#jack.d

Our three mentors, Ana, Ryan, and Sergio were wonderful hosts. I had a great time and learned more than I thought I would! Thank you to our three mentors and the rest of the Perkins&Will team!

Mentorship is critical for a young designer. Guidance, knowledge, and support are priceless, especially from an experienced person. As the Open Studio TA this semester, I am excited to mentor the BAC’s foundation students and anyone else who needs help. As a young aspiring architect myself I am also looking for a mentor. There is so much to learn from other people.

The most important quality for a mentor is the ability to be approachable. Knowledge is great, however, most people can answer most questions. I never felt uncomfortable asking our BAC alumni mentors questions, no matter how basic I felt my questions were. As a mentee, it is important to be curious and excited to do new things and meet new people. Ana, Sergio, and Ryan were both knowledgeable and approachable, and I am very thankful for their time this week.

The main project our mentor Ryan is working on is the Carter School. I think it tells of an inspiring cultural shift toward accessible design, as the students are severely impaired, both physically and cognitively. The level of detail and intentionality is incredible. The Carter School end user required the design team to flex their muscles, exceeding standards and pushing boundaries of accessible design, while creating, architecturally, one of the most interesting Perkins&Will projects, in my opinion. Despite the budget increase caused by the pandemic’s effect on steel prices, the state and the city decided the project was too important. The city felt that the project needed to be completed, and it is a great feeling as a designer to know that the desires of the client, the architect, and the occupants are all being satisfied.

A diverse workplace needs to overcome its cultural differences while also being mindful not to erase those differences. Having an open mind to diverse viewpoints is critical while interacting in a workplace environment to create an environment where people feel heard. Without an authentic environment, collaboration between people collapses. The higher level of intercultural competence of coworkers will directly correlate with feelings of comfort and mutual respect. There seems to be no friction at Perkins&Will!

Perkins&Will, unlike most firms, does not have offices, nor does it have assigned desks. This organization results in a workplace where employees of all levels are comfortable working together. During a group pin-up we sat in on, employees of all levels chimed in with feedback, resulting in a diverse range of opinions that should manifest in a thorough design proposal. A complex problem requires a larger group, and a larger group requires all members to communicate effectively. They made us feel comfortable enough to chime in!