A Single Designer, A Singular Focus

“I think of architecture as the dissection of a building,” says Carl Boyd Maxwell, the founder of his own firm, Carl Boyd Maxwell, AIA Architect, Inc. “I enjoy looking at things in regards to their component parts, whether it be an object, a building, or even a work of art.” It’s easy to apply this kind of analysis to Maxwell’s firm, for he himself is the primary component as the business’s sole employee. The firm’s size comes with challenges, but it also gives Maxwell the latitude to take time on the design process and work closely with clients—whether they are residential homeowners or federal agencies.

Maxwell’s desire to become an architect began when he was young. He was fascinated by the plans of buildings, and when he attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute to study architecture, his curiosities were further fueled by a program and faculty that challenged him to think differently and focus on how the parts of a building compose the whole.

Before starting his own firm, Carl worked for other architecture and engineering companies, including most recently the Chapman Technical Group, a multidiscipline engineering and interior design firm located in St. Albans, West Virginia. Each employer lent him new and different perspectives that continually shaped his own, and from this he learned the nuances of taking a multifaceted approach to the design process. “I want to let my clients know that I’m not simply supplying the plan; I’m offering a larger service,” Maxwell says. “I want to incorporate the flavor and feel of what they want.”

Being a design firm of one has advantages and disadvantages. One of the largest difficulties is time management and ensuring everything gets done properly. To this end, Carl relies on a strong network of consultants who help him with engineering and design displays such as animations and renderings. The firm’s workload fluctuates, but 2012 started out as a busy year, with five projects already in the works by the month of April. It’s the busiest that Maxwell has been since 2007, and such a number of projects naturally magnifies the challenges of working alone. However, the architect has also acquired a greater degree of flexibility by flying solo. “The only person I have to answer to is the client or homeowner,” Maxwell says. “That amount of flexibility and attention leads to better personal service.”

Recently, Maxwell worked with CAS Structural Engineering, Inc. on a 5,000-square-foot light-commercial structure for the General Services Administration. It was a project that required a significant level of critical thinking because the building’s gabled roof hindered placement of three required HVAC units. So, Maxwell devised a plan to add a mechanical deck for two of the units and a mechanical room for the remaining unit near the front of the structure. Working on the problem by himself enabled Maxwell to find a solution more quickly, but he modestly waves off praise. “It’s something nobody sees, but it solved the problem,” he says.

Another recent project Maxwell worked on was a residence in Sissonville, West Virginia. The homeowners were interested in a renovation of the family room and the kitchen, and they wanted to add an outdoor area. With such projects Maxwell is always careful to work within the design aesthetic of the existing house. “The clients had a specific roof line, and the challenge was to harmonize the addition with the existing structure,” he says. And, by working alone and thus having the chance to meet with the homeowners often, Maxwell was able to efficiently conceive a design that both they and he were satisfied with.

In the future, Maxwell would like to find a workload consistent enough and sufficient enough to enable him to expand his firm to a two- or three-person operation. And if things keep up as they have been, Maxwell feels such an opportunity could be on the horizon. “I’ve been busy; if the work continues, I feel it could be practical to add someone,” he says, adding, “I’m getting close.” ABQ