“I’m from Washington, D.C. I have a relative graduating from college in a couple days. Been here only a day – we’re only here for a couple days. Doing family things, going to museums, look at the planetarium, the aquarium.
Grew up in Spain. I was there for 8 years. My father was in the military – we were leaving to come back to the United States. Went back a couple years ago. It’s definitely a place I’d love to visit as much as I could. Took [my daughter] when she was about 2 years old. It was a lot of fun.
I’m an architect. [I design] Schools. Just always liked building things and drawing. Just kinda naturally gravitated toward architecture. I mean, I like designing learning environments, knowing that you’re designing a school where kids are going to be educated. It’s kind of a rewarding experience.
Well I mean it varies school to school, but generally, you’re trying to figure out the particular needs of the school. Most of the ones I do are probably additions to existing buildings, trying to expand capacity, expanding student body. So trying to make schools bigger and trying to accommodate growing populations. Certain neighborhoods.
The pace that the projects are going are a lot faster, so it makes it more challenging having to go at a faster pace and designing them. Use of the computers have definitely changed a lot since I first started. Projects get more and more complex. Technology is harder and harder to predict. Some things definitely make it easier, but not knowing what the technology is going to be two years from now are definitely – can be a challenge too.
I mean, lately, it’s been more trying to find opportunities for students to engage in learning. Finding how a building can kind of support teaching and learning. I think the idea of schools as cultural transmissions is something that’s been – something I think a lot more about now.
I have other passions, but [architecture]’s certainly one that’s been with me for the longest time. I like bicycles. My daughter, my family. It’s kind of a new experience watching a child grow up. Definitely changes a lot of things. Yeah, when you stop and think, your focus starts to shift towards more what you can do for your child than what you can do for yourself. Wanting to see growth in somebody else as opposed to yourself. What you can do to better yourself has a different focus to it. Certainly, make sure she gets a good education. Find out what her passions are and support that.”
Excerpt may be edited for clarity.