?
I have a facial at 9:00and a laser appointment at 4:00,
but other than that,I'm pretty open.
Emma's doing my nails at 1:00.What about late afternoon?
I have 6:30 yoga.Thursday?
- No, I do weight trainingThursday mornings,
but the afternoon is free.
- I'm getting my hair coloredthen I have therapy. Friday?
- Any recent changesin your health?
- No.- Any big life changes--
new job,death in the family?
- No.
- We're building a house.
- Ooh, that's exciting.It can also be stressful.
Drew, everythingis within range.
Colin,your testosterone is low.
Levels tend to drop offafter age 35.
We want to try to raise it.
As with any hormone treatment,there are side effects.
The most prevalentis increased sex drive.
Do you thinkyou can handle that?
- Yeah...
- Seriously, though,stress can be a factor.
You're building a house--big financial commitment,
countless decisions to be made.
The pressurecan affect fertility.
Think about the message thatyou're sending to your body.
From an evolutionary standpoint,
your body knows that a periodof extreme stress
is not an ideal timeto get pregnant.
- Well, what do yousuggest we do?
- Try to ease upon your work schedule.
- W-work is not stressful.
This--this is stressful.- She's trying to help.
Maybe if you cut back on your50-mile rides and paddles.
- It could just bebad timing.
Two busy people havingintercourse
once or twice a week--it's hit or miss.
You can predict ovulationby calculating your next period
and then counting back 14 days.
- Oh. Well, maybemy app is wrong.
It says day 14, not 19.
- What, we had all that sexfor nothing?
- You can purchase a test kit
that'll give youadvanced warning.
When the test is positive,have intercourse that night,
the next night, the night afterand the night after that.
Or forget aboutovulatory charts, mucus charts,
and scheduled sex
and let passion take over.
- We're not using those.- Why not?
He may recommend themto other clients.
- I don't want to use them.
I'm sick of them.No, we're not using them.
- Maybe he'll recommend them.
- No. I don't want to use them.I'm sick of them.
Oh!
- I don't know what you expectto learn by watching us eat.
- I'm observing how you live...
so that I can betterdesign your house.
- Well, we wouldn't be behavinglike this if you weren't here.
- That's the HeisenbergUncertainty Principle.
You can't observe a thingwithout changing it.
- Mm.
- What do you thinkof the plates?
Drew made them.
- He knows that.- They're great, aren't they?
- Of course.
I can't help wondering whatyou'd do with a bigger canvas,
express emotionsthat can't be contained
on plates.
- People need plates.They have a use.
It's not just art, you know.You're providing a service.
- What matters is that youenjoy the process.
- I used to enjoy it.Now it's just work.
- Most artists would behappy there was work.
- He promotes meto all his colleagues.
They provide color samplesfor me to match.
- They didn't ask you to match.
They simply wanted youto coordinate
with their tableclothand napkins.
- I don't want to be toldwhat colors to use.
- Drew, they're tryingto put together a tabletop.
- Fuck their tabletop.
- The salad is excellent.
- You're wearing your hairwith more abandon.
I like it.
- Thanks.
You pick up on everything,don't you?
- Everything of interest.
- You can get that.I don't mind.
- Oh, it'll goto voice mail.
You see, an architectmust be many things--
sculptor, artist,
but before you can build,
you must have an idea.
- The nautilus shell.
- It's classic,and it's curving.
I like all of that.
I'm not attracted toright angles and straight lines.
They're hard and inflexibleand man-made.
There are no right anglesin nature.
- Ah, it must be so freeingto make such big gestures.
My world is so small.
- Well, here,I don't need all of this.
It's a nice big piece.
You can reallystretch out on it.
- I'm a little intimidated
by a big blank pieceof white paper.
- Well, then paint it black.
Look...
a staircaseisn't just a way
of gettingfrom one floor to another.
It's a room in itself.
You saw what we didat the Hatch House.
- I was never inside.
- Oh.
- Incredible.
- The resultof excellent chemistry
between architect and client.
- Oh, what are you doing?
- Well...
Putnam usually hasa decent bottle of wine
in his cooler.
- The sleeping space...
The centerof a couple's life together,
the placewhere they talk, sleep,
sleep late...
make love.
- The center of my husband'slife is the bathroom.
He spendsa lot of time there.
- Well...
that's understandable.
Bathing is pleasurableand therapeutic.
It's one of the simplest waysto unwind--
the sensual contactwith water.
It's oneof the precious times
when we are absolutely alone
and completely naked.
- He just sits on the toilet.
I have trouble sleeping.
He insists on keeping the TV onin the bedroom.
I have to waituntil he falls asleep
to turn it off.
I need a room of my own.
- Architecture can't forcepeople to connect.
It can only planthe crossing path,
remove barriers,
make the meeting placesmore inviting.
- You always thinkof modern as cold.
This is cozy.
- The concept of cozy has alwaysbeen a problem for modernism.
But it'sa major concern of mine...
along with comfy.
Yeah.
A group of chairs,a sofa,
a pile of cushions...
to make that work is--it's very subtle.
Most meeting placesare sterile.
People avoid them.Nothing happens there.
Others are...
full of life.
They...
seem to attract people.
People feel more...
Alive.
This arrangementis particularly successful.
Oh.
This is nice.
- Mm-hmm.
- You must have come home fromwork early to prep all this.
- I did.Where were you?
- Oh, I, uh...
Miles showed me the insideof the Hatch House.
- Really? I would have likedto have seen that.
- You should.It's amazing.
- Yeah?The owners were there?
- No, um...
You should really see it.You'd realize he's a genius.
- Yeah, well, the problemwith geniuses
is they're a painin the ass.
- Oh.
Mm.
- Mike Conway,Conway Construction.
- Miles Moss, architect.- Miles.
- Hi.
Looks likeit's clearing up.
- Yes, this afternoon,if the forecast is reliable.
- So, uh, this is...
- I want you to knowthat Drew's contribution
to the designhas been crucial.
She has been my muse.
- Oh, my God.
Wow.
- Wow.
- The parking garage is here.
You enter throughthe main doorway here
into a floatingstairway space.
It's a design ideainspired by Drew.
- Can you really build thison our budget?
- Well, I thinkthat's a question for Mike.
- I have no idea what this is.
Um, what's the skin?
- Titanium, of course.
- Titanium.- Yes.
A magnificent metal--
noble, mysterious, vital,
just as Cronus,the first of the Titans
who ruled over the earth,the heavens, and the sea.
- Do you know a supplier?- Of course.
- And a sub?- Yes, yes.
Let me walk youthrough the floor plan.
- There areno straight lines.
- Straight lines are a symptomof the new illiteracy.
It will lead to the downfallof human civilization.
- People like straight walls,you know.
They're--they're practical.
You can--you can put furnitureup against them.
- Squares and rectanglesmake no sense in human terms.
They have a negative effecton social interaction.
They only expressthe rigid desires of people
who are too preoccupiedwith systems
and their meansof production.
The entire universeis curved.
Einstein proved that.
- Why don't you let himpresent his idea
before criticizing it?
- That's all right, Drew.
I like clients to provide activeand aggressive criticism,
as long as they haveabsolute faith in me.
I find thatthe best work happens
when everyone hasan open mind.
Remember, you're payingfor my talent and experience.
You're wasting moneyif you don't listen to my ideas.
- All right.So where are the rooms?
- The living spacesare here and here.
The kitchen space is here.
And these arethe sleeping spaces.
- You mean bedrooms?
- You could call them that.
- What's this thing--this line here?
Is this a wall?
- Yes, it's madeof Quietstone.
It's a soundproofing material.
It's as thin as Sheetrock,but twice as sound resistant.
It createscomplete separation.
- Complete separationfrom what?
- Your side of the housefrom Drew's side of the house.
- Oh, I knew it.I knew it.
I told you that doing separateinterviews w-was a mistake.
Why don't you--Just build a duplex.
We'll live next doorto each other.
- I was just respondingto Drew's sound concerns
and your music concerns.
I think you're making moreof this than was intended.
- All right, Mike, ballpark,what--what are we looking at?
- I've gota thousand questions
before I could give youa solid number,
but I'd have to sayat least, uh...
$500 a square foot.
- Five hun--
That's--that's overa million bucks!
Are you out of your mind?
- Mike, if you havea thousand questions,
wouldn't it be good to getsome answers first
before making wild guesses?
- Um, where arethe load-bearing walls?
- The loads are beingtransferred here, here...
and here.
- Well, I'm not telling youanything you don't already know,
but it would be more efficientto stack them.
- It would be more efficient,
but they wouldn't be happyliving there.
Now's the timeto make changes, folks.
It's cheaper to use an eraseron the drafting board
than it is a wrecking ballat the site.
- We can't allow the engineeringto dictate the building's form.
Structure hasto accommodate design.
- Oh, okay, thank youfor your time, Miles.
Send me your final bill.I will take care of it.
- What? No.- Yes. No, we're done.
- It's just a first pass.Nothing's set in stone.
- Stone would be cheaper.
- Most people findthat what they want
is 50% overthe original budget.
- What we want? - Yes, what we want.
- Mike and Ineed to get together,
go throughall his questions.
There are alwaysless expensive alternatives,
if need be.
I find its better to negotiatethan pound my fist on the table.
- This would save youa whole bunch right there.
- Those roomswould be prisons
for the peoplewho had to live in them.
- I'm sure that Milescan come up
with creative solutionsthat lower the cost,
yet still maintainthe integrity of the design.
- You know what?
Give me a chanceto get together with Mike.
We'll go through his questionsand come up with some options.
- We can do that.
- Fine. All right.
Mike, I'll--I'll call you tomorrow.
- - Bye, bye.
- Where's my storage space?
- Give me the luxuries of life,
and I'll happily dowithout the necessities.
- That makes no sense.Where's the bathroom?
- You thinkI forgot bathrooms?
- No, your bathroom here.
- Oh, oh, it's, uh...
- Yesterday was a big mistake.
It's justcompletely ridiculous.
- What do you mean"completely ridiculous"?
- It won't happen again.
I had a weak moment.
- It's been a long time
since I've connected with anyonethe way I connect with you.
- Oh, no, I'm sorry, Miles.I just can't.
It's not that I don't thinkyou're an amazing person.
And I'm completelyattracted to you.
But I just can't. I'm married.I don't want to hurt Colin.
I don't want to hurt you.
- Hurt me?- Yes.
- You've made methe happiest man alive.
- No, don't say that.I feel awful--just guilty.
It's deceitful.
- It's not your fault.I set you up.
I've been in love with yousince we first met.
- No. Don't say that.
No, it's over.
- You're his muse?How "amusing."
You think I don't knowwhat's going on?
You two have been meetingbehind my back...
conspiring to makethis house more expensive
and less re-saleable.
Unless you can bringthis guy in line,
we are goingin whole nother direction.
A million dollars--that's insane.
- Oh!
- Drew,what are you doing?
You're getting paintall over the floor!
- It's an art studio.That happens.
- How can youhear yourself think?
- I'm not thinking.
Don't do that!This is my room!
- What has gotten into you?
Why are you making such a mess?- Because I want to.
Miles gave mea big sheet of paper,
and I'm having fun.
Is that allowed?
- Oh, so, what?Now he's your muse?
Is that it?
- I designed it in a sequenceof natural curves,
to flow inand out of the landscape.
The contractor saysit's impractical.
As if I had intendedpracticality.
- We don't have to go backto the drawing board.
We just have to bringdown the cost.
- Why?
Years from now, when you'reenjoying your beautiful home,
you won't even rememberhow much it cost.
- There must be wayswe can save.
- Sure, sure.
Take out the structural glass,put in a wall.
Lose out the stone,carpet throughout.
Replace the titaniumwith, God forbid, stucco!
With a painter or sculptor,
you wouldn't daresuggest alternatives,
but an architect hasto put up with anything!
Imagine trying to finda replacement
for the touchand feel of titanium...
the fabric of our lives.
It's too badthat clients today
aren't the committed patronsof the past.
Now it's allabout return on investment.
- You really thinkthat's my motivation?
- It's your work, too.
You're advocatingcutting your own ideas.
You're submittingto arbitrary power,
which has always,throughout history,
crushed human sensibilityand truth.
You've been colonized.
- Every projecthas its limits.
- You'll just have to findcreative solutions.
- Fewer windows,uh, less square footage overall,
big reductionin the structural glass--
that's significant--
no Quietstone.- Wow.
I'm glad you've been ableto cut corners.
- There are no corners.
- I mean, it looks likeyou've made a genuine effort.
- I want my clientsto be happy.
- Mike,any other suggestions?
- You could replacethe titanium with stucco.
- Never.
The Stone Housewill not be stucco!
- I do like that--the Stone House.
- Well, I'll, uh, runthis latest revision by the subs
and get the final numbers.
The cost reductionswill be significant, I think,
but I have to say,
it will still be morethan your original budget.
- Well, hopefullysubsequent generations
will find that the Stone Housewas worth the extra expense.
- That's a yes.
- - Come on, honey.
Oh!
both: Oh!
- Ooh!- Oh!
- Thank you.
- Whoo!- Yay!
- Oh, it will bea very quiet house
if it's just the two of you.
How old are you now,honey--39, 40?
- I thought you saidyou never ask a woman's age.
- Colin'sgetting up there too.
You should takesome precautions.
I've been doinga little research.
We know a very good doctorwho can help you.
He has a wonderful facilitywith an emergency backup system
in casethere's a power outage.
And his practiceisn't so big
that you'd get lostin the shuffle.
You know, if you'd like,I could make an appointment,
and then you could,you know, go over
and freeze some spermor harvest one or two eggs,
and, you know,you wouldn't have to worry.
You'd have a backup plan, youknow, just in case you need it.
- Mom, is that dinnerconversation--sperm and eggs?
- I'm sorry, honey.You're right.
- And can we losethis flower arrangement?
I can't see around it,over it.
- They're beautiful.They're from our garden.
- I know that,but I can't have a conversation.
- And, you know, sweetheart,when the time is right,
I know a wonderfulRussian nanny
who costs a lot lessthan you would think.
- Aren't you gettinga little ahead of yourself?
- I'm just trying to help, okay?- I appreciate that.
- She's gonna need her own room.You might as well plan for that.
- We're not buildinga separate bedroom
for a potential nanny
to take careof potential children.
- Right.
The nanny can stayin the study.
- How many bedrooms total?
- They're sleeping spaces.- Huh?
- There--there's one true bedroom
and a space for a daybed.
- Daybed?What's a daybed?
You're spending a lot of money
for a housewith only one bedroom?
You're nuts!- Okay, Joseph.
It's not your house. Let themmake their own mistakes.
- The architectureis really quite special.
He's--he's a genius.
- Genius.Genius does not design
a million-dollar housewith one bedroom.
- I just don't understand
why you didn't useElizabeth's brother-in-law.
- The space for the daybed
could easily be turnedinto a bedroom.
We just add a doorand a closet.
- We can't make any changeswithout consulting Miles.
- It's our house, Drew.
- You close that big holein the ceiling,
you'll probably have roomfor a couple more bedrooms.
- Yeah, but tiny.
- No, that area is partof the staircase.
It's--it'sthe main design feature.
- Hmm. Looks likewasted space to me.
- Well, you know, you couldmaybe squeeze in
another bathroom here.
Oh, and if you push outthe kitchen wall there,
you know,you could have a little mudroom
for when the childrencome in from playing.
- Can't they just wipetheir little feet on the mat?
- If we're gonna make changes,now is the time to do it.
- Boy, you don't look so good.-
I'm gonna be sick.
- It's probablythe shellfish.
We'll all be sick.
- Uh-huh.
Yeah, tax equity investment
equal to present valuedistributions...
discounted at a minimumunlevered target IRR.
Yeah, based on the project'scapacity factor.
Whether or not the partnershipflip structure yields returns.
Right.The two lease structures--
sale leasebackand inverted lease.
Right.
Feeling any better?- Not really.
Sorry I couldn't saygood-bye to your parents.
- They understood.If you're sick, you're sick.
Not muchyou can do about it.
Hmm.
- What are you reading?
- A very interesting analysisof whether a partnership flip
yields higher returnsthan a sale leaseback.
The conclusionis pretty surprising.
- I'm pregnant.
- Are you joking?
Drew, honey.
- Did you get my message?
- Oh, yes.
- And?- You can't change the walls
without changing the structureand supports.
I'd have to revise the plans.
The structural engineerwould have to revise his plans.
And Conway would issue achange-order for the extra cost.
- Yeah, I know, but we needmore bedrooms.
- Why?
- A house this sizeshould have more bedrooms.
It's just common sense.
- Is common our goal?
I don't know why peoplehire architects
and then tell themwhat to do.
- Because it's our house.
- Well, often, the opinion
of the client must bedisregarded for their own good.
- Do--- We're having a baby.
- What?
Really?
Congratulations!
That's great news.- Thank you.
- The space for the daybed
can easily be modified
to make room for the baby.
- Oh, I'm glad you agree,
'cause if we don't start makingsome practical compromises,
we're gonna end upwith a white elephant.
- Oh, really?
Would "Art and Architecture"magazine
put a white elephanton its cover?
- "Art and Architecture"magazine?
- A feature writercalled me yesterday.
The Stone House is a finalistfor their October issue.
- Wow.
- That's pretty good.
- Michael. Mike Stone.
- No.
What about Braydon?
- Braydon?That sounds like a horse.
- I like Joseph.Joseph. Joseph Stone.
- Regular Joe.
- Well...- Wow.
What about Grayson?
- You're just making stuff up.
- Well...
What about Uptonor Hudson...
or Grace?
- That sounds like a law firm--Upton, Hudson, and Grace.
What happened to somethingsimple, like--like Jane?
- - That's pretty. Jane.
- Plain Janeand Average Joe.
- No.- Wow.
Wow.It's fantastic, Miles.
- Incredible.
Let me ask you,can you paint it?
- The titanium?
Why would you wantto do that?
- I'm saying down the road,you know, for a change of pace.
- That's insane.It's--it's beautiful.
It has a 100-year warrantyagainst corrosion.
- Well, it's just...
more silver than I thoughtit would be.
- I love it.
- Gary.
- Ew.
Abigail.
- Yeah, that rollsright off the tongue.
- Oscar.- Oscar?
Wow. Middle schoolwasn't hard enough.
Jeff.
Jeff is not a namefor an adult.
- Jeffrey.
- Imogen.
- Do you want her to hate us?Is that what you want?
I mean, really,if you want to show the world
that you're creative,sweetheart,
do it in a way that doesn't harminnocent bystanders.
- Is that what you thinkI'm doing?
- Kids want to fit in.They don't want to be different.
- What if the childisn't as conservative
and unimaginativeas the father?
- Oh, yeah?W-w-what if he is?
What if he's--what if he'sactually quite capable
o-o-of dealing sensiblyand prudently
with practical matters?
I mean, have you seenthese change orders--
these extras addedby your genius?
The costskeep spiraling upward,
just likethis fucking staircase.
- Why do we always do thingsyour way?
- We don't do thingsmy way, sweetheart.
We do them the right way--with research and planning.
- You claimthere's all this logic,
but it alwaysends up your way.
You argue with me until youwear me down and I give in.
- You know what?You see things wrong.
Sometimes I wish I could just--
I could just reach insideyour head and flip a switch,
you know, just changeyour perspective.
But I guess, you know,we bring different things
to the tableas life partners, right?
I'm good at making money.You're good at spending it.
I'm good at making calculated,
informed decisionsthat yield positive results,
and you're good at making quick,impulsive decisions
and neverthinking twice, right?
What, is it lunch?
- There you go. Good girl.
That's his preschoolmusic teacher at Montessori.
Are you gonna get him?Go get him. Go get him.
- Max has a naturalsense of rhythm.
You should see himin ballet.
- It used to turn me on
when I'd hear him talkabout business.
He was so confident.
It was not confidence.He's just stubborn.
- You're out of your mindto think of leaving Colin.
How much difference does it makewho the guy is, anyway?
Once you have a baby, the guybecomes so much less important.
Do you really think
that you want to beon your own right now?
- How did the relationship workbetween architect and client?
- Ah, truly inspired,a wonderful collaboration,
great chemistrybetween architect and client.
- Oh, good.
- Your details are off.
You obviously haveno field experience.
Your--your construction drawingsare just pretty pictures.
- You're not even usingthe latest set!
These were revised!
- You've changed themso many times,
I don't even knowwhat I'm building anymore!
This is completelyunprofessional.
Let me tell you--I am not losingmoney on this job
based on your incompetence.
My advice to you is learnhow to work with real life!
both: Ooh.
It looks like the chemistry
between architect and contractorisn't quite as good.
- Constructionis very stressful,
and we're usingsome very unusual materials
for a residence--titanium, for example.
- The floating staircaseis impressive.
- It wasa true collaboration.
I was his muse.
- You were his muse?- Don't write that.
- Society needs a good image of itself.
That's the job of the architect.
If a clientwants a house designed,
most architectswill design one,
but a conscientious architect
will ask firstwhy this house is needed.
What is its raison d'être?
- Hmm.- The architect may conclude
we don't need this houseand walk away.
That's why I don't havea lot of clients.
- There seemsto be conflict
between youand the contractor.
- To a man with a hammer,everything looks like a nail.
- Yet another stack of change orders.
I don't pay these by tomorrow,Conway walks off the job.
The cost isout of control, Miles.
It's like you're just--
you defy me and then buildwhatever the hell you want.
- Cost is very simple.It is materials plus labor.
You want a $5 million housefor a million dollars.
How's that my fault?Want me to pay for it myself?
- What are all the extras?- Essential details.
- You said less is more.
- Less is only morewhen more is no good.
And these stairs--I've been thinking about them.
They're just too dangerouswithout a handrail.
- A handrail?
Can you imaginehow ridiculous that would look?
- I'm saying it's dangerous.
I can't believethe Building Department
would even allow it.- They won't.
Creativity is stifled by anoverzealous concern for safety.
We will put intemporary handrail
and remove itafter inspection.
- Isn't that illegal?
- It's your house,not the city's.
- Do you see what I meanabout all this wasted space?
- Wasted space?There is a purpose to beauty.
- If we fill this in,we add two rooms.
- Fill it in?You don't need two more rooms.
- Don't tell me--
How can you beso incredibly arrogant?
- If I have to choosebetween honest arrogance
and hypocritical humility,I choose honesty.
There's no reasonto change it.
- What are you--Oh.
You think--you think you canprove anything by drawing it.
- I prefer drawingto talking.
It's faster,and there are no lies.
Is this what you want--
bisect this spaceand create two rectangles?
- Yes.What's wrong with that?
- For you,maybe nothing, Colon.
You're a rectangular man.
But for Drew, who is fluidand curvaceous,
whose spiritis spontaneous and free,
she can't livein those rooms.
- Do not talkabout my wife like that.
You are crossinga line there.
- Again, there is a line--
a straight line,a line in the sand,
a line thatcan't be crossed!
- All right, you know what?You know what?
I'm not paying another dime.That includes your bill.
- Then I'll file a lienon your property.
- Really?So I should get a lawyer?
Is that where this is headed?
- Where there's a will,there's a lawsuit.
Ignorance of the law
never stopped anyonefrom practicing it.
You wouldn't nickel-and-dimea surgeon, would you?
You respect his knowledge.
You understandthe need for his services.
When I figure the amount of timeI spend on a project,
it works outto about $15 an hour.
I feel likea poor seamstress.
Do you want to knowthe real reason
I didn't puta handrail in, huh?
- It makes it very difficultto catch yourself if you fall.
- Don't you thinkyou're overreacting?
I mean, God, your hormonesare all over the place.
- My hormones?It can't possibly be you.
- I had to fire him.He threatened me physically.
- Miles Moss?
- Where are you--where are you going?
You're eight monthspregnant.
You are the leastpractical woman I know.
- I need to be alone.
- Why do you never rememberthe good times?
We never--
We're having a stressful time,but we have good times, Drew.
Last year, in Mexico--
Remember, we walkedinto the hotel lobby,
and the mariachi bandwas playing our song?
- Our song?What song is that?
- How can you not knowwe have a song?
- I feel like we'rein two different marriages.
What songare you talking about?
- "My Heart Will Go On"...
from the "Titanic" movie.
- This is whywe can't be together.
- Drew, don't do this.
Don't do this.
Look, a marriagecannot always be exciting
and inspiring, you know.
You settle in,and you get comfortable.
That's normal.
I'm a good guy.
I'm doing everythingI'm supposed to do.
I'm stable, emotionallyand financially,
more than you know.
There is nothingwrong with us.
Why do you invent problemswhere none exist?
- I'm suffocating.
If you find yourselftrapped in a box with no air,
you don't ask permission.
You just cut a holeso you can breathe.
- I don't understand that.- No, you don't. You don't.
- Drew, don't--
Come here, please.
Come here.
Don't do this.
We'll finish the house, okay?
We'll finishthe house your way,
but then, please...
let's get this nut caseout of our lives.
- Drew?
Drew?
- So cute.
Our philosophy is that children
should love comingand love learning.
If they don't jump outof the car and run right in,
we want to know about it.
Now let me show youthe children's cubbies.
- Putnam Hatch.- Yes.
- I was in your house.
- You were in my house?
- The Hatch Houseon Fulton Road.
- What were you doingin my house?
- Miles Moss showed me around.
- Who is Miles Moss?
- The architectwho designed your house?
- The architect who designedmy house was Leo Sullivan.
- Yeah, that's right--Sullivan and Moss.
- No, that's not right.
That was James Moss,Sullivan's business partner.
Look, I don't knowwho your friend is,
and I don't knowhow he got access to my house,
but if either of youcomes back,
I'm gonna haveyou arrested.
- Hi.
- Who designedthe Hatch House?
- What?
- Why doesn't Putnam Hatchknow you?
- W-what are youtalking about?
- I just met him.
He doesn't know you.
- That's not true.
Why do you have the keysto his house?
- Why are you asking meall of these questions?
- I don't knowwho you are.
I don't knowwhat's going on.
Did you or did you notdesign that house?
- We all workedon it together.
- Who's "we"?
- Sullivan,my father, and me.
Come on, come sit down.Sit down, sit down.
- I left Colin.
- That's great news!
We don't need himanymore!
- What?
- The houseis almost finished.
The--the bank will make sureit's completed
even if Colin stops paying.
- I thought you'd bea little more sympathetic
and a little less ambitious.
- I'm sorry.You're right. I'm...
Being totally selfish.
You're contemplating makinga big life change, and...
I'm worryingabout finishing the house.
It's just thatthe magazine people
are coming to take photosand finish the story.
We made the coverof "Art and Architecture."
You can build a careerout of that.
- I thoughtyou had a career.
- It could be better.
- This is your first house,isn't it?
- We make a great team, Drew.
Maybe we could livehere together...
you, me and the baby.
- Oh, no. You don't--Don't--don't look at that.
Don't look at that.Don't--
It's not--
"Best graduate design projectof 2002."
Oh.- Drew, I'm sorry.
I had to getthe house built.
It's a good design, Drew.
Please.
I've had a long timeto think about it.
- Drew?
Drew?
Oh, no.
Drew!
Please.
Drew, forgive me.- Aah!
- I could never get anyof my projects built.
I spent countless years
designing handicap-accessiblebathrooms...
Drew, I never met the rightclient until I met you.
You're the one.We had the same inspiration!
It's possible!Drew, please!
Drew!
Aah!
- Oh.
Oh.
Ugh.
She painted the titanium.
- That's gonnavoid the warranty.
- The color's calledGrandma's refrigerator.
It's on the chart I submitted.
It's all planned out.
I-I-I can't makean impulsive decision
while climbing a ladder.
Hold on.Where's the color chart?
I have the chart right here--
Dill pickle, dead salmon,dog's ear, baby's bottom,
Grandma's refrigerator.
He's not sure about the yellow.
He's confused
because his grandma'srefrigerator was white.
Can you talk to him?
- Frank?- Yeah.
- Take Imogen.- Imogen.
- Hey, Frank.Hi. It's Colin.
Yeah, I know.
I know. My grandmother'srefrigerator was green.
It's just the name the companygave the paint color.
It doesn't mean anything.
No. Look, she startedanother job.
She's bookedfor the rest of the year.
Let me explain something.
Drew's an artist.She's not a painting contractor.
You don't get to choosethe color.
It's not repairand maintenance.
Well, she's not tryingto please everyone.
She's trying to move them,you know,
draw themout of their comfort zone,
make them think and feel.
Her work isvery mysterious Frank.
It's compellingand surprising.
Just sit with it for a while.
Let Drew do her thing,
and I'm sure that you'll bevery happy in the end, okay?
Okay. Bye.
- Thank you.
- Here, take that.I got to take her for a nap.
- Yes.- Hmm?
Come here.Come here.
A littleGrandma's refrigerator there.
All right, you, here we go.
Whee!Oh, boy.
- Bye!- Oh, boy.