Mark P Finlay

Early life

Mark P. Finlay was born in Kansas City, Missouri and spent his early childhood in the Chicago suburb of Northbrook, Illinois. In 1967, Finlay and his family relocated to New Canaan, Connecticut. At the age of 14, Finlay designed his family's new home alongside his father and first discovered his love for architecture.

Coinciding with his family's move, Finlay was immersed into the world of modern architecture. Throughout New Canaan, midcentury modern homes were being designed and built by the renowned Harvard Five, among many other emerging architects.

At 15, Finlay began working for local architecture firms, interning for Raymond J. Kelley, David Coffin, and Gary Lindstrom. His lifelong hobbies began at this time as well; he was the drummer in several bands and played on the varsity hockey and soccer teams at New Canaan High School.

Education

Finlay went on to study at the Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, Massachusetts. While at Wentworth, Finlay served as class president and was captain of the hockey team. After earning his associate degree in Architectural Engineering Technology, he continued his studies at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, where he earned top honors in architectural design and received his Bachelor of Architecture degree. During his last semester at the University of Kentucky, Finlay traveled to Paris, France and Venice, Italy to study classical art and architecture. He is a member of the Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society in Architecture and Allied Arts.

Career

After college, Finlay went to work for the firm of Roche-Dinkeloo (formerly Eero Saarinen's firm) in Hamden, Connecticut for seven years. While there, he worked on designs and production for large scale corporate and institutional projects, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, General Foods Corporation Headquarters, Denver Center of Performing Arts, Central Park Zoo, and the Union Carbide Corporation World Headquarters. During Finlay's time at KRJDA, he fortified his academic modernist training with projects that offered a methodical and rigorous experience in contemporary architectural detailing.

Mark P. Finlay Architects, AIA

In 1984, Finlay established Mark P. Finlay Architects, AIA, seeking a greater level of contextualism and comfort in his designs, particularly in residential projects.

In the firm's initial year, it won Fairfield Center's Streetscape Design Competition for the redesign of downtown Fairfield, Connecticut. As a result, the firm began to specialize in both residential and commercial buildings before becoming more widely known for their custom high-end residences and golf clubs. With work in over twenty states, the firm has amassed a diverse portfolio of distinguished projects ranging from a historic restaurant in Savannah, Georgia, to the largest post and beam barn structure in America.

The firm's work has been honored with numerous awards and has appeared in many regional and national publications, including Architectural Digest, Better Homes and Gardens, Elle Decor, and Golf Digest.

In 2008, The Library of Human Imagination, a Mark P. Finlay-designed private library, was the subject of a three-part TED Talk by Jay Walker. The 3,600 square foot library contains 38,000 books and numerous museum-quality artifacts.

In 2012, HGTV's 'Million Dollar Rooms' featured a Connecticut barn designed by the firm. MTV's 'Teen Cribs' showcased a private residence in Connecticut, and the residence also served as the set for the Disney film Old Dogs.

In 2013, Mark P. Finlay Architects, AIA expanded to include an in-house interior design team, Mark P. Finlay Interiors, LLC. Mark P. Finlay Architects, AIA employs over thirty professionals, including four partners and over a dozen architectural associates.

Finlay is a member of the American Institute of Architects, the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art, and the Connecticut Society of Architects. He is a registered architect in nineteen states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

The firm is currently developing designs for Fishers Island Club in Fisher's Island, New York, and Trinity Forest Golf Club, a new private golf club in Dallas, Texas.

Personal life

Finlay and his wife, Jeanne Callaway Finlay, live in Fairfield, Connecticut and have four children: Page, Dirk, Chase and Luke.

Page Finlay (born in 1985) is a talented interior designer and entrepreneur. She is the founding owner and manager of Dig a Pony Bar in Portland, Oregon. Dirk (born in 1988) is a gifted craftsman and avid fisherman. He graduated from the prestigious North Bennet Street School in Boston, Massachusetts where he learned 18th century furniture making. Dirk has built many pieces designed by his father's firm. Chase Finlay (born in 1990) is a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet and the youngest male principal with the company. Luke Finlay (born in 1992) is a skilled musician and graphic designer. He attended the Paier School of Art in Hamden, Connecticut and works as a screen printer and graphic designer.

Music is a large part of the Finlay household, as Finlay is an accomplished drummer, while his wife Jeanne is a trained classical singer and harpist.

Finlay is an avid golfer and a member of several prestigious international clubs, including Royal Dornoch Golf Club, The Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle, and The Nairn Golf Club, all located in Scotland. In addition to being a member of the following national clubs, Finlay is also responsible for designing their distinctive clubhouses: RedStick Golf Club in Vero Beach, FL, The Golf Club at Briar's Creek in John's Island, SC, The Patterson Club in Fairfield, CT, Glen Arbor Golf Club in Bedford Hills, NY, Sankaty Head Golf Club in Nantucket, MA, and The Alotian Club in Little Rock, AR.

Heritage

Finlay's heritage on his paternal side can be traced back to the Highlands of Scotland and the Clan Farquharson. The genealogical line on his maternal side goes back to the early American colonies of Middle Plantation (Virginia) (present-day Williamsburg) and Jamestown, Virginia.

Finlay's ancestor, Colonel John Page (Middle Plantation) (1628–1692), was a prosperous merchant and served as a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses and Virginia's Governor's Council. John Page's grandson, Mann Page (1691–1730), is known for building Rosewell (plantation), one of the largest and finest American houses of the colonial period. Mann Page's son, John Page (Virginia politician) (1743–1808), was a colonel in the American Revolutionary War and later served as the 13th Governor of Virginia and a member of the United States Congress.

Finlay's great aunt, Ruth Page (1899–1991), was a prominent American ballerina and choreographer and founded the Ruth Page Center for the Arts in Chicago, Illinois. Her brother, Irvine Page (1901–1991), was a renowned physiologist who spearheaded research on hypertension and founded the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.