Mark Strauss 2010

Name: Mark Strauss, FAIA, AICP, PP, LEED AP Title: Senior Partner Company: FXFOWLE Architects Location: New York, N.Y. Birthplace: Andover, Mass. College: Cornell University, BArch; City College, Master in Urban Planning First job outside of real estate: Usher in a movie theater in high school First job in real estate or allied field: Summer intern in an architecture firm in high school What do you do now and what are you planning for the future? In addition to our active International Studio, Interiors/Cultural/Educational Studio and our Urban Studio, which I co-direct with my partner Dan Kaplan, we recently opened an office in Washington, D.C. Much of my current work involves nurturing our efforts there. We've succeeded in being selected for some significant mixed-use development projects in the District, Northern Virginia and in Maryland. I expect to spend nearly half my time in D.C. over the next year. Hobbies: Traveling, listening to jazz vocals, reading and genealogy Favorite book: "The Invisible Bridge" by Julie Orringer. Favorite movie: "Local Hero." It is a great story about development and planning and great music by Mark Knopfler, who was trained as an architect. Person you admire most (outside of family): Jonathan Barnett, who wrote the book, "Urban Design as Public Policy." Key to success: To paraphrase Jerry Garcia of The Grateful Dead: "I never wanted to be considered merely the best in my field. I've always wanted to be considered the only one who does what I do." If you had to choose another vocation what would it be? In addition to architecture and urban planning in recent years, I've developed a passion for genealogy, and have researched various branches of my family back to the 17th Century. The research combines my love of history and connecting with people. I could see doing more of this when I retire.