This past week, we’ve featured several of Jeffrey Durkin’s videos, such as Lindsay Brown’s ideas for the SD Waterfront and Miki Iwasaki’s philosophy on furniture design, architecture and society. This video highlights Jonathan Segal, a San Diego developer and architect, who focuses on urban projects such as high-density residence, mixed use, and live/work units.
More about the video after the break.
Segal, who originally wanted to open a”traditional” firm, quickly realized he would prefer being a developer so that he could control the design and construction. Whereas traditionally, contractors may try to eliminate design from an economic standpoint and developers are not typically educated in urban housing or design, since Segal is rooted in architecture, design is a critical component of all his projects. Plus, the firm is able to focus all their energy into these projects, allowing them to “shortcut the process by not having a client” to create less drawing and focus more on design.
The documentary continues to explore Segal’s approach to designing and constructing sustainable cities in addition to his take on saving existing buildings and not practicing urban removal. By acknowledging San Diego’s history, Segal’s housing takes the historic essence and incorporates a contemporary architecture.
“We, in our process by being architect-contractor-and-developer, control the buildings and make it a better place,” explained Segal.
