Mangum506 is the first new construction, mixed-use residential project to be constructed in downtown Durham. It includes 21 residential units, along with 4 ground-level retail units. The focus of the project is to provide affordable, cool designs with a variety of floor plans and unit sizes.

AUGUST 2010
SCOTT HARMON (1962-)

Born in Atlanta GA, Scott Harmon attended Rice University School of Architecture from 1981-1988 and interned with Robert A.M. Stern in New York in 1986.  In 1992, Scott moved to Durham and worked at City Planning and Architectural Associates in Chapel Hill with Don Stewart, Bob Anderson and Ralph Lasater.  He left to start J. Scott Harmon Architect in 2000.  In 2004, Scott and David Arneson started Center Studio Architecture where they continue to work today.  Center Studio’s work includes numerous houses, as well as significant loft, restaurant, office, and mixed-use projects in downtown Durham.

My mind is like a bad neighborhood and I ought not go there by myself.

Mark Twain said, “I’m an old man and I’ve known many troubles, most of which never happened.

Left to my own devices, I’m likely to gravitate toward fear and its inevitable companion…control.  Life is not this tidy, and the opportunities that will make the greatest difference in my life are not likely to present themselves without the help of others (see: evolve, below).

Starting my own business required good therapy.

What they won’t teach you in business school (and CERTAINLY not architecture school) is that starting one’s own business is the most certain way possible to bring to the forefront every character flaw, weakness, unresolved childhood issue, and 12-step-qualifying obsession one has.   All at once.  No foreplay.  No organized to-do-list.  Everything.  Face them or run.

Architects don’t fail in business because they make crappy buildings.  They fail because they don’t know how to market themselves.

I actually learned this one from our esteemed host, George Smart.  Some of you may not know that, as a business consultant, he’s coached many an architect.  Listen to him.  He’s right.

Charge extra for ugly.

This one’s easy for most of us.

Give clients all the information they need to make good decisions.

This one’s hard for most of us.  A client who’s remotely willing to pay the fee I’d like to charge has a right to expect this.  Design and construction are fraught with competing resources, endless variables, compromises, bad news, and of course…opportunity and vision.  When I present this in a way that empowers a client to exercise good judgment, I’m bringing meaningful value to the process.

Make sure my clients love me when the process is over.

I can’t tell you how much trouble I’ve avoided with this simple rule.  I’m reminded of one client that I fired early in the process.  I told her, “remember when I said I wanted to make sure you loved me when this process is over?  Well…the only way that’s going to happen is if you hire another architect.”  We still see each other and hug all the time.  Most dysfunctional client I’ve ever had, and we avoided disaster.

This rule is also good to keep in mind when the inevitable conflict comes up and we fuss over fees, services, and mistakes.  I try to keep my eye on the prize and pick my battles carefully.

Know and love my weaknesses.

I was raised to learn as much as I could, play my strengths and hide my weaknesses.  My parents couldn’t help it…they wanted me to succeed.  But it’s not possible to hide them (see: …good therapy, above).  The more comfortable and candid I am with my weaknesses, the more likely I am to surround myself with colleagues and partners who strengthen and compliment them.  Entrepreneurship is much more enjoyable in this context.

Some things are worth crying over.

Unfortunately, I’m hard-wired to avoid pain and sadness, which are both inevitable.  I’m never happy with the outcome of this strategy.  When I lost my Mom in 2005 I learned that some things are supposed to hurt.  Life’s wonder and joy are far more complete when I don’t run from difficulty.

I can’t have integrity unless I’m willing to disappoint someone.

I get into lots of trouble when I focus on your goals instead of mine.  Don’t think this lesson is in conflict with “…make sure my clients love me…”, above.  It’s not.  I can disappoint you and we can still love one another.

Evolve.

Here I come back to the first lesson.  Control and fear are certain to keep me locked away in my own mind with the world around me growing smaller and narrower and more terrifying.

Change.  Trust.  Evolve.  Grow.  For it to really make a difference, it can’t be of my own design.  It has to come from something greater than me.

Being entrepreneurs of a small business ourselves, we bring more than just design and technical expertise to these project clients. What is the essential goal of your business? Who are your clients? How do you market to them and attract their business? How will you meet their expectations? What do the feel and experience when they walk in your door? Does your space or building support your efforts, or get in the way?

Our involvement at the community level is integral to our business. We volunteer our time and expertise to interface with non-profits, the City of Durham, and other businesses in order to strengthen the entire community.

This June marks the fifth anniversary of Center Studio Architecture. Architects David Arneson and Scott Harmon created the studio on June 1st, 2004.

After almost a year working from their respective homes, the studio was given its first official home at 315 E. Chapel Hill Street in downtown Durham. The vintage 60’s office building was then headquarters of the Mutual Community Savings Bank.

In August 2006, with the advent of its first full-time employee, the studio moved to its current location at 339 W Main Street, the historic Five Points Loan Company building. Now totaling six, the studio includes Will Rhodenhiser, Chris Bozzelli, Dawn Bland, and Tom Merrigan.

The practice includes a mix of custom residential design, along with numerous commercial and mixed-use projects in downtown, including The King’s Daughters Inn, Aliva’s Durham Bistro, Vert & Vogue, The Studebaker Building, Ogilvy, Penny Furniture, and Mangum 506 Condominiums.

Toast, the studio’s most recent restaurant design, will be the host for the studio’s five-year anniversary celebration on Friday, June 5th, from 5pm – 9pm. In addition to the famous Five Points Martini (a pomegranate wonder invented by the studio at its grand opening party in 2006), Billy and Kelli Cotter will debut the new Five Points Crostini, created to perfectly compliment the martini.

Center Studio loves Durham, loves downtown, and appreciates all the ways we have been supported by our clients and the community.