Please join us in welcoming our newest team member, Brian Gonzalez. Not entirely new, since Brian has been with us as a student, but having just graduated from the University of Hartford, we are thrilled to have Brian onboard full time!

Read our Q&A below to learn more about Brian and his insights on architecture and design.

Why architecture?

In high school, I took Computer Aided Drafting and Design, which is where I got introduced to AutoCAD and Solidworks. From then on, drawing things and then being able to see them in 3D has fascinated me. When applying for college, Architecture was one of the careers that would allow me to draw something up and bring it to life, so it was a no brainer to go into this field. 

Who’s your favorite architect? Favorite structure?

More than a favorite architect, I think I have a favorite architectural style. Any structure that is modern and aggressively white is jaw-dropping to me because of how much it can stand out in whatever environment it is placed.  Any work from architects such as Santiago Calatrava or Richard Meier always impresses me.

Name 3 things a great design requires.

• Creating a relationship with the client and end users. Establishing what the client is aiming for and interacting with the end user, can help us get a better sense of what our goal is and design a successful project.
• Symmetry. I believe every design should have some kind of symmetry, whether it is in the plan or in elevation, it is necessary in order to make the design aesthetically pleasing and enjoyable.
• Options. Having various design options is always helpful because if none of them work out, we can take ideas from each of the options and create one that will.

What’s your favorite aspect of the job of an architect?

How much we can learn from project to project. One year we can be working on an educational building, learning how kids interact and what spaces work better for them and then the next year we can be working on an oyster farm, learning the life cycle of oysters!

What advice would you give to aspiring architects?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions along the way. Everyone that studies and practices architecture comes from different backgrounds. Some have never seen or heard of certain terms, so asking for clarification is not something to be ashamed of.