Meet The Team: Mr. Bob
Each week we’ll introduce a member of the CDFL team, or as we like to think of ourselves, the “us” in the Power of Plus.
This week we are excited to present a special edition of our Meet the Team feature as we introduce an important member of the CDFL family, Bob Farr. Mr. Bob, as he is more affectionately known, is one of our founding partners and the sole architect on the original CDF team. A native of New Jersey, Mr. Bob has made Mississippi his home for over six decades and made a profound impact on his adopted home’s built environment. From the little gas station on Livingston Road to the Power of Plus, Mr. Bob has seen and continues to see it all; or, as he says, “I still have to come in to keep tabs on everyone and drink coffee.”
How have things changed at CDFL (formerly CDF) since you and the other founding partners started the business?
Well, things are basically the same. The three of us worked together so well in our respective disciplines – Mr. Cooke in civil engineering, Mr. Douglass in mechanical engineering, and myself in architecture – that we thought creating our own multi-disciplinary business would be a success, so we set it up that way. It was successful then because no one was really doing it, and it is still successful today. Of course, there are some differences. The computers make it easier, design trends have changed, and we have a real marketing department but overall the practice itself remains the same.
As someone who is a member of said marketing department, I’m curious to know some of the ways you acquired new business when CDF was in its infancy – what did you do to market yourselves to new clients?
Our first office happened to be located next to a printing shop- down at the corner of Gallatin and Terry Road. When we needed PR we would go over and talk to them and they would create brochures for us. It was very lucky!
Speaking of those early days, tell us about your first projects.
Our first project was for a company called Clinton Oil Company of the South. The job sounds much bigger and more important than it actually was! We built two gas stations for them and they were tiny. The stations weren’t much bigger than the cubicle we’re in now. The man in charge was very interested in trains and found their space-efficiency fascinating. So, he wanted tiny, space-efficient bathrooms – those bathrooms ended up being so small we had to cut off part of the toilets just to close the door! One of our other early jobs was a clinic at Hinds Community College- two doctors walked right up to our door and asked for our help. It turns out they had been referred by one of our other neighbors, a dentist we had designed an office for. CDFL built that clinic along with its two additions, and we are now working on the renovation.
Do you have a favorite project?
I don’t really – asking me to pick a favorite project is like asking who my favorite child is! Every project is my favorite. They all have some element that speaks to you.
What is your dream project?
A white cube beach house.
A couple of quick-hitters to wrap up: Favorite movie?
It’s got to be Casablanca. I just watched it again the other day and it’s still great.
Favorite TV show?
MASH