14-08 2022 17:59
wrote:
To “edi,”
We are writing these few words in deep sorrow of not being able to talk and laugh with you any longer, and that after almost twenty years of having had the honor to work with you.
Yes, we write “edi” with a small “e.” This is how you always signed your correspondence, and very few people noticed this humble gesture on your part.
We recall your amazing dedication to disciplines that were not even yours, but that you managed to make your own while literally constructing a foundation out of nothing. You became an advocate of promoting sustainable construction at a time when we did not even know what this might entail. You were a virtuoso in everything you did, bringing to the disciplines associated with the construction of the built environment your ability to listen, to tie things together, to communicate, to summarize, to connect, to inspire, and to make sure that we all remained on track. You repeatedly asked us to “make it simple,” clarity of thought and action being of upmost importance to you, while fighting for the cause.
You were a master of dealing with unexpected logistical challenges. As a matter of fact, you thrived on those moments when best laid plans – which you meticulously crafted to bring a message across – were derailed. Accordingly, you always had a ‘plan B’ ready to go. Yet at times, not even these would solve the problems at hand. These were the moments when another of your traits was brought to the fore, namely, your ability to improvise. And here again, you were a master at that. Problem-solving was an art for you that you playfully deployed on the run.
We have many anecdotes and stories regarding such instances, often while traveling with you across the globe.
One of the memorable moments that comes to mind with Sarah was in Singapore in 2010.
She recalls: “Edi had engaged me to give a series of lectures on our sustainable architecture in places as diverse as Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, and Shanghai, among others. Following the talk at a conference in Singapore, Edi and I went to dinner before I was to fly to Vietnam. I began checking my watch as we wandered back through the city, but he assured me we had plenty of time to get me to the airport. However, when we got back to the luxury hotel – the same venue as the conference – there was a long que for taxis, as something or other had disrupted the normal patterns of smooth transport. Edi approached the concierge and was immediately very annoyed at the response. As he had in fact spent a good deal of money supporting the conference and guests over the past few days, he was not about to be put off. So, he turned to me and issued a clear directive that I be parked some distance from his upcoming tantrum at the concierge desk. He was about to turn on his get-the-job-done-now-and-don’t-mess-about demeanor. Of course, it worked. Edi then whisked me to the front of the que in front of protesting sheiks and with charm smoothly ushered the taxi getaway speeding to the airport. Edi could and regularly did work logistical miracles.”
Another such memorable moment, this time with Marc, was in Mexico City, incidentally also in 2010.
He recalls: “At the end of the three-day forum ‘Re-inventing Construction’ – where I had organized a workshop on mining materials from the city – Edi went on stage and announced to the plenum that all travel from Mexico to European destinations had been cancelled due to a volcano eruption in Iceland. Though the name of the volcano is unpronounceable for any average being, Edi effortlessly declared that the ‘Eyjafjallajökull had emitted clouds of fine-grained ash that would affect global travel for many days to come.’ Most conference participants were stranded. It was then that I saw Edi operate, not only without script, but with great ease to solve a slew of challenges. Foremost, he had to get his team on board – not an easy thing to do since they had already given all they had. Then, the participants had to be calmed down – each one was ‘special’ and expected special treatment. Accommodations for everybody had to be found – easier said than done as most hotels were booked. Lastly, he and his team were in constant contact with aircraft companies to see through which routes and timetables people could return home. During all of this, which lasted nearly a week, Edi was the epitome of calmness, never lost his humor, remained professional, all the while doing magic.”
Indeed, “edi” could and regularly did work wonders. It was a great honor to work with you!
We will miss you terribly,
Sarah Graham and Marc Angélil
Los Angeles, August 14, 2022
14-08 2022 17:59
wrote:
To “edi,”
We are writing these few words in deep sorrow of not being able to talk and laugh with you any longer, and that after almost twenty years of having had the honor to work with you.
Yes, we write “edi” with a small “e.” This is how you always signed your correspondence, and very few people noticed this humble gesture on your part.
We recall your amazing dedication to disciplines that were not even yours, but that you managed to make your own while literally constructing a foundation out of nothing. You became an advocate of promoting sustainable construction at a time when we did not even know what this might entail. You were a virtuoso in everything you did, bringing to the disciplines associated with the construction of the built environment your ability to listen, to tie things together, to communicate, to summarize, to connect, to inspire, and to make sure that we all remained on track. You repeatedly asked us to “make it simple,” clarity of thought and action being of upmost importance to you, while fighting for the cause.
You were a master of dealing with unexpected logistical challenges. As a matter of fact, you thrived on those moments when best laid plans – which you meticulously crafted to bring a message across – were derailed. Accordingly, you always had a ‘plan B’ ready to go. Yet at times, not even these would solve the problems at hand. These were the moments when another of your traits was brought to the fore, namely, your ability to improvise. And here again, you were a master at that. Problem-solving was an art for you that you playfully deployed on the run.
We have many anecdotes and stories regarding such instances, often while traveling with you across the globe.
One of the memorable moments that comes to mind with Sarah was in Singapore in 2010.
She recalls: “Edi had engaged me to give a series of lectures on our sustainable architecture in places as diverse as Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, and Shanghai, among others. Following the talk at a conference in Singapore, Edi and I went to dinner before I was to fly to Vietnam. I began checking my watch as we wandered back through the city, but he assured me we had plenty of time to get me to the airport. However, when we got back to the luxury hotel – the same venue as the conference – there was a long que for taxis, as something or other had disrupted the normal patterns of smooth transport. Edi approached the concierge and was immediately very annoyed at the response. As he had in fact spent a good deal of money supporting the conference and guests over the past few days, he was not about to be put off. So, he turned to me and issued a clear directive that I be parked some distance from his upcoming tantrum at the concierge desk. He was about to turn on his get-the-job-done-now-and-don’t-mess-about demeanor. Of course, it worked. Edi then whisked me to the front of the que in front of protesting sheiks and with charm smoothly ushered the taxi getaway speeding to the airport. Edi could and regularly did work logistical miracles.”
Another such memorable moment, this time with Marc, was in Mexico City, incidentally also in 2010.
He recalls: “At the end of the three-day forum ‘Re-inventing Construction’ – where I had organized a workshop on mining materials from the city – Edi went on stage and announced to the plenum that all travel from Mexico to European destinations had been cancelled due to a volcano eruption in Iceland. Though the name of the volcano is unpronounceable for any average being, Edi effortlessly declared that the ‘Eyjafjallajökull had emitted clouds of fine-grained ash that would affect global travel for many days to come.’ Most conference participants were stranded. It was then that I saw Edi operate, not only without script, but with great ease to solve a slew of challenges. Foremost, he had to get his team on board – not an easy thing to do since they had already given all they had. Then, the participants had to be calmed down – each one was ‘special’ and expected special treatment. Accommodations for everybody had to be found – easier said than done as most hotels were booked. Lastly, he and his team were in constant contact with aircraft companies to see through which routes and timetables people could return home. During all of this, which lasted nearly a week, Edi was the epitome of calmness, never lost his humor, remained professional, all the while doing magic.”
Indeed, “edi” could and regularly did work wonders. It was a great honor to work with you!
We will miss you terribly,
Sarah Graham and Marc Angélil
Los Angeles, August 14, 2022
