We use four builders. John gets the ones where quality is paramount and attention to detail is crucial.

That’s because he thinks in three dimensions—he understands that architecture and building are pursuits in which every corner and junction attest to how committed you are to excellence.

I get the feeling that he seeks out the most interesting designs, because they are the ones that are most challenging to execute and therefore the most satisfying to work on. He seems to collect them like other people collect interesting cars.

John’s foremen likewise are very exacting. They are demanding and precise, yet very approachable, because, like John, they are driven by the desire to make the building as good as it can be. All of them only want to work on projects where the building can reflect quality.

When you have invested in a great design you must execute it perfectly. To do otherwise is to compromise.