One of the greatest thing in life is to bring imagined concepts to the real world. We can spin our mental wheels with great energy, imagination and creativity, but to bring the realm of the mental into the real world takes an incredible amount of skills. What is important is the way in which the spinning wheels gain physical traction. This constitutes bringing a dream to life. One has to know well, respect and obey the many constraints of the real world and at the same time adapt them so as to not compromise with the integrity of the idea. However, the idea also adapts and evolves to the physical necessities. The project has to both stand physically but it also must stand the test of time. This is the most interesting and rewarding challenge of all.

These notions become particularly vivid in architecture. In the ancient times, important buildings needed to embed mystical concepts in their structures, such as the utilization of stones from older structures, the orientations, the proportions, the symbolisms to name a few. It validated the building and gave it a higher purpose. In our modern world, a minority of buildings are built in this spirit.

When we set out to construct the Omiros Building, we wanted to create something very special. We wanted a structure much like a tree. The geothermal system of nine deep wells (600 ft deep) would serve as roots. The rotating ceramic columns on the building facade and the rotating stain glass pinwheel are reminiscent of the change of seasons and the ever changing cyclical aspects of nature. The fully usable rooftop garden with its tall folding stellar compass whose shape is determine strictly by the position of celestial objects, as well as the large exterior wall structure whose shape changes based on the hygrometric pressure of the environment, all resonate to the notion of life and our integration with the environment. It was important to us to have all these premises in place because the building itself will be place of healing. It will be a holistic center. We also wanted to create a work place in a work of art. Art gives hope, inspiration and stimulate the imagination. We believe, it is also healing in many ways and it grounds us with our past. The specific art works in the building, many of which are animated, the plants and the very tall wall fountain give the lobby a very organic aspect. We hope that this space will be a great addition the community and inspire people to explore and appreciate all form of artistic expressions.

Paul Hriso