OPN mourns Jim Miller’s unexpected passing
Our OPN family is grieving a loss after the unexpected passing of our friend and colleague Jim Miller on Nov. 1.
A native of Osceola, Jim knew he wanted to be an architect when he received his first set of Lincoln Logs for Christmas in 1962. He went on to earn a bachelor degree in architecture from the University of Kansas and a masters degree with an emphasis in preservation and restoration from the University of Minnesota. Before joining OPN in 2015, Jim was a Senior Design Project Architect for Target Corporation working on the new store and special projects Store Design Team developing, coordinating and acquiring design entitlements for developments in the Northeast United States and in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Ontario, and in the greater Montreal market. He also practiced with the firm Miller Dunwiddie Architecture in Minneapolis.
Jim was inspired by the Roman architect Vitruvius’ belief that all architecture should aspire for a balance of strength, function, and beauty — Firmitas, Utilitas, Venustas.
Strength
He appreciated an architect’s ability to enhance environments through thoughtful and purposeful design.
Function
Construction was his favorite phase of the design process.
Beauty
This view was his favorite:
Like many Iowans, Jim had a penchant for morel mushrooms. He also had a wry sense of humor, revealed in several responses to a recent staff survey.
If there was a movie about your life, who would star as you?
Given this will likely be a 30 second infomercial, I’ll go with Marcel Marceux…he can do more with less.
What animal would you be and why?
Porcupine….you’re extended respect for just being who you are
What are you reading right now?
People still read…I thought everything was on audio?
We will miss you Jim.