Erik Mar
Architect
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Erik Mar
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Canoga Park Branch Library--PowerCADD, Form*Z and Photoshop.
Carde Ten Architects has used PowerCADD since PowerDraw 2. We have used WildTools since PowerCADD 3 and by now would not consider purchasing a PowerCADD package without a WildTools complement to go along with it. Although the majority of our work, from schematic design layouts, to full color presentations, to the contract documents, is completed almost exclusively within PowerCADD, we are beginning to use PowerCADD more to generate the base drawings onto which we then generate 3D models, 3D renderings, and final page layout and compositing in applications other than PowerCADD. In spite of the gains made in terms of ease of use in other competing CAD packages, most of us still find PowerCADD/WildTools to be the fastest way to generate the essential drawings necessary for more elaborate presentation work. Of course, for the 2D world of construction drawings, PowerCADD/WildTools is unsurpassed, in spite of occasional hiccups in drawing exchange with AutoCAD-wielding consultants. The speed with which we can respond with drawing information to the various exigencies faced in architectural work is due in no small part to the speed and low hardware requirements of PowerCADD/WildTools (although of course there's no such thing as a computer that's ever really fast enough).
A major advantage of the PowerCADD alternative must be the access one has as a user to the software developers and programmers. Bugs are addressed relatively rapidly, and new features are truly often the result of user input. One can scarcely imagine the same being said of AutoDesk or Bentley or even Graphisoft.
In spite of some rough spots and unresolved features, the overall solution presented by the use of PowerCADD/WildTools is unique and in our opinion highly beneficial to us in the last instance. And one always has confidence that those rough spots, if sufficiently documented, will eventually be smoothed over once brought to the attention of the relevant parties.
Erik Mar
Erik Mar with Indra Mar, his son.
Erik Mar went to MIT for both graduate and undergraduate degrees in Architecture, separated by a span of six years during which time he worked in offices in Boston, San Francisco, and Nicaragua. The firm he currently is with, Carde Ten Architects, in Santa Monica, CA, works almost exclusively on either multi-family affordable housing or on community buildings such as schools, recreation centers, gymnasiums, domestic violence shelters, non-profit group offices, etc. Erik, in addition to architectural work, also sets up, maintains, and configures all of the office's computers (with the exception of a few Wintel boxes). Erik Mar, Carde Ten Architects, 1638 Nineteenth Street, Santa Monica, California 90404. (310) 453-4427 x30 Fax: (310) 453-5515 Email: erik@cardeten.com
Aliso Pico Cultural + Educational Center Los Angeles County Gymnasiums Chinatown Branch Library
Delano Park Gymnasium Canoga Park Branch Library East Valley Animal Service Center
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While the drawings presented here are principally Erik Mar's work, Erik would like to recognize the contribution of Angela Pérez. Angela is Nicaraguan by birth, although she has lived in the US for more than 10 years. Previously, she was the head of the Technical Drawing Department of the Sandinista Ministry of Tourism. She joined Carde Ten Architects nearly four years ago and rapidly went from being virtually CAD-illiterate to being the office's premiere PowerCADD draftsperson. Many of the above projects would not have been possible without her collaboration. |
