We Are Upstate NY With Architect Michael Lockwood

Architect Michael Lockwood creates commercial and residential projects that balance his love for sustainability and nature with his appreciation for solid design. His projects reveal the influences of modern architecture with a mix of Scandinavian and Prairie style. He has a strong sensibility and consideration of space and light, transmitting a sense of welcoming through details and materials that feel modern and fresh. But while this Hudson Valley-born and raised creative is busy designing with his partner Joshua Thibault in their firm Dynamism Builders, he also has fun as a gallerist and partner of the Lockwood Gallery in Kingston.

Want to know more? Check out our exclusive interview…

INSIDE+OUT: Where are you originally from, and how did you wind up in the Hudson Valley?

Michael Lockwood: I was born in Kingston, NY, and I’ve lived in the Hudson Valley my entire life. Upon graduating from Onteora HS in Boiceville, NY, I attended a summer scholarship to the Woodstock School of Art before leaving for college to study architecture.

Where did you study, and did you have a mentor? Tell us about your journey as an architect.

I studied at Alfred State College in western New York State and then moved to Boston to attend the Boston Architectural Center. Upon leaving school and moving back to the Hudson Valley to raise a family, I worked for many architectural firms.  It was inspiring to watch and learn from other experienced architects.  Observing the methods, knowledge, traits, and characteristics that made them successful helped me understand how the business worked and the creative process involved in the profession.

Which architects inspired you to get into the business? Who are some of your favorites?

I have always been inspired by the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. I admire the respect he had for the environment and how he respected it in his designs. In addition, l also love the way his designs considered human interaction and created playful exceptions to the rules.

Do you work on both residential and commercial projects? How do they differ in how you might approach the work?

Yes. We work on both commercial and residential projects.  Designing for a residential home is a much more personal approach because the clients are more intimately involved.  In commercial projects, the client’s main objective is typically to get it done as soon as possible so that they can open their business.  However, whether residential or commercial, we work to create sustainable structures that consume as little energy as possible, along with the highest level of design.

Which part of design and development do you love the most?

The most exciting part to me will always be solving the problem. I love diagnosing the existing conditions, assessing the client’s needs, and then designing practical, architectural solutions.

Do you have a particular style? If so, can you elaborate? And what are the most popular styles of homes being built in the Hudson Valley today?

My particular style of choice is often sustainable—contemporary, with a lot of glass, overhangs where appropriate, simple roof lines, robust wall and roof assemblies, and clean and minimalistic interiors. It’s always shaped by the environment in which the project is being designed.

In general, the most popular styles of homes being built today in the Hudson Valley seem to be contemporary with Scandinavian architectural influences.

What is the question most often asked or the biggest misconception about your work?

The biggest question asked is, “How much will this cost me?”  We cannot answer this question until we know the client’s budget, needs, and desires. It is that simple. There are many ways to build a project with many cost variables. The best way to build one is based on the client’s budget and reviewing the trade-offs for one type of system versus the other in terms of efficiency, cost, time, durability, etc.

You are business partners with Joshua Thibault at Dynamism Builders. What inspired this collaboration, and how has it evolved?

I met Joshua Thibault in 2002 when I was working at an architectural firm in New Paltz. Joshua was hired to do drafting work, and we became friends. We began to work together on architectural projects.  Over the years, we produced a fair amount of business together.  I received my architectural license in 2015, and then in 2016, Joshua and I became partners and started Dynamism Builders.  From there, we evolved quickly.  In 2018, we moved our business out from a small room with no signage to The Design Towers on Route 28, a 1300-square-foot empty space that we renovated into offices and a gallery. We have been here for the last six years and continue to enjoy the environment we’ve created.

You are also a business partner with curator Alan Goolman at The Lockwood Gallery. What inspired this collaboration, how has it evolved, and are you hands-on at the gallery?

I started The Lockwood Gallery in 2018.  In 2019, Alan attended the second art opening, and after explaining his vision, he asked me if I would be interested in having him join the gallery as a curator.  It seemed like an excellent idea, and we have been working together ever since. Alan creates the themes, as well as selecting the artists and art for each show. He figures out how he wants the show hung, and then I use geometry and precise measurements to hang it. Together, we create the graphics that we use for the different media we advertise in.  Finally, we prepare for and attend the openings, which we have every 6-7 weeks, and do approximately nine shows a year.  Alan has helped me understand how an art gallery operates and how exciting it can be.

What are some of your favorite things to do in the Hudson Valley?

Hiking the rail trails and state parks in the HV with my girlfriend and daughters is one of my favorite activities.  I also love dining out and visiting many of the unique local bars, going to art galleries, and listening to live music.

Which Hudson Valley places or businesses do you frequent the most?

In Kingston, I really enjoy visiting Lola’s Pizza, The Kinsley Hotel bar, Le Canard, Chleo’s, and, lately, Sonder. In Woodstock, I like having lunch at Yum Yum Noodles and The Woodstock Pub (which, in my opinion, has the best Italian chicken panini). In Saugerties, I love to grab a cup of coffee and a delicious breakfast/brunch at Josie’s Coffee Shoppe and dinner at the Red Onion.

Tell us something about you that people might be surprised to know.

I’m good at mimicking people. After seeing someone on television or in movies, I like to create comical skits using their characters. They’re so different from me; it’s interesting to step into their persona to “be that guy.” When I find the time, I enjoy playing the piano, singing, and dancing. I love making art with oil and acrylic paint, charcoal, pastels, pencil works, printmaking, and sculpting.

What would be your dream project?

I just spent the past eight months working towards getting my Passive House consulting certification. So, a dream project of mine would be to design a large waterfront multi-story net zero mixed-use building using passive house principles. I would develop the much-needed housing, a park with water access, and a first-floor plaza with retail shops and restaurants.

What are you working on now that you are excited about?

There are two projects, specifically, that are quite exciting. One is a Catskill development consisting of a three-story building with 12 apartments and retail space on the first floor. This project is challenging due to the site, but that makes things more interesting for me. The other project is in Fishkill. It is a residential estate where I am challenged with designing a kitchen addition, a walk-out balcony for the primary bedroom, and renovating an old barn on the property into a guest house. The land is beautiful, and the design opportunity to convert this barn into a rustic contemporary charm is part of my passion for this project.

What is your current state of mind?

I feel fortunate to be who I am: with a wonderful career, good health, and a strong desire to continue providing the best possible service. I love being on the move, always doing as much as possible. I feel like I can conquer whatever I put my mind to, and I am excited about all the challenges ahead of me

Photos Courtesy of Lockwood Architecture @lockwood_architecture

Follow/Connect with Michael at Lockwood Architecture via Website | Facebook | Instagram | Inside+Out Spotlight

+ + +

Click HERE to see all of our exclusive interviews with the amazing folks who proudly call the Hudson Valley home.