Lawrence Bowen, CPBD, didn’t start his career in architecture until later in life, but his passion and dedication have made him a leader in Performance Engineering Architecture (PEA). At age 45, Lawrence decided to pursue his long-time interest in architecture.
As the founding principal of VQ Design PLLC, an Arizona-based firm, Lawrence designs buildings that are functional, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing.
“I approached it from the standpoint that structure is the architecture,” he says. His philosophy of minimalism shapes his designs, where “the aesthetic should really come from the structure and the perfect functionality.”
With over 20 years of experience collaborating with structural engineers and 10 years as a sole proprietor, Lawrence is deeply involved in every stage of his projects. “Effectively, I manage all the design, project, and input,” he explains. His clients range from homeowners to developers and institutional administrators, and his projects span custom homes, remodeling, and retrofitting older buildings.
“Sometimes it’s a real horror show,” he says about working on retrofitting structures built without professional backing. But he also handles light commercial projects, bringing the same level of care and expertise.
Lawrence’s work begins with a detailed site analysis, often using techniques like heliodon studies to optimize solar orientation. He follows projects from concept to construction, often serving as both the designer and project manager. “Who knows it better than the designer, what’s required?” he points out.
Despite his busy schedule, Lawrence focuses on learning new things to stay on top of his craft. From courses at Harvard and MIT to his extensive library, Lawrence’s commitment to building science drives his work. “I’m open wherever I can learn,” he says. Online learning, in particular, has been a practical way for him to grow his skills while staying involved in his projects.
With so many responsibilities, Lawrence needed a tool to simplify structural analysis and free up more time for design. That’s when he found ClearCalcs.
Before discovering ClearCalcs, Lawrence struggled to find a structural analysis program that worked with his existing processes. Managing diverse projects ranging from retrofits to custom builds required a reliable solution for precise structural calculations without disrupting his established design process.
Lawrence’s search led him to investigate an online structural analysis tool. However, it presented hurdles that made it impractical for his needs. “I didn’t like having to re-build structural models that I had already developed via BIM,” he explains. Recreating models added unnecessary complexity and time to his projects.
He continued to search online and eventually found ClearCalcs, which stood out because it made his work easier without forcing him to start from scratch.
ClearCalcs transformed how Lawrence approaches structural analysis. Its clean, straightforward interface fits naturally into his workflow.
“ClearCalcs is very straightforward and allows me to either analyze a section of the building or the entire building as well,” Lawrence shares.
Initially, Lawrence was worried about the learning curve, but ClearCalcs’ tutorials and videos helped him get started quickly. This user-friendly approach gave him more time to focus on his designs instead of wrestling with complicated software.
His decision to choose ClearCalcs came down to its user-friendly interface and alignment with his existing processes.
“Although ClearCalcs doesn’t have a structural modelling feature that would interface with BIM, using ClearCalcs is the less disruptive to my design workflow”, Lawrence notes.
Before ClearCalcs, Lawrence relied on manual calculations to figure out load capacities, lateral forces, and other structural details. He used span tables and wind resistance references, performing each calculation by hand.
“Previously, I was using longhand calculations… you have to do everything by hand with a calculator,” he says. These methods were time-consuming and made it harder to scale his work.
With ClearCalcs, all of that changed. Automated tools, like the joist span calculator and lateral load analysis, replaced manual processes. Tasks that once took hours could now be completed in minutes.
Lawrence estimates ClearCalcs has reduced his workload by over 75%, freeing up time to take on more projects without sacrificing quality.
"ClearCalcs has significantly improved my workflow," Lawrence shares. "I would say that it cuts it by more than a half, maybe three quarters."
ClearCalcs also helped Lawrence create professional, well-structured PDF reports for clients and building authorities. These reports are easy to read and provide all the necessary details for project approvals.
“I’ve gotten comments from the authorities; they like the fact that it’s laid out very clearly,” Lawrence notes.
This transparency not only speeds up approvals but also strengthens trust with his clients, enhancing his reputation for precision and professionalism.
For Lawrence, success in architecture is about creating designs that seamlessly balance form and function. His goal is to design sustainable, health-conscious buildings that benefit their occupants and fit naturally into their surroundings.
“For me, architecture is not about imposing art without purpose, but allowing it to emerge organically from the harmony of form and function,” he says.
This philosophy was exemplified in one of Lawrence’s standout projects: the restoration of a flood-damaged home along Arizona’s East Verde River.
After a devastating flood destroyed two of the home’s structural columns, rendering the building unsafe, Lawrence developed a solution that combined resilience and elegance. By replacing the stone columns with Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel (AESS), he created a design that harmonized strength, minimalism, and beauty.
“These columns didn’t merely support the structure—they allowed the home to withstand extreme environmental forces while conveying the beauty and efficiency inherent in simplicity,” he notes.
ClearCalcs has made achieving that vision much easier. By reducing manual calculations and automating complex tasks, the software has increased Lawrence’s productivity and given him more time to focus on the creative aspects of his work.
“It’s like night and day,” he says of the difference ClearCalcs has made. “ClearCalcs has been leagues beyond having to do it all by hand.”
With its simple tools and adaptability, ClearCalcs has helped Lawrence manage more projects without compromising quality.
“ClearCalcs is simple to use and adaptable to the parameters of structural design for many projects,” he says.
For Lawrence, ClearCalcs is more than a tool—it’s a way to make his vision a reality, delivering designs that are as sustainable as they are beautiful.
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