In Conversation with David Bootsman

Joining the firm 6 years ago, David Bootsman is Iredale Architecture’s most recent Partner. Don't let that fool you though. With a career that spans two countries, two continents, and two coasts, David’s industry experience precedes him. Before architecture, he worked in branding and graphic and product design, promoting new developments in Japan like the iconic Nankai South Tower Hotel. It was in New York that he found his footing as an architect, crafting an impressive portfolio of projects and clients including Louis Vuitton, the New York Times Building, and the Suffolk County 9/11 Memorial. He has since returned to the West Coast, bringing his unique perspective with him.

We asked David to reflect on his time in New York, considering some of the lessons he learned from his time in the Big Apple, and how his life and work have changed since switching coasts.

Iredale Architecture: Tell us about your experience in New York.?

David Bootsman: I worked in New York for 16 years for various architectural firms while developing my own practice. I worked mostly on high-end lofts, residential developments, houses, and spas. The majority of the work took place within heritage buildings so there was often a heritage restoration/negotiation element to these projects. New York is an incredible place to live and work, surrounded by so many talented people and so much history, design, art, food, you name it. I’ve not found another place with the same energy.

IA: What made you want to leave New York and move to British Columbia??

DB: My father was becoming elderly, and I wanted my young daughter to know her grandpa. I also felt it was time for a change and the opportunity to join Iredale as a partner presented itself about the same time. It was difficult to leave behind so many good friends, but I always felt somewhat transient living in the U.S., even though my daughter is an American citizen.

IA: How has moving to BC impacted/changed the way you approach design?

DB: I became a business co-owner upon joining Iredale, so I’ve had to devote much more time to business development and management and divide my time that had previously been devoted to designing. In New York, most of my work came from word of mouth and recommendations.

IA: What have you carried over from your New York years in terms of design principles, approaches, values, etc.? How do those experiences continue to inform the work you do here?

DB: It’s difficult to distill what one has learned into a set of principles that you can list, but with any of my projects, the most important element is really knowing your client inside and out, and this only happens as the project develops.?

IA: Do you see your work in BC as fundamentally different from your work in New York or as a continuation/maturation of those earlier projects?

DB: The types of projects I do now are vastly different than what I was doing in New York, so while my approach to design has not changed, I’ve had to temper my expectations with respect to budgets and creative license. BC is considerably more conservative when it comes to design.

IA: Looking forward, where do you hope to see yourself and/or your work in the next five to ten years?

DB: Hopefully I will still be designing and learning from my partners and employees at the firm!