This ‘In Studio’ feature is sponsored by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). The NAAB accredits professional degrees in architecture offered by institutions accredited by a U.S. regional accrediting agency. All 54 U.S. registration boards accept the NAAB-accredited degree for registration; 37 of those boards require it. naab.org
Name: Antonio Ugarte
School: The Catholic University of America
Degree Program: Bachelor of Science in Architecture
Year in School: Senior
Describe your studio culture:
The studio culture at Catholic U is one where at any given time you can pop into a different studio to ask for opinions, bounce ideas off people, and someone will either help you or point you to someone who can help you.
Give one tip that has helped you succeed in studio:
By getting to studio early, you can get several hours of uninterrupted work done before everyone else gets there.
What motivates you to work hard in studio:
I’m a very competitive person and I look for challenges, whether they’re from professors or other students.
What aspect of your studio experience do you think will help you get a job?
The best thing about architecture school is you’re taught how to critically think and how to express on paper what you see in your mind.
What can professors do to create a helpful and supportive studio culture?
The best professors are the ones that help you think through the design process, not just tell you the next move.
What should a high school student understand about studio at my university:
Studio is where the creativity gets reworked over and over and fine-tuned until it’s ready to be presented as a piece of architecture.
What can AIAS do to help improve your studio experience:
AIAS provides opportunities and outlets for architecture students, including peer review, mentoring programs, de-stressing events, and of course the Beaux Arts Ball.
What would be in your ideal studio care package:
Espresso grounds and creative people.
Complete this sentence: I love studio because:
It’s a place where I can stretch both sides of my brain and hold the results in my hands.
