PowerHouse™ Design Point-of-View

From Design Principal John Rossi

"Good design should be for everyone

It drives me crazy that houses are built the same way today they were built one hundred and thirty years ago. Building a home is something all Americans aspire to – it’s the American Dream - but the way we build is antiquated. For many of us, it is our single biggest investment and a measure of our personal success and yet the method we use wastes time, material, money, and energy. It drives me even more crazy that conventional wisdom tells us good design is only for those who can “afford” it. Good design shouldn’t just be for the people who can pay a specialized team. Good design should not be – is not – a luxury. Good design is necessary.

Good design does good things

Good design happens when intent, material, light and space come together and sizzle. Good design furthers our thinking, innovates, and demonstrates that new processes are possible. A good design performs well, functions brilliantly, looks and feels good and appropriate in a way that makes you proud and does no harm. In short, good design is design that does good.

Good design is mysterious, yet familiar

Good design is like good wine, you may not always know all the details about why, but you’re able to recognize it when you encounter it. I come from a family of stone masons and builders and they instilled in me a respect for craftsmanship and a love of materials. Raising a family of my own made me determined to do something I could talk about with pride, to set an example for my children, and make my working hours (when I have to be away from my family) worthwhile on multiple levels. I want my sons to understand that work can be excellent, do some good, and be fun. They have reminded me about a child’s sense of wonder – a willingness to be fascinated – and reminded me that I never want to lose this. I have realized that I have a role, however small, in what kind of world my children will inherit."

~ John Rossi, Design Partner