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Have you heard of Michael Graves, the renowned postmodernist architect whose iconic journey began in Princeton, NJ?

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Today marks what would have been his 91st birthday.

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Though Michael Graves himself is no longer with us, his legacy endures. His firm, Michael Graves Architecture, continues to thrive with ten offices across the country, carrying forward his visionary work.

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Two of his works I've experienced are the Walt Disney World Swan (right) and Dolphin (left) hotels.

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Two other buildings I've seen from the outside are the Denver Central Library in Denver, Colorado, and the Humana Building in Louisville, Kentucky.

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One I would have liked to have seen is the Snyderman House in Fort Wayne, IN (near where my father grew up).

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After 25 years, the Snydermans sold the house in 1999 to developers planning to demolish it for a housing project.

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Fort Wayne officials blocked the plan under pressure from preservation groups. A non-profit then tried to raise funds to buy the house and land, which the developers had allowed to fall into disrepair.

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The house burned to the ground on July 30, 2002 (suspected arson). 🤔

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The real reason I'm writing about Michael Graves isn't found on his Wikipedia page. I bring this up to let you know that he fancied himself a painter.

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When he started his practice, Graves insisted on incorporating paintings in all his buildings. Inspired by Le Corbusier, he painted murals in the houses he designed.

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In an interview with the New Jersey Monthly, he shared, "People would say, 'He's a trained painter, but he's doing architecture.'" Apparently, he was able to overcome that.

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Graves is not the only creative individual I've encountered with a passion for painting. In fact, Benjamin Tabolt (CO), the Immediate Past President of AIBD, has frequently taken to the canvas, showcasing his artistic flair.

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Our recent ARDA Awards Dinner MC, Allen Beaumont, FAIBD (FL), is not only a skilled host but also a talented painter.

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Larry Stephenson, CPBD (TX), a dedicated member of our High-Performance Homes Team, often features one of his creations in the background during his on-screen appearances.

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I know that some of you reading this are photographers, have green thumbs, build furniture, and I could go on.

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Another past AIBD president, Kevin Holdridge, used masking tape and shoe polish to repurpose old bottles, a skill his grandfather taught him.

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There is evidence that hobbies can be beneficial for both mental and physical health.

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Hobbies provide a sense of purpose, allow for creative expression, and offer opportunities for social connection.

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I can use some inspiration. Currently, I'm hobbyless (it appears that's a word).

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In the past, I've enjoyed skydiving, golfing, triathlons, and most recently, championship bar-b-quing. It's time to learn something new.

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What do you do when you're not doing what you do? That's the topic of discussion at this Friday's Coffee With Bernie.

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I'll be attending, and I'd love to hear about your hobby, or hobbies, and how you got started.

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You'll find the link to attend at AIBD.org/Tuesday-at-2.

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I came across the quote above and discovered that Ben recently crafted a pipe by hand. (Swipe right to see his process!)

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What better time than summertime to think about starting, reviving, or just plain enjoying a hobby?

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Let's talk about it!

• Coffee With Bernie
• Friday, July 11, 2025, 10:00 am ET
• ​AIBD.org/Tuesday-at-2​

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Until then, go forth and design boldly,

Steve Mickley, Executive Director

Email: steve.mickley@AIBD.org​

Let's chat: AIBD.org/meetsteve​