Archaeo Architects
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Archaeo Architects is an architectural firm located in Santa Fe, New Mexico doing important work to preserve the ancient cultures that originally settled in the U.S. state of New Mexico.
“Archaeo Architects” was formed by Jon Dick, founder and principal. In 1996, the boutique firm was born with a sincere reverence for what has come before. Inspired by ancient architecture and its characteristic lean simplicity, with a keen interest in early vernacular, this studio’s residential designs speak to the desert’s regional flavor capturing the elusive mystery surrounding the “oneness” between site and structure.
Multi-degreed, Jon earned his undergraduate education in architecture from the University of Idaho and proceeded to earn his Master of Architecture degree from Cornell University. He was the proverbial urban dweller in Manhattan after graduate school and received his early training, mentored at some of the best architecture and interior design firms in the world building high-rises and commercial projects. Through this process he discovered his true passion: contemporary custom residential design.
His roots brought him back to the West, as he was born in the high-desert town of Winnemucca, Nevada. Practicing in New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and Colorado he found solace and inspiration in the open dramatic landscape that is the Southwest. His love for New Mexico clearly shows in his custom home designs, which are carefully integrated into the desert environment highlighted by its twilight skies of cobalt blue. The idea of “sculpting” light comes into play in all of Jon’s work as this is a defining element he incorporates in every residential design – his mantra, “light is form,” describes his design philosophy as well.
Jon conveys, “Our lives may have progressed technologically but we have lost something fundamentally basic in our spiritual connection to the earth. Staying in tune with ourselves within nature is what is important.” Santa Fe is an old “walking city” based upon the Spanish “plaza” concept with winding streets and narrow walkways, which hearken directly back to an urban precedent. Not formulaic regarding any one style, the firm develops a successful marriage of site, client, light and environment – creating a humane yet dramatic, expressive space within these parameters. Designing to embrace sensory aspects, he first gleans the “unmeasurable desires” that a client wants in a new home – it may simply be the natural sound of trickling water or the scent of native pinon trees. When Jon creates for his well-informed clientele it is as though his cutting-edge designs ascend from the ground. Authentic wood and stone materials are masterfully assembled with superior craftsmanship and the firm closely supervises the construction process to ensure the desired outcome.
One custom project was designed for a 25-acre site. The firm had the opportunity of naming the road leading to the residence: “Sendero de Luz” meaning “path of light” connoting an intangible aesthetic one can only see to appreciate. A central courtyard is the true axis of the home, relating to the arc of the sun with the home essentially wrapping around this sun-drenched focal point. The legendary Louis Kahn is one of Jon’s greatest influences and this desert home uses light as a form-defining element, the essence of his work. The utter simplicity of each design is difficult to execute and all-important details require meticulous craftsmanship with zero tolerance for error. Integrating technology such as air conditioning systems must be unobtrusive and virtually seamless to maintain a serene atmosphere in the space. Jon does not shy away from design challenges like this and instead, relishes them. He notes that architecture continues to be a humbling profession but the possibilities are endless.
Completely immersed in custom residential design during the past eight years, the firm has received 16 local and state AIA awards as well as other notable accolades. Archaeo’s work can be seen in Western Interiors and Design, Fine Homebuilding, Phoenix Home & Garden, Santa Fean, Santa Fe Trend, Su Casa, Sources + Design magazines and several books including The Simple Home by Sarah Nettleton.
In a secluded studio along the Santa Fe River, one can find this quiet architect and his creative associates designing under the spell of a Gregorian chant reverberating in the background. His pure Zen-like approach to design embodies knowing when to stop, celebrating restraint; an evolving modern-day minimalist who deeply respects the past.
[edit] Source
Jon Dick, 2003,archaeoarchitects.com,010207,www.archaeoarchitects.com
