Why are modern buildings so ugly? Architect Erik Bootsma explains the ideology behind it, why beauty is worth the cost, and why Catholics should build villages again.

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Erik Bootsma leads Erik Bootsma Architect in Richmond, Virginia, focusing on Catholic church architecture: new churches, liturgical renovations, monasteries, and work at Benedictine College. For 15+ years he's also been designing Catholic villages, neighborhoods built with the church at the center. We cover:

• The "spreadsheet brain" that can only see 10, 20, or 30 years ahead

• Why a cheap building is a burden on your grandchildren, not a gift- How to talk about money with the people paying for a building

• How business owners can help build real community

"A real community is one that lives and breathes all day, every day." — Erik Bootsma

This episode is sponsored by Bonaventure Bookkeeping: bookkeeping for business owners, handled with honesty and care. https://www.bonabook.xyzand Our Father Constructors & Associate, your partner for any construction project.

If you want to ensure your church, school, monastery (etc) project is done well, on budget (or under budget), and ultimately, that it serves the Church for generations — reach out to Cristian and his team. Go to OurFather.US (https://ourfather.us/) to learn more. Tell them that we sent you!

Connect with Erik:

Website: https://bootsma.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-bootsma-161363286/

Find a Catholic Founders meetup near you: https://luma.com/catholicfounders

Chapters:

02:20 – Architects as “executives” rather than just “creatives”

03:55 – Discussion on architecture and why so many ugly modern buildings were built

07:40 – The true function and purpose of churches

11:11 – What constitutes a real, living community

11:20 – The concept and vision of Catholic villages

13:55 – Favorite project: The Rosary Walk in Gallup, New Mexico

16:20 – The spiritual aspect of volunteer labor and building

19:30 – Taking on projects that cannot be completed in a single lifetime

20:44 – Winston Churchill’s quote: “We shape our buildings and then they shape us”

27:24 – How the Church and modern society have fallen into “spreadsheet brain”

28:48 – Moving past 10–30 year ROI to embrace true generational thinking

30:40 – Building as a gift versus saddling future generations with a burden

33:17 – Working with clergy and the mindset shift in younger priests

43:17 – Using traditional building materials

54:01 – Advice for business owners on long-term community building and investments

56:50 – Closing and Rapid Fire

Episode references:Churchill, House of Commons, 1943: https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1943/oct/28/house-of-commons-rebuilding

St. Charles Borromeo on church building: https://www.sacredarchitecture.org/articles/charles_borromeo_and_catholic_tradition

The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/25

St. Kateri Rosary Walk: https://bootsma.com/portfolio_page/st-kateri-rosary-walk/

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