Joined VIA in September ‐ currently coordinating the Skytrain integration with the Plaza 88 development in New Westminster and soon to inherit the entire Plaza 88 project.
What made you decide to go into your field?
It was about the integrity of architecture, what it has been, what it does and can do and being able to cultivate and employ a particular view of living through built form.
What did your family think of your chosen field?
I come from a lengthy line of radiologists – brother, sister in law, father, aunt, grandfather – I went into architecture….with blank stares.
Who is the teacher who had the most influence on you and why?
Artists -- who are less shackled by the realities architects face.
What was the biggest hurdle you faced along your educational path? (academic, financial, motivational, family or peer pressure, outside distraction, etc.)
Financial yes and pressure from beauracracies along the way.
What inspires you?
The goal of the bigger picture and when 1 and 1 = 3
What schooling is required for success in your career?
For me it was 4 yrs to prove you are worthy to enter architecture + 3 yrs of architecure + 2 yrs to prove you are worthy to practice architecture….. then schooling yourself the rest of your life.
What kind of people are the most successful in your field? Are there any specific attributes?
Good communicators, people who understanding the interconnectedness of things, generally people who have lived enough to know.
What is the best advice you were ever given?
No one gave me any good advice that I can remember ‐ I had to give myself advice.
Is your field growing? (ie. is there room for new entries and is there career growth?)
Not growing so much but morphing – losing something and hopefully gaining something else. The profession needs to expand its influence to open up new avenues.
What advice would you give someone considering a career like yours?
I say start early, get varied life experiences and a broad education then go into architecture. Don’t worry about the fashion or the details they will change anyway. Look for the substance.