WHAT’S YOUR NAME?
Charles Lent
WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO CHOOSE THE FIELD OF ARCHITECTURE?
Before studying architecture, I was working in the construction industry as a fabricator, installer, and finally, an estimator for various millwork companies. The 2008 recession really prompted me to pursue a professional degree after having work hours reduced in the construction field.
WHAT TYPE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST INTERESTED IN?
I’m a big fan of ethereal, natural, and holistic architecture so typically typologies that would lend themselves to those structures. Think Peter Zumthor bathhouses, places of worship, farms, greenhouses, and performance spaces.
WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES SINCE OBTAINING YOUR ARCHITECTURE DEGREE?
Proving what you know has been a struggle. It’s a pretty big challenge to show what you know while not coming off as arrogant, or creating a competitive environment. Advice welcome!
WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL?
The studio comradery was priceless. All the laughs, tears, scrapes, and cuts are forever memorialized in my mind.
ANY CRITICISMS OF THE ARCHITECTURE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE?
There seemed to be a desire to not be forthright to students. Maybe it’s just me, but I felt there could be more transparency within the design studios as to what we were trying to accomplish.
WHAT ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS?
First and foremost, I’m looking to become a generalist that can manage different, scales, scopes, and typologies. Eventually, I might find a scale or typology that I would like to master but until then I’m just trying to absorb as much as I can at different scales.
WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE ARCHITECTS?
Just to names a few: Thomas Pfifer, Luis Barragan, Renzo Piano, Peter Zumthor, Carlos Scarpa and Alvaro Siza.
Photo: Lisa Therese
Photo: Emilia Igartua
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE BUILDING OR CITY?
Because I was recently in Morocco, I’ll say I was blown away by The Yves Saint Laurent Museum in Marrakech. I can’t think of a better outcome for that museum.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO GET OUT OF YOUR AIA BROOKLYN CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP?
Meeting like-minded people in this very unique profession. Who knows, maybe some lifelong friends.
