Original Bruce Designs

The name "Original Bruce" came to me when I was a teenager. I had just finished some invention when my Uncle Jim – my mentor and best source of second-hand tools – said, "That's really neat. What is it?" I was indignant. "What is it?! WHAT IS IT?! Why, it's an Original Bruce, that's what it is!" It was probably my way of avoiding the question, because I didn't really know what to call it either. I've been designing and building things all my life, and my process has evolved over the years to be very organic. I no longer feel like I impose a design on something – instead, the design reveals itself through a collaborative process. I start by talking with clients about what they want, then visit the property to see what it wants, then consult with my coworkers (my wife and son), and finally sit with all that until inspiration arrives. Even after we've come up with a plan, the building process can lead to changes that make the project better than anyone ever expected at the start. I love what I do, and I love the collaborative process of creating something special that gives everyone ownership in the project.