Meet the UTA Graduate Students- NGDI's Inaugural Class
Cody Cartusciello
"I have gotten the chance to spend what is now the last few months here at Huckabee a few days each week as an intern from the University of Texas at Arlington. I have been more than a little surprised with how much I enjoy my time both within the office as well as the time I have spent at the various job sites. I was told that I’d have the opportunity to view the entire world of architecture through design to construction but I’m not sure if I really believed it, I should have.
It has really been an incredible learning experience that has allowed me to see the architectural profession in a whole new light not only because of the process and details that go into a building project that I didn’t know about but because of the people inside the office and how they work together. It is refreshing to find a group of people who are not only dedicated to their profession but also enjoy the practice of their profession.
I have not spent much time in the professional environment of architecture but it is hard to imagine that many firms invest themselves so fully into ensuring the best possible design and construction in every possible detail, as Huckabee does. You can clearly see the passion that everyone has for designing and building solid and lasting schools from Mr. Huckabee on down.
There has also been a sense of assurance that I have felt from everyone making sure that I felt welcome and that they were always available for help if I needed it. There has obviously been an initiative to recruit and hire people who do great work but also love doing it and are unafraid to speak with passion about their job and what it means to them.
Already I feel that I have gained so much in terms of experience and understanding while here, and I know that my time during this internship will make a significant impact not only on my education as it continues but also my career in the future.
I’ve also been impressed with the way Huckabee goes about creating these schools, how they stick to the bedrock principals that they have found successful through years of experience in building schools rather than jumping on the latest trend. Yet are unafraid to evolve design ideas and adjust them to many different communities with very different preconceptions on what a school should be. In a world of change and fads it is more than assuring that some one still does things the right way rather than the easy way."
Jessica Barth
"When asked about by internship at Huckabee I’m tempted to say one of two things: 1. It’s been an up-close and personal experience 2. I can’t wait to work!
I began my internship knowing little to nothing about the actual workings of an architecture firm. Actually the true confession is that I knew little to nothing about what exactly an architect “does”. I started the internship in a rather green state, with only one semester of graduate school under my belt and not a single studio course. In school I’m classified as a “career change” student with an intensive yet abbreviated curriculum designed to teach me everything I would’ve learned if the architecture epiphany had hit me ten years earlier as a college freshman.
Huckabee has been a wonderful environment to observe from the best, take part in different departments and ask good and often times not so good questions. It’s been quite a diverse experience as I’ve jumped from construction sites, to school board meetings, to the front of a room pitching a schematic design concept. It’s hard to say which has had the steepest learning curve. (I don’t think the fact that I showed up in high-heels and pearls for a construction site visit should be a measuring point on the curve.) Navigating my way through construction drawings and learning CAD immediately comes to mind as some of the bigger challenges faced thus far. It’s also been fascinating to see exactly how many people it takes to build a building. May sound like the punch line to a really bad joke, but truly the coordination of taking a preliminary thought or design concept to a finished product is mind-blowing. There are so many moving parts, and so many people that must gracefully collaborate efforts; all within the realm of an ever pressing time line and budget.
With the end of the semester approaching I’m more and more cognitive of the fact that there is still so much to learn about architecture, construction, CAD, building codes, project management, production, and design. Rather than being overwhelmed with this laundry list of things I have yet to master, I’m simply excited and motivated by the challenges. I strongly believe that learning is an ongoing process, especially one that is not limited to the class room setting. I remember when I initially interviewed for NGDI I was excited about the opportunity to learn through a hands-on experience. It’s definitely fair to say it’s been hands-on but so much more as well. Huckabee has left an incredible impression on me, one of an environment that truly cares for its clients and one another as well. I’m forever grateful for having worked with such an amazing, cohesive and talented group of people who have given me countless hours of their time in instruction, explanation, and encouragement."
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