INTERVIEWS WITH NEW MEMBERS: MAR 2023

WHAT’S YOUR NAME?

Ana Cubit

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO CHOOSE THE FIELD OF ARCHITECTURE?

I was one of those kids who was always doing something creative like building sandcastles and designing amusement parks on roller coaster tycoon. But the truth is it took an aptitude test to encourage me to take the first step into architecture.

WHAT TYPE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST INTERESTED IN?

Residential, homes should be sanctuaries and I love helping people create that space.

WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES SINCE OBTAINING YOUR ARCHITECTURE DEGREE?

I graduated with my masters during the pandemic, it felt like no one knew what was going to happen next. It was a challenge trying to navigate the professional world during this time, but now I’m more confident in my ability to overcome obstacles.

WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL?

Seeing a variety of perspectives come together in one space. It’s amazing to see completely different projects come from the same prompt.

ANY CRITICISMS OF THE ARCHITECTURE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE?

In my experience, there is somewhat of a disconnect from school and the professional world. There should be more emphasis on classes that teach us about each step of a project process as well as the business side of architecture. Both of these would help students gain more professional experience easing the transition from school to working as a designer/architect.

WHAT ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS?

I am still new to the profession, but I want to be licensed and gain the experience to manage my own projects. 

WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE ARCHITECTS?

Denise Scott Brown and Zaha Hadid. 

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE BUILDING OR CITY?

Philadelphia.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO GET OUT OF YOUR AIA BROOKLYN CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP?

I’m excited to meet new architects and designers as well as learn more about Brooklyn. 

WHAT’S YOUR NAME?

Jesus Chavez

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO CHOOSE THE FIELD OF ARCHITECTURE?

It all began when I took on a journeyman position with my uncle’s plumbing company, RS Plumbing. I’ve always been into construction and enjoyed working with my hands but little did I know this job would change my life forever. I used to look at buildings as buildings, I never understood them, they were just cores and shells to me with some glass but one day my uncle took me to a job with whom he had a contract. That company turned out to be Samitaur Constructs who basically developed all the Eric Owen Moss Projects in Downtown Culver City, California. I’ve always been creative and I’ve tried to funnel it in many different ways whether it was with music or writing but I had no idea buildings could move in the way EOM buildings did, it was punk and rebellious to me and refreshing. From there I just dove deep, found the field that I’ve been looking for and haven’t looked back since. 

WHAT TYPE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST INTERESTED IN?

Throughout my career I’ve worked on a variety of scales, but as of recently I’ve been working on a tower in Manhattan and it’s sparked my interest in large scale developments.

WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES SINCE OBTAINING YOUR ARCHITECTURE DEGREE?

I wanna say my biggest challenge has been realizing Architecture has many languages in every phase of development. After my B.Arch, my Architectural language was still very obvious that I just graduated, but as I’ve moved through the phases, I’ve become more in sync with the field. 

WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL?

The people, ha ha! The people curated an environment for me that I have never been exposed to. It was truly a gift to attend school with people who thought like me, and had the same interest. Architecture school was not easy, but the people gave it a charm.

ANY CRITICISMS OF THE ARCHITECTURE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE?

I think the on-going battle with Architecture programs is the favoritism it creates amongst professors. It’s really hard to believe in yourself when teachers favor others, and create toxic competition between students. 

WHAT ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS?

Straight out school? I think everyone wants to get licensed, but after 4 years in the field I finally feel committed to licensure. I’d like to climb up the ladder but still find ways to pay it forward with outreach and pro-bono work. 

WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE ARCHITECTS?

That’s a great question, it’s like which era of their lives? Ha ha! I really favor Frank Gehry, but not so much after 2010. Frank’s really early work in California through the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s is one of the most creative works I have ever seen in single family residential. I’ve appreciated his diversity in mediums and bringing back the design to the hand through physical models. Amongst others, I really appreciate Marcel Breuer, Lina Bo Bardi, Denise Scott Brown, James Wines, Luis Barragán and Paul Virilio.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE BUILDING OR CITY?

It’s definitely New York City, and the Met-Breur.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO GET OUT OF YOUR AIA BROOKLYN CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP?

I recently moved here from Los Angeles, so I am looking forward to continuing networking, learning and meeting new opinions. 

WHAT’S YOUR NAME?

Chris Aniftos

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO CHOOSE THE FIELD OF ARCHITECTURE?

I grew up around construction, my father is an engineer. From a young age I have always been fascinated with memories and experiences, and I think I always wanted to contribute to that within the physical world and the built environment.

WHAT TYPE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST INTERESTED IN?

Retail, Hospitality, Public Installations and experimental work such as art and production design.

WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES SINCE OBTAINING YOUR ARCHITECTURE DEGREE?

Learning and adapting to the less creative (although equally important) aspects of architecture.

WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL?

The collaborative environment, being able to work and think up ideas with my classmates. Also, the dynamic fostering of creativity and innovative design idea. 

ANY CRITICISMS OF THE ARCHITECTURE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE?

I think it gives a little bit of a false idea of what working in the architectural field is actually like. Most students don’t end up working for the biggest firms in the world and designing the most cutting-edge buildings in the world right when they graduate.

WHAT ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS?

To get my license and someday work on a public installation, whether that be an art piece of a park project. Also, as the child of Cypriot immigrants, to work on something beautiful in Cyprus or my home in NYC would be incredible.

WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE ARCHITECTS?
Daniel Libeskind, Lebbeus Woods, Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Santiago Calatrava.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE BUILDING OR CITY?

Being a native new yorker, I will have to say NYC!

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO GET OUT OF YOUR AIA BROOKLYN CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP?

To meet emerging architects in Brooklyn, I love to connect and learn from my colleagues in the community. 

WHAT’S YOUR NAME?

Davis Owen

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO CHOOSE THE FIELD OF ARCHITECTURE?

I was a shy kid, and I had an art teacher that let me run off and make charcoal sketches in the dusty library. I think the experience of drawing something repetitively, iteratively, had a strong effect on me.

WHAT TYPE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST INTERESTED IN?

Work that serves a public, work that is strange. 

WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES SINCE OBTAINING YOUR ARCHITECTURE DEGREE?

Learning to run our practice has been the biggest challenge. I think young designers–including myself–can get siloed from the full scope of an architect’s services and responsibilities.

WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL?

I really appreciated moving between studio, theory, and fabrication. It was exhilarating to put your work into context and to debate perspectives. I found studio a very satisfying format for learning. 

ANY CRITICISMS OF THE ARCHITECTURE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE?

Despite its freedoms, the studio model can be punishing to students. I entered grad school with a bachelors in architecture, yet many of my classmates were in their first studio. Furthermore, it often falls on junior faculty to train/educate young students. I think the combination of those two constraints often reinforces bad habits and a disrespect for personal boundaries.

WHAT ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS?

I’d like to keep building! We’re also trying to find new ways of connecting with our community in Red Hook.

WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE ARCHITECTS?

Shinohara, because he’s the master. Poelzig, he’s so punk.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE BUILDING OR CITY?

No, I frankly am more interested in architecture being built away from our largest, densest cities. I saw Bohm’s Königin des Friedens church a few years ago. Its form and relation to the town was incredible; it felt radical yet completely appropriate.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO GET OUT OF YOUR AIA BROOKLYN CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP?

I’m hoping to learn from some of the great architects in the community! 

WHAT’S YOUR NAME?

Japheth Aleyakpo

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO CHOOSE THE FIELD OF ARCHITECTURE?

I would say my love for space and art and also my constant visits to my Father’s office. He was a technician and principal of the technical department in Lagos, Nigeria. I was surrounded by technical drawings and that also slowly inspired me. I initially wanted to become a Pilot but my love for space and design was and still is very strong.

WHAT TYPE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST INTERESTED IN?

Residential is my favorite. (Coming from my background) I wanted to be able to design something very aesthetically pleasing and comfortable with elements beneficial to the client regardless of their amount or low budget.

WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES SINCE OBTAINING YOUR ARCHITECTURE DEGREE?

The somewhat limitation and restrictions to my creativity with the real-world constraints and also the method of the construction approach.

WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL?

I schooled in Nigeria and the UK and I am appreciative of the fact that I could actually visit case studies/precedents in person as opposed to just checking it online and also learning so much about the challenges some architects had to go through and the boundaries of breaking the norm leading to a functional innovative idea that has stood the test of time and is very relevant in today’s world.

ANY CRITICISMS OF THE ARCHITECTURE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE?

For me, I would say the amount of time designated to teaching construction is sadly low compared to the time allocated to design and graphics (which I do enjoy) but in the real world, precise construction is very important because you are dealing with the safety and comfort of people and also the client’s money and time is at stake.

WHAT ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS?

I am currently on my path to getting my licensure and I look forward to networking with other AIA Assoc. members so I can learn more and fully understand & adapt to the Architectural community and also own my own firm someday.

WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE ARCHITECTS?

Mies Van der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright, Renzo Piano & David Adjaye.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE BUILDING OR CITY?

I don’t necessarily have a favorite building but my favorite cities are Lagos (Nigeria) & NYC.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO GET OUT OF YOUR AIA BROOKLYN CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP?

I hope to meet and connect with the architectural community and hopefully get some resources to help in my licensure journey.

WHAT’S YOUR NAME?

Jimmy Counts

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO CHOOSE THE FIELD OF ARCHITECTURE?

I participated in a 2-week introduction to architecture program called “Design Discovery” at Kansas State University the summer between my junior and senior year in high school. It was an immersive experience that was fun and incredibly challenging. I was hooked.

WHAT TYPE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST INTERESTED IN?

I’ve worked on all types of projects, but the ones I find most interesting are projects that which benefit the public in some way: libraries, community centers, etc.

WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES SINCE OBTAINING YOUR ARCHITECTURE DEGREE?

Navigating the profession and finding where I fit within it. There are so many opportunities. It takes time to discover who you are and what you like.

WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL?

The friendships made and challenges faced. The majority of my instructors took great pride in teaching and they passed on what they knew in fun and inspirational ways.

ANY CRITICISMS OF THE ARCHITECTURE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE?

I would like to see more diversity in undergraduate programs. I worry about the future of the profession and the types of clients we serve.

WHAT ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS?

To create memorable interiors and make great buildings. And to pass on what I have learned to the next generations.

WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE ARCHITECTS?

Alvaro Siza Vieira and Luis Barragán. I’ve been fortunate to visit several of their projects in person and they do not disappoint.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE BUILDING OR CITY?

I love New York City. There’s never a dull moment.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO GET OUT OF YOUR AIA BROOKLYN CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP?

Involvement and connections. I’ve lived in Brooklyn for over 20 years. This is my home.

WHAT’S YOUR NAME?

Andrew Hong

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO CHOOSE THE FIELD OF ARCHITECTURE?

Growing up, I had some opportunities to travel around the world, so being able to see different styles and iconic architecture was inspiring especially coming from the suburbs.

WHAT TYPE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST INTERESTED IN?

I am interested in large scale projects especially in New York City that can have a lot of impact on the city fabric. 

WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES SINCE OBTAINING YOUR ARCHITECTURE DEGREE?

Navigating architecture in a more professional, rigorous setting as well as studying for the AREs.

WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL?

I loved the freedom and taking ownership of the design process.  

ANY CRITICISMS OF THE ARCHITECTURE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE?

I wished there was more engagement with architecture related field such as engineers, lighting designers, and other consultants. I think to have a successful project, it’s important to understand and know the intentions and goals of the consultants we work with. 

WHAT ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS?

My professional goal at this early stage is to learn as much technical knowledge so it can inform how I design. 

WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE ARCHITECTS?

Peter Zumthor, Gordon Bunshaft and David Chipperfield.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE BUILDING OR CITY?

Chichu Art Museum and Porto.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO GET OUT OF YOUR AIA BROOKLYN CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP?

To connect with architects in my community and learn from their experience and expertise.

WHAT’S YOUR NAME?

Angeline Jacques

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO CHOOSE THE FIELD OF ARCHITECTURE?

In my middle school tech ed class, we were asked to hand-draft a model of a garden shed and then construct it out of balsa wood. I was fascinated by the process of imagining something, drawing it, and then seeing it come to life. As I progressed through school, I saw that architecture was not only a way to make buildings, but also a way to address social issues and improve the built environment we live in. I loved that it is both a vehicle for creativity and for problem-solving.

WHAT TYPE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST INTERESTED IN?

My graduate work and personal projects have largely revolved around the built environment’s relationship to nature and the non-human creatures that live in it. Whether we build in a pastoral landscape or in Manhattan, we are always building within nature and within the lives of the birds, rats, and plants that we share our environment with. I’m interested in the way we have shaped, framed, and addressed this relationship through built projects.

WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES SINCE OBTAINING YOUR ARCHITECTURE DEGREE?

I finished my graduate education in January 2020, so pretty shortly afterwards I was suddenly working remotely at my first post-graduate job. My biggest challenge was learning how to ask the right questions when I wasn’t physically in the office and how to approximate the osmosis learning that happens as a young designer. It took initiative and a willingness to speak up when I needed more clarification. I think a lot of designers who came into the profession in the last few years had to develop these skills quickly, and they have continued to be beneficial to me even as we moved back to in-person work.

WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL?

I liked the ethos that architecture is a truly interdisciplinary field and that many problems or interests could be discussed through the lens of design. I didn’t expect my lifelong love of wildlife and nature to play so heavily into my work, but I was invited to explore that throughout my graduate studies. In the professional world, it can sometimes be difficult to remember how interconnected architecture is with other issues, but it’s important to remember that we can be thinkers within a multi-faceted world outside the sometimes-esoteric world of architecture and construction.

ANY CRITICISMS OF THE ARCHITECTURE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE?

As a first-generation college student from a low-income household, the socio-economic assumptions made in architecture school came as a real culture shock to me. Even within my relatively financially generous program, considerations such as physical model costs were often ignored. I juggled demanding studio assignments with multiple jobs, sometimes spending less time in studio than my classmates out of financial necessity. As a profession, we are deeply in need of increased diversity, but the economic difficulty of architecture education continues to work against those efforts. I hope to see an increased emphasis on creating affordable schooling opportunities for everyone on the socio-economic spectrum.

WHAT ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS?

I achieved licensure in 2022, and I am still doing some soul searching on how to define professional goals for myself now that I have checked off the straightforward boxes of registration. Right now, my goals are still largely personal: learning how to manage a project effectively, developing my communication skills with clients and contractors, and advocating for my design ideas. One day, I’d love to design a project that develops my preoccupations with framing nature and multi-species architecture.

WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE ARCHITECTS?

Design-wise, I draw a lot of inspiration from Japanese architecture firms, such as Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP. However, I’m a proponent of the shift towards recognizing architecture as a team collaboration with many contributors rather than the brainchild of one or two creative minds. The best architects, I think, are the ones that can effectively address complex issues while still maintaining an equitable and fair workplace.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE BUILDING OR CITY?

I just relocated to New York in November, so right now I am thoroughly enjoying geeking out around the city on the weekends.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO GET OUT OF YOUR AIA BROOKLYN CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP?

I hope to gain a network of like-minded colleagues and opportunities to broaden my own horizons by hearing about other practices and work! I’m so excited to be in Brooklyn and looking forward to getting involved with this excellent AIA chapter.

WHAT’S YOUR NAME?

Saakshi Aundhkar

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO CHOOSE THE FIELD OF ARCHITECTURE?

It is fascinating to know the way buildings and spaces can impact our daily lives. From a young age, I was drawn to solving problems using creativity and it interested me how architects could design structures that were not only functional but also beautiful and inspiring. As I grew older, I began to appreciate the art and science behind architecture and the role it plays in shaping our built environment. This led me to pursue a career in the field of architecture.

WHAT TYPE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST INTERESTED IN?

I am most interested in work that challenges me to think creatively and innovatively. I also appreciate projects that allow me to collaborate with other professionals to create holistic design solutions.

WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES SINCE OBTAINING YOUR ARCHITECTURE DEGREE?

One of the biggest challenges I have faced is learning how to balance the creative and technical aspects of the profession. While I love the design process and the ability to create beautiful spaces, I have also had to develop a deep understanding of building codes, structural engineering, and other technical aspects of the field.

WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL?

From studio projects to design critiques, I enjoyed working with my peers to develop creative solutions to design problems. I also appreciated the emphasis on design thinking and the opportunity to explore a wide range of design approaches and techniques.

ANY CRITICISMS OF THE ARCHITECTURE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE?

One criticism I have of the architecture education experience is the lack of diversity and representation in the field.  Additionally, the intense focus on design can sometimes overshadow the technical and practical aspects of the field, leading to a knowledge gap for recent graduates.

WHAT ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS?

My professional goal is to possibly make use of AI in this field. It is interesting on how we can make use of AI to advance the built environment.

WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE ARCHITECTS?

I am a big fan of the work of Renzo Piano, especially his ability to create buildings that are both functional and beautiful.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE BUILDING OR CITY?

One of my favorite buildings is the Sydney Opera House, designed by Jørn Utzon. I love the way the building interacts with its surroundings and the way the design incorporates both natural and man-made elements. As for cities, I am a big fan of Copenhagen, Denmark, for its commitment to sustainability and its focus on creating livable, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO GET OUT OF YOUR AIA BROOKLYN CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP?

I hope to connect with other architects and design professionals in the Brooklyn area and to stay up to date on the latest developments in the field. I am also interested in attending events and workshops that can help me develop new skills and expand my knowledge base.

WHAT’S YOUR NAME?

Can Vu Bui

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO CHOOSE THE FIELD OF ARCHITECTURE?

No single thing in particular. Over the years, I’ve found that my interests in arts and cities, politics and space, public space and beauty, find an intersection within the range of architecture. As such, it affords me time, and makes a profession, to speculate on what I am passionate about.

WHAT TYPE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST INTERESTED IN?

Like many small companies in New York City, my studio, Office of Things, works in small-to-middle scale commercial and residential projects, with a focus on art and public space. We are motivated to keep pushing our portfolio to include more work that deals with the city and the public.

WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES SINCE OBTAINING YOUR ARCHITECTURE DEGREE?

Running a small business is not easy; not only because these are not the tools that are taught in school (which is OK, in my opinion!), but because the volatile nature of our business, compounded by the dearth of opportunities for young architects, makes for a very unsustainable and fragile small business environment. Finding work is tough, but finding work that you wholly believe in, is even harder.

WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL?

As a student, and now educator, what I like about school is how it activates a different part of our brain and skill sets. How we think about ideas and converse about problems is inherently more optimistic than how we discuss the same ideas in an office.

ANY CRITICISMS OF THE ARCHITECTURE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE?

I wish that more schools could make the affordability of an architectural education more accessible. And I mean this across the board generally, but with an emphasis on private institutions.

WHAT ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS?

For nearly a decade, I worked for David Adjaye, and spent much time on projects that had a public quality to them. Obviously, I would like my own office to grow, but more importantly, to get the opportunity to work on projects that work with the public realms.

WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE ARCHITECTS?

Too many to name, so a stab at a few dead ones like Enric Miralles and Eileen Gray, and ones still practicing like Brigitte Shim, Vo Trang Nghia, and Tatiana Bilbao.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE BUILDING OR CITY?

Endlessly walkable cities like Mexico City or Paris, to name just two. Building? Maybe because I’m writing this from Rome, but I find the Courtyard and Church of Saint Ivo at la Sapienza to be perfect.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO GET OUT OF YOUR AIA BROOKLYN CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP?

Hoping to work with this professional community and would love to see the Brooklyn Chapter do more outreach to the borough.