Building on an Island

People ask me why I build from a 40-acre property on Denman Island instead of San Francisco or New York.

The answer is simple: clarity.

Cities are optimized for serendipity. Islands are optimized for depth. I've done the city thing. I've done the co-working spaces, the networking events, the "let's grab coffee" meetings that go nowhere.

What I've found is that the most important work happens in silence. Strategy needs space. Architecture needs patience. Writing needs solitude.

The internet means I can coordinate with anyone, anywhere. The island means I can think without interruption.

Remote isn't a limitation. It's a competitive advantage — if you know how to use it.