Design Your Life.

A shared vision for the world. Not just a shared vision, but one so precise and so strong, that one can articulate it in the most accurate of measurements. This is the role of an architect. This Slug Story is about a man who I have had the pleasure of witnessing dedicate his life to building out his vision for the world. This Slug Story documents none other than architect, and exceptional human-being, Noah Seni Villeroel.

A Purposeful Accidental Meeting.

“You gotta meet Noah. He’s an architect. You guys would get along perfectly.” These are the things I heard from friends about Noah V. Coming from Staten Island, I did not know many people in the creative field. In fact, before architecture school, I didn’t know one architect. And now, I was hearing about someone who was both. I ended up meeting Noah for the first time though in a completely happenstance situation. I was having a meeting with a mentor of mine‘s friend and Noah was in his office. We developed a very open and deep friendship right away. In the early stages of one’s career, you don’t know what the fuck is going on. You have this burning passion to do something and this hierarchical structure standing in your way. Conversations of freedom, passion, creativity, vulnerability, and life were the themes of our discussions. Small talk really ain’t for architects. So, for Noah’s Slug Story, we decided to do what we always have said we wanted to do: get away from the desk, go out into the city, and observe beautiful architecture.

Out of Office.

We decided to venture onto The Highline one brisk November afternoon. The Highline is home to some of the most beautiful, interesting, avant-garde apartments in the city. A converted railway into public landscape project, there are incredible avenue views, many moments to sit and relax, and nice people watching. Given it was freezing out, we didn’t spend too much time sitting, but we did spend a great time relaxing, pointing out things in the buildings (like Zaha’s out of this world curvatures), and experiencing the city together.

Danke.

After we left, Noah and I went to a German beer garden in the Meatpacking District. After a pint or two, we broke out into a beautiful conversation. A conversation that zoomed us out. One that reflected on how far we’ve come. Architecture and design can be quite painful at times. When you’re so deep into the minutia of a project, you can completely lose track of the bigger picture. That night, we cheered to where we have been, where we are now, and where we dream to go.

And with ourselves in each other's corners, I am confident we will get there, building our world.

Watch Next Slug Story

Noah V.

Building Up.