The Ojai that renowned architect Marc Whitman grew up in is very different than it is now. And in the ways that it is better, Marc can take some of the credit, through his prolific career with residential and commercial buildings, such as Saddle Mountain and the Iguana Hotels.

Recently, Marc proposed a plan to convert the 7.5 acres in downtown Ojai to an arts academy and live-work space, literally building on Ojai's reputation as an arts destination. We talk about that project and other concepts, before bridging into a wide range of topics, including his love for Antoni Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia, being mentored by Zelma Wilson, his artist mother fostering her children's creativity, as well as future projects and plans.

We did not talk about sniper rifles, Soviet-era social organizations or the muskie fishing in southern Ontario.

You can learn more about Marc at www.whitman-architect.com.