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3 Woody Friese Architecture FT LAUDERDALE, FL According to Woody Friese, architecture must be viewed as living art. Growing up, he idolized modern architects such as Richard Meier and Frank Gehry for their abstract approach, and knew he'd found his passion when he took his first drafting class at 13. He wanted, like these men before him, to create structures for generations of people to appreciate. In 1993, he completed school from the University of South Florida as the youngest student with a master's degree in architecture and opened his own award-winning firm, Friese Design Group, four years later. But a catastrophic ATV accident in 2005 left Woody a quadriplegic. He closed his firm and spent the next six years undergoing intensive physical and occupational therapy, eventually regaining the use of his hands and—thanks to a close friend and colleague—returned to the work that he loves. He joined VDG Architecture as the principal architect and lead designer in 2011. Now working under his own firm again, Woody offers his clients complete architectural design and site planning utilizing the latest 3D walk-through technology. With this, homeowners can see their future house and experience Woody's distinct artistic modern design before it's even built. With the theory that "A unique design for an innovative mind," Woody believes you cannot have impressive architecture without bold clients. He understands that a truly great residence not only projects a vibrant impression but works well for the people that live there. Watching his clients settle into their new living work of art is his greatest joy.

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