Max Underwood

Exemplary professional practice grows out of individuals who are present and engaged fully in life.  Through research and observation, one comes to really understand the passion at the core of their being for what they do and how they do it.  Their work is an act of turning their insides out, of giving their essence voice. 

There are four interdependent aspects to my professional life as teacher, researcher and practitioner that give voice to my essence.  They are as follows:

Collaborative visioning of future community commissions

I believe that taking an active and contributing role in ones community, assisting in the creation and maintenance of an environment that sustains and supports well being, is the responsibility of all professionals.  For my 36 years as a teaching architect at ASU, my studios have under taken over 50 collaborative visioning projects in the local community that subsequently evolved into commissions for local professionals.  Each applied research and design project has enabled the students to educate the client, helping them to understand the rich potential of their project, while involving future "architects" in the real issues of contemporary practice within the local community. 

Evolution of contemporary materials and tectonics  

Growing up building things in our family’s garage “workshop,” and honing my skills in the Office of Charles and Ray Eames exploring new materials for furniture applications, it is no surprise that the second aspect of my teaching focuses on the investigation of new materials and tectonics. In recent years, one of the most  influential and vital forces within architectural practice has been the global revolution of new materials, methods of fabrication, and innovative construction delivery systems.  Highlights of my funded research include workshops, lectures, and publications such as "Innovation: Lessons from Japan and the United States on Challenging New Technologies" (with Dana Buntrock).  In addition, students in my construction seminar have become directly involved with many of today’s great building practices through a speculative working drawing exercise which places them on the construction sites of these architects, negotiating similar problems that they struggle with daily and overcome with grace.

Great  practice

The third aspect involves the investigation of exemplary professional practice.  Any profession is marked by rare individuals whose prophetic vision, revolutionary ideas, and masterworks that have enriched our world.  Each of these conscious practitioners were and are focused, resilient, and skilled at honoring their talent and intuition.  Careful and in depth study of their practice methodology has allowed them to become more fully alive for me, in turn enabling me to give them life and meaning to others.  In particular, it is my hope that the presentation of these great practices in both academic and professional settings will constitute a model for achieving a personal and professional life that holds lasting meaning and value.  Highlights of my funded research include seminars, lectures, symposiums, exhibitions, films and publications on the great practices of Tadao Ando, Luis Barragan, Al Beadle, Louis Kahn, Peter Zumthor, and the Office of Charles and Ray Eames. 

Professional research practice

Work in any recognized professional practice that integrates young student collaborators is intense and pricelessly rewarding.   The projects undertaken are mentally and physically absorbing, challenging and demanding for everyone involved.  Once under way, the level of excitement and motivation to explore the potential connections can be contagious and fuel the overall level of inquiry and production.  Such is the case with Underwood Crisp (1995-2006 Max Underwood and Barbara Crisp).  The focus of our transdisciplinary work in architecture, design and urban planning addressed a diversity of cultural voices, environments, and design which supports and sustains both individual and collective well-being within our contemporary world.  Highlights of our collaborative design work includes, transforming healthcare environments (University of Arizona Program in Integrated Medicine, Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center Healing Garden), transforming communities (ASU West Campus plan, Village of Rosa Vista), and providing spaces of introspection (John Cage Trust, Lewis Painting studio, Aravaipa Canyon bed breakfast).  The overall quality of our practice is exemplified by our NeoCon Gold Medal for Innovation (Logos textile collection), the National Center for Health Design Award (Good Samaritan Healing Garden), Orchid Award and two Valley Forward Awards for Environmental Excellence (Healing Garden and Sensory Garden).

"It doesn't matter what path we take, we have to remain curious and fearless.  We have to look at the world and question what we see.  We have to be unafraid to say no and change what is unacceptable.  Each of us has the responsibility to do it."

            Stephen Spielberg, Commencement address, University of Southern California (1994).