Favorite Parts Of Working In The Architecture Industry As An Architect
Nima, an architect, finds the most rewarding aspect of their profession to be "the people," from collaborating with diverse teams and clients on projects ranging from intimate homes to large-scale institutional buildings, to the enduring impact of their work, noting "the end product being something that's material that may very well...live beyond" them. This tangible legacy, combined with the interpersonal connections fostered through design, makes the career deeply fulfilling.
Communication, Teamwork, Problem-Solving, Project Management, Materiality and Design
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Nima Shariat
Architect
Boston Architecture Firm
University of California, Santa Cruz
Harvard University, Graduate School of Design, Master of Architecture 2022
Computer Science, Economics, Fine Arts, Music
Arts, Entertainment & Media, Architecture, Construction & Design
Creative
Video Highlights
1. Collaboration with diverse teams and clients, ranging from individuals to institutions.
2. The tangible and lasting impact of architectural projects, extending beyond the architect's lifespan.
3. The blend of interpersonal skills and design expertise needed to navigate the complexities of architectural projects.
Transcript
What do you enjoy most about being in your industry?
I'd say it's a lot about the people. There's been an abundance of diversity in personalities and interests among the people you engage with. This really couldn't work any other way, given how many trades and pieces you encounter, but also the people you work with to build projects.
Consider the kind of clients you have. There's everything from small-scale projects where you engage with an individual person to create something meaningful and intimate for them. In our case, with our firm, we work almost exclusively with institutional clients.
These are usually universities, government projects, libraries, and performance halls. With an institution, it's so much about people because everything is filtered through not just one person, but a group of people, a board, and the public. They will be engaging with this, carrying it on, and holding it dear.
Yourself, especially if you're designing something for your own community, you're going to be one of those stakeholders. Being personable and engaging with that has been one of the most satisfying things.
I gained that from my mom, who was very sociable and could get through to anyone in the most beautiful way, where everyone's happy and it's a win-win. Cultivating that and using the tools at our disposal in design to have that conversation is pretty important.
The other piece, which I've started to experience glimpses of, is how material it is coming from computer science and economics. Art existed with crafting something with your hands, and you could see it. But there's something really striking about spending six years on something, making many drawings for it, and it existing in digital space for so long.
Then, being able to walk through it at the very end and engage with it, and see other people engage with it. It's so material and present. It's slow-moving in that way, and it's pretty overwhelming.
That end product being something that's material, which may very well live beyond me and be accessible for people down the road, is a pretty powerful feeling.