EP32: Meet Architects Paul & Mark Halajian - Exploring Faith In Fresno Architecture

Can architecture be an act of worship? Paul and Mark Halajian build their answer into every project, and faith-based architecture sits at the center of this conversation with host Dr. Scott Asmar.

On this episode of Dr. Scott Asmar: The Man & Everything In Between, Dr. Scott talks with Paul Halajian, principal architect at Halajian Architects, and his son, Mark Halajian, a designer at the firm. Paul has practiced architecture for nearly forty years and trained at UC Berkeley. Mark studied at Cal Baptist and earned master's degrees in architecture and urban design at CU Denver before joining the family practice.

Paul traces his focus on church architecture design back to a graduate thesis and a former youth pastor's request to design a church, a project that shaped the rest of his career. He also opens up about the fear he felt when launching his own firm in 2010 and the question that followed him through those first years.

Mark breaks down where he stands on AI in architecture, including why he believes it can copy but never create something new. The father-and-son architects also share what led Mark from college wrestling into the family business, the two pulpits and communion table they are currently designing together, and the fountain pen sketching habit Paul passed down to him.

Listen to learn how faith-based architecture, family, and design come together, plus practical architecture career advice for anyone who has ever thought about building something that lasts.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Meet Paul And Mark Halajian

01:07 Paul's Early Calling To Architecture

02:43 Studying Architecture At UC Berkeley

04:53 Mark's Roundabout Path Into Design

07:37 Faith Shaping Their Architectural Philosophy

13:14 Debating AI's Role In Design

18:17 The Fountain Pen Obsession Begins

21:34 Career Advice For Future Architects

25:47 Churches And Landmark Buildings In Fresno

33:18 How Christ Guides Their Work

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