Mac Chesney, 2nd in a series

I grew up in West Texas.  It is a barren land with few trees and lots of big, open sky.  There was not a lot of stimulation there in those years so kids were forced to make their own fun; the imagination was  the best escape.

For this reason, many famous musicians, collectible artists, and fine architects are products of this culture.  We all had a lot of time to create during our youth, and it shows as I cross paths with those whose branches grew from those  same roots.

What a surprise to me that my first, big new home  project with a local San Antonio architect was with one who hailed from those same parts of Texas as me.  My compadre, Mac Chesney, was raised with the same “your handshake is your word” work ethic, and  we both hold dearly the gratitude we feel for all the wonderful clients who have allowed us to practice our crafts and continue to hone our creative powers on their own dwellings and work spaces.

For the past 20+ years, Mac and I have done remodels, modest family homes, large family homes, and a career benchmark residence as a team……

Mac has taught me volumes of knowledge about architecture, construction, and the creative process which he always links to his client’s dream and budget.  He is not an architect whose ego overshadows the client’s vision; rather he gently guides them to make good choices based on his acutely precise drawings and renderings….and even his whimsical ones!

Our first project together was as beautiful as any we have done in the more recent years.  By so sincerely engaging my opinions and collaboration on this first project, he set me off on a course to be as skilled at my part of the design team contribution as he.  He taught me to write specs that contractors would read and follow.

There have been many a time I have sat next to Mac at his conference room table, with clients opposite us, when his descriptive phrases to describe the project progress have brought me to tears of laughter.  An example would be his use of analogy when describing the project as ”nine months pregnant” to a couple wanting to rethink a fireplace decision long after that structural change could be easily re designed.

Mac is a larger than life character whose emotions and exuberance come through to both entertain and embrace all of us who have been lucky enough to work with him.  I consider him my gifted teacher, my endearing friend, and the best of what comes from those West Texas roots.

Joe Ely \”All Just to get to you\”