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Principals Arcsine Architecture Oakland, California
I grew up in California's Bay Area. I designed my first house in ninth grade for a school project for a drawing class. I was so excited and designed the entire house through the eyes of a 14-year-old boy. I came home that night and told my grandparents and parents, 'I am going to be an architect.' I never looked back on that decision.
I suppose I was designing before I actually knew I was designing. I always enjoyed building things and making furniture. I would look through catalogues and try to find plans of things I wanted to build. After looking through all the catalogues in the school library and not being impressed with any of the traditional offered designs, I started designing my own pieces.
I grew up in an educated household and as such, a liberal arts education was stressed. I attended Brandeis University and majored in studio arts, all the while knowing my passion to become an architect was my driving force. I also picked up a minor in economics as understanding business was also something that intrigued me.
My summer jobs ranged from construction, working in a bronze foundry, and then teaching architectural summer courses to high school students once I was in grad school at the University of Michigan. Construction paid better than anything else out there.
I knew I wanted my own firm since high school, and I knew I wanted to do it with a business partner. The hard part was finding the right partner. I am a conservative guy and can't sleep at night knowing my fate lies in someone else's hands-I believe having your own firm is the best way to secure employment and...