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There is a Santa Claus, and he’s hired an architect!

date added: 14.12.2010

The kind of person who absolutely loves the Christmas season and spirit, Don said to his staff, “Rather than send out some nice architectural drawing for our holiday greeting to business friends and family, let’s do a working drawing of Santa’s workshop! Take the next 45 minutes or so, and have at it!” Well, four days later, a sticker board was prominently featured in the office, and it became very clear that they’d done it – designed a terrific workshop for Mr. and Mrs. S. Claus. With an Elves Bunkroom, Reindeer Port, and Mail Room (for processing letters to Santa), the workshop is truly functional.

Other charming details include: windows fitted with Bah Humbug screens, clothes stored in a Santa clauset, and a chimney made from jingle bell rock. Visitors to the decked hallway are greeted by two knights – a silent knight and a holey knight. The workshop office has Sweets catalogs, an elf shelf, and filing cabinets -- for contracts featuring a Santa clause.

The earliest edition of the drawing on hand is from 1977, although the project began in 1975. Except for the first two years, the office has a complete set of drawings from 1977 through 2010. Don notes that, “You’ll recall that this was before reprographics really existed so, each year, we had to redraw the whole thing in order to add the newest features.”

From that first blueprint done almost 35 years ago, the workshop itself hasn’t changed substantially. “It’s merely been improved and enhanced, just like a regular house!” says Don, “We added a room here and there -- as the Claus family needs changed.”

And, as the years passed, the various architectural details have been modified to keep up with the times and trends. How so? At one point, there was a reference to “Yule Gibbons,” but, according to Don, “These days, no one under the age of 60 really knows who that is – so Yule Gibbons was deleted.” Keeping it fresh and relevant doesn’t come without its challenges. The biggest uproar came when Don deemed it was time to get rid of SpongeBob. “I never liked that fella too much, but the grandchildren adored him.” Once the grandkids got older, Don was able to delete SpongeBob, or at least give him less prominence. He now Rests In Peace (with X’s for eyes!) in a soap dish in the Hot Cocoa and Cookie Room.

As happens with all great ideas, the drawing has been “borrowed.” The primary culprits? Blueprint companies! Several times, different companies have done hack jobs with the drawing and removed Don’s name. So, with his forgiving, generous spirit and that gleam in his eye, Don asked an attorney friend to draft a letter to send to the thievin’, misbehavin’ folks. The attorney wrote an outrageous letter, straight from the North Pole, implying that coal was abundant and likely to end up in the stockings of those who took without asking and didn’t bother to give credit where it was due.

One of the nicest things that came out of this unique holiday tradition? Don’s a big fan of Marian McPartland, who was the deemed the best female piano player in the world back in 1954. “She’s 96-years old now and, in her lifetime, she has done so much for jazz and for music. I wanted to honor that, and so I sketched her in to the drawing, and sent her a copy of the blueprint. She called me a week later from New York, thanking me, and since then, we’ve had a just wonderful relationship.”

Many people get the biggest chuckle out of one specific architectural detail. In the Toy Room, there’s a supply of coal for bad little boys, and then there’s a stash of mink coats -- for bad little girls (wink, wink!).

It’d be curious to know what Santa actually thinks of the design. Don notes the sign that points to the Claus residence, “It’s clear that’s a private space, with no access.” However, if the “elves” at Don’s own workshop get cheeky one day, they might just begin to work on Santa’s home… and then see what jolly Saint Nick has to say!

The drawing is truly a group effort. The office keeps a copy hanging in a visible place, and, throughout the year, as people think of something, they scribble a suggestion onto the blueprint. “It’s great fun! It keeps us smiling – and it keeps the Christmas spirit going all year long!”

Every year, about this time, people start to call the office to make sure that they’re on the distribution list to get the newest drawing. In his generous manner and in the true spirit of the season, Don is happy to share the joy and laughter that “A Workshop for Mr. & Mrs. S. Claus” brings with the members of AIA San Diego.

Source: www.aiasandiego.org

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