WHAT’S YOUR NAME?
Emma VandeWater
WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO CHOOSE THE FIELD OF ARCHITECTURE?
I wanted to be an architect when I was kid, but as I got older it changed a bit but eventually, I found my way back to architecture because I love building and creating.
WHAT TYPE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST INTERESTED IN?
I would say boutique architecture, whether it’s small hotels, retail stores, etc. I also love sustainability and urban design, as I also have my Masters in Urban Planning.
WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES SINCE OBTAINING YOUR ARCHITECTURE DEGREE?
Gearing up to start studying for licensure exams.
WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL?
I absolutely loved model building and perfecting my graphics on my boards.
ANY CRITICISMS OF THE ARCHITECTURE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE?
There is a very toxic relationship between professors and students in relation to pulling all-nighters and having no free time for yourself, and that relationship is “I went through this so you have too also.”
WHAT ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS?
Get licensed, design luxury retail spaces, design a pocket-park, and pick out material palettes for projects.
WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE ARCHITECTS?
Eero Saarinen.
Photo: Adrian Cuj
Photo: Max Harlynking
Photo: Mauri Karlin
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE BUILDING OR CITY?
My favorite building is Oodi in Helsinki, Finland but my favorite city is Copenhagen, Denmark.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO GET OUT OF YOUR AIA BROOKLYN CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP?
Support for achieving licensure.
