Today we’d like to introduce you to Rene Salas.
Rene, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I cannot take for granted just how lucky I have been that my dedication to understanding the impact of architecture and urbanism on communities, has lead to a fruitful career as a designer. While I grew up in a poor Hispanic neighborhood, on the south side of San Antonio, and attended a school district that had its own financial and performance challenges, to put it lightly, I was surrounded by family and teachers that supported the community as much as they could. Upon graduating high school, my drafting teacher graciously gave me a phone number to a friend of his who managed an architectural firm. That summer, I was hired at that firm making minimum wage. Little did I know, that I was not there to help in their work, rather, I was to help their contractor install insulation and drywall at their new office building. But my foot was in the door. I stuck it out and ended up working there as a draftsman while I took classes at a local community college, San Antonio College. After many years of working and going to school part-time, I graduated with a B.S. Architecture from the University of Texas, San Antonio. During this time, I worked for a number of architecture firms but it was at the office of Michael G. Imber Architects where I began to understand the importance of tradition, or in other words, the ways in which knowledge is transmitted from generation to generation. I knew I wanted to further understand the traditional aspects of architecture, which meant I had to leave the only place I’ve called home and applied to the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture.
In spite of my mediocre grades, I was accepted and enrolled in the graduate program that would drastically change my perception of the world and how I could play an impactful role within it. The humanistic qualities of place, the traditions that we find valuable, the organization of the stage upon which we play out our lives, is there for us to influence and mold into aspects of society that can help bring about a better life for us all. I have now found myself on a journey of architecture, urbanism, communities and culture; in Atlanta, working within an architectural firm that shares these values, Historical Concepts: Architecture & Planning. I now spend my days studying the architectural cultural contexts of the projects we engage with, as I design new structures that hopefully contribute toward the identity of a place. Everyone should be able to live in a community that they can identify with and be proud of. One such project, that some colleagues and I have put together, is on the rebuilding of the Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral. In our proposal, we have tried to capture many of the ideas that are important to placemaking. We have conceptualized these ideas as the Rebuilding of the Heart, the Mind, and the Hand. You can read more at www.aVisionForNotreDame.com.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I have certainly gone through many personal, financial, and professional hardships. But looking back, I think what got me through them was realizing that determination and optimism are choices we make about ourselves. Choosing to decide who I want to be, and what sort of mindset I want to have, was liberating. But the real effort was in the many years after that choice, in the continued reinforcement of those good habits and patterns until one day I no longer had to remind myself. The details of the struggles of my past have become less important to me as the largest hurdle was responding to such challenges by looking for the silver linings, finding the lessons learned, and being in control of my own reactions. It is also very important to cultivate the relationships of family and friends because the community is nourishing.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Historical Concepts: Architecture & Planning – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Historical Concepts produces original works of architecture informed by the classical tradition and the lessons of historic precedent. When we undertake a project, we concern ourselves with the authentic character of the place and work with builders and craftsmen who have the expertise to realize an enduring work of art. Every day I go into work proud that we are working towards the highest forms of architecture for our clients and for the communities they reside within. Our internal design process is unique in the industry, as we feel that our projects benefit from periodic collaborative sprints that take input from many team members that have varied backgrounds and a wide range of creativity and knowledge to draw from. The culture of Historical Concepts is largely based on recognizing the strength of everyone on our team.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
In the near future, I am looking forward to completing my travel research for the Georgia Trust 2019 J. Neel Reid Prize. I recently spent a few weeks undergoing a ‘Tour de France’ where I was visiting and documenting the works of the Compagnon du Devoir throughout France. They are a guild that has been in continuous development since the 9th century and are the craftsmen and builders of France’s most important monuments, like the Notre Dame Cathedral. What I hope to understand are their advanced drawing and building techniques and the cultural mechanisms that have allowed such a craft to endure for so long. If we wish to develop a highly advanced building culture, for ourselves, we could learn quite a bit from this society. I will be delivering a presentation of my findings to the Georgia Trust in the spring of 2020.
Contact Info:
- Address: 490 Brasfield Square
Atlanta, GA 30316 - Website: https://www.historicalconcepts.com/
- Phone: (678) 325-6665
- Email: inquiries@historicalconcepts.com
- Instagram: @historicalconcepts
- Personal Instagram: @_renesalas_
Image Credit:
Jeff Hurr, Richard Johnson, Rene Salas
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