Dreams and Schemes

About the Book

Dreams and Schemes: Stories of People and Architecture is a non-fiction book about an architect as he learns his profession through his encounters with the many different people involved in the design and construction of buildings. It is filled interesting experiences as it describes through the use of more than 70 true stories, the broad spectrum of people with whom an architect may interact during the course of his/her practice. These include clients, partners, builders, consultants, union officials, lawyers, building department employees, government workers, foreign building officials, students, and the owners and users of the buildings. Each encounter is a learning experience, relating to some major or minor event in architecture, and almost always exposing some related human emotion or condition. The stories vary widely in content and serve as windows into the lives of people as they deal with each other, their architects or the many others involved in thecomplex process of turning dreams into reality. It is these many experiences that fill the book with interest and insights into the people involved in creating their built environment.

Why write an architectural book about people? Because people are at the essential core of architecture. Without people there would not be architecture. Unlike a painter or sculptor who can practice their art alone their studio, the architect needs people to whom to respond. Yet very little has been written about this most important element of architectural practice. This book takes the reader on a journey through a life in architecture, sharing with them the emotional highs and lows that an architect may experience in his/her day-to-day working with people of varied backgrounds and desires in this creative art. The author is convinced that this human factor involved in the creation of architecture is central to its success and is quite often more interesting than the building that results.

Each chapter in the book is filled with personal anecdotes gathered from the author´s more than 50 years in architecture as a practitioner, government official, teacher and consultant. The story topics will appeal to a wide range of interest. For readers interested in the world around them, the book will be revealing of how the built enironment is created and how it affects and is influenced by people. For architects and those entering the profession, the chapters will provide understandings of the thought processes of those with whom they interact. For clients, builders and building-users, they will find a further understanding of the design and construction process. And everyone should find fascination in seeing how others live their lives.

About the Author

David R. Dibner is an architect with more than 50 years experience as a private practitioner, a government official in charge of design and construction, and an adjunct professor of architecture. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, he is the published author of several books and many articles on various phases of architecture. He has served as chair for several committees of the National Research Council. He has traveled extensively in connection with his work, often as a government representative exchanging ideas with foreign building officials. Throughout his professional life he has emphasized the human side of architecture – an art in response to the needs of people. With this focus, combined with an unusual ability to make his experiences come alive by storytelling, he is able to communicate the excitement and human interest of his profession.