Ron Wells, an established architect from Spokane, WA, has had a passion since even before he began his career: the preservation of old, solid and historical buildings from before the advent of particle boards. Where some see money in bringing the demolition ball to turn-of-the-(last)-century structures, and building disposable structures, Ron sees instead an opportunity to create a sense of patrimony and belonging for the public. His specialty: preserving as many old, sometimes industrial buildings as he can. An artist in his own right, Ron extracts charm and poetry out of dusty beams and rusty pipes in such a way as to infuse a sense of pride and history into a community. In this interview, Ron shows off the “Steam Plant” in downtown Spokane, an abandoned “pile of bricks” he turned from an embarrassment to the pride of Downtown Spokane.