Site Logo

Life of an Architect

  • Podcast
  • about me
  • Questions / Contact
  • F. A. Q.
  • Do you want to be an Architect?
  • Architecture Books+
You are here: Home / Materials and Products / Weekend Adventure in So-Cal

Weekend Adventure in So-Cal

June 4, 2012 by Bob Borson 11 Comments

I went to Southern California last week on a working holiday to visit the Bosch Experience and Design Center to take a look at  Bosch appliances and BLANCO sinks and faucets. These trips are really fun but there is typically a lot of work involved. The people who put on these events spend a lot of time culling through who should come since it costs them a small fortune to put on an event like this … and let’s be honest, most people want me there in hopes that I write about their product here on the website …

… which is why I turn down 90% of all the invitations I receive. For the record, if it’s not of value to my clients or a benefit to my ability to practice architecture, I don’t go. Part of the reason I turn so many invitations down is that I have to take personal – vacation – time to go on these trips, the super-mean people I work for don’t give me time off for “boondoggles”. I am a big fan of both of these product lines and who isn’t a fan of Southern California? What this means to you is that I took a trip, brought my wife, my daughter, and a camera.

What did I learn?

Bob and Kate sitting on a rock

That I like climbing out on rocks.

Bob standing on a rock

and my wife likes taking pictures of me out on rocks.

Bob standing on a rock

A lot.

Bosch Rapid Prototyping

But that wasn’t the only thing I learned. I spent a ridiculous amount of time learning about rapid prototyping and the how Bosch uses it to determine how different dials feel in your hand – specifically how people of different ages and with different levels of motor control can use these dials. I think too few people spend enough time thinking about aging in place but when you build a product that will easily last 15 to 20 years, you have to think about such things. For that reason, Bosch decided to put us through some of the same tests that their designers go through.

Bosch Aging in Place experiment

Yes – that is my giant monkey hand but you have got to give me props for those nails! They aren’t dirty OR yellow (fungus free high five!)!! I got my finger joints taped up to limit my mobility and then I slid on a pair of rubber gloves (seen lying on the countertop below my hand) to impair my sense of touch. After I was “prepped” I ran through a series of tests where I filled up pots, put them on the stove, turned it on and off, changed temperatures and settings, set timers, etc. You would be surprised how much insight you can get going through this process.

Nick in a pregnancy suit

This was another test we went through … thank you grilled cheezus that it’s not me in the pregnancy suit (we’re still not sure who the father of that child might be). That’s Nick (aka @cupboards) sporting a horrific look in loafers, fake baby belly and cantaloupe sized man-breasts. In this exercise, we evaluated how the relative ease of loading a dishwasher gets complicated if you are pregnant.

[man shudder]

Nick was a good sport about wearing the suit and had to endure the near hysterical laughter that came at his expense. Based on the number of flashes popping and people with cellphones jockeying for position, you would have thought Justin Bieber had just dropped his pants down in front of the paparazzi.

After it was all over, I had spent the better part of two days with the designers from Bosch and BLANCO talking about their process of design and it was incredibly enlightening to me to see how these industrial designer go about their business of making greatness even greater. My opinions are my own and I did not receive compensation to write this post but if you aren’t familiar with Bosch and BLANCO, you owe it to yourself to check them out.

Exploring Crystal Cove at Laguna Beach

Kate exploring at the beach

After the working part of my trip was completed, I was able to enjoy some of the benefits Southern California has to offer. We stayed at The Tides Laguna Beach Hotel which was pretty groovy and had a well-informed couple that ran the office that gave us solid advice on where to explore and where to eat. On Saturday we drove 90 minutes down the road and spent the entire day at the San Diego Zoo. I didn’t make any architecturally related side trips – nothing – just me and the family at the zoo.

San Diego Zoo - photo by Bob Borson

That’s what made this particular trip a holiday. Well, that and the weather is a lot nicer than what we have going on here in Texas.

Cheers

.

. 

 

even better stuff from Life of an Architect

2016 Life of an Architect Playhouse Competition - Clarifications

Ep 118: Architectural Interns

013: What to Get an Architect for Christmas [2018]

2012 AIA Dallas Tour of Homes

Modern Fences - Gabions

Traveling and Working

Ep 097: Burnout

The Tools of an Architect

European Design for the Modern Kitchen
Modern Stairs - the timeline

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

Filed Under: Materials and Products, Travel Tagged With: a day in the life, being a part of the design process, Products, social media, traveling

Search Life of an Architect

Subscribe to Podcast

Apple PodcastsSpotifyAndroidiHeartRadioby EmailTuneInRSS

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Apparel for Architects

T-Shirts for Architects - Bob Borson

Support for Advice or Guidance - or if you simply want to show appreciation for the content produced on this site

Thanks!
Other Amount
Project Reference or Support for Questions Answered:

Trending on Life of an Architect

Ep 178: Under Pressure
Architectural Graphics 101 - Symbols
Ten Cathedrals to see before you die
Architectural Graphics 101 - Reflected Ceiling Plans
Architectural Graphics 101: Cover Sheet
Architectural Graphics 101 - Window Schedules
Architectural Graphics 101 - Wall Types
Architectural Graphics 101: Finish Schedules
Architectural Graphics 101 - Title Blocks
Graphic Standards for Architectural Cabinetry

My “Serious” Disclaimer

The complimentary advice provided on ‘Life of an Architect’ is based on an abbreviated examination of the minimal facts given, not the typical extensive (and sometimes exhaustive) analysis I conduct when working with my clients. Therefore, anything you read on this site is not a substitute for actually working with me. Following my casual advice is at your own peril … if you want my undivided attention, I would recommend hiring me. Cheers.

Pages

  • Comment Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Architecture Books+
  • about me
  • Questions?
  • F. A. Q.
  • Do you want to be an Architect?
  • Podcast

Life of an Architect | Bob Borson

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Archives of Awesomeness

Copyright © 2025 Life of an Architect

 

Loading Comments...