eric reinholdt's short film ponders on the struggles of the traditional architecture practice

eric reinholdt has made the decision to part ways with the traditional practice of architecture in search of something different. the architect stepped away from a job that supported his family but that ultimately left him creatively unfulfilled. ‘a choice to make’ is a short film, documenting personal struggles in order to pursue a more creative life. these are challenges we all face and questions we all seek answers to. 

‘a choice to make’ – a short architecture film

american based architect eric reinholdt made things; every day. most of what I created failed, said the architect, but I took note of the ones that weren’t and learned from them. a reevaluation of what being an architect began; what it meant to eric reinholdt, who said: I wasn’t capable of doing only one thing. I loved architecture deeply, but I also wanted to pursue writing and photography, video editing and sketching, model making and paper cutting, teaching and book publishing, marketing and interior design.

when reindholdt’s definition of what being an architect looked like expanded to include all these things, he discovered a well of creative freedom absent in traditional practice. I set out to prove to myself I could design the life I wanted, support my wife and children and feel professionally satisfied, according to the architect.

is this the right path for everyone? of course not. is this expanded definition of a creative life perfect or unfailing? hardly. although, experimenting has brought reindholdt closer than ever to his childhood vision of what a fulfilling, creative life might look like.

each day in eric reindholdt’s 30×40 design workshop there is a new experiment in the making. ‘a chance to make’ is just another experiment as well. if it’s successful, it will have helped to empower you to seek out the things that make you feel most alive, most fulfilled; the things that bring you happiness, says eric reindholdt.

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: apostolos costarangos | designboom