A Eulogy for Liz Pocock

But there was yet another mentor to follow, a client, not an architect, Liz Pocock. A few years ago, when we were deciding how a new building to house chronically homeless folks should present itself to the street, Liz gazed over a number of design iterations and pointed to one of them. She remarked, with an irresistible smile, “THAT building design has window awnings that look just like butterfly wings!

She intuitively appreciated that future residents and their neighbors would recognize the reference and viscerally understand what the project was about… Rebirth.

After all, butterflies originate as caterpillars living on the ground until through a process of transformation, they sprout wings that lift them up and away.

Liz’s insight set her up as a mentor to all of us who were trying to build something that would elevate the dignity and personal pride of residents as well as engender respect from surrounding neighbors.

Her lesson expanded on the famous phrase “Form follows Function!” It dawned on us that Liz’s remark referenced how a building’s presence has the capacity to function as a symbol… in this case, of renewed hope.

Liz would often favor poetic over prosaic design solutions, as a means of conveying higher social value. She’d say, “We need a curved, movable window wall to remodel this existing, dull community dining room into a lively place for our residents… if it seems to cost too much, let’s at least try for it!” She was a rare type of so-called “bean-counter!”

I confess to loving and admiring her, for her creative sensitivity always led with:

How about…

Why not…

Let’s try!

Thanks Liz