WHAT’S YOUR NAME?
Rob Leising
WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO CHOOSE THE FIELD OF ARCHITECTURE?
Growing up I would draw all the time, always taking a pad of paper and pencil with me on any trip. Eventually, I became focused on buildings, and creating imaginary environments and societies.
WHAT TYPE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST INTERESTED IN?
As a queer designer, I put more meaning in work that is able to help our community and push back the traditional narratives inscribed in the built environment. As well I think any work that is able to speak to the issues of social and environmental justice is inherently more interesting than pure aesthetics alone.
WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES SINCE OBTAINING YOUR ARCHITECTURE DEGREE?
After graduating during a pandemic, the biggest challenge was finding my first job. After more than 50 applications sent and months of nothing back, I was ready to give up hope that all these skills I learned, which I was told would help prepare me to work in the professional sphere, would go to waste. Thankfully, someone did call back.
WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL?
The ability to experiment and push forward the purview of our profession, while finding oneself and my place and my aesthetic. It’s quite amazing what can be done when you forget you’re doing architecture.
ANY CRITICISMS OF THE ARCHITECTURE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE?
Where to start? It’s easy to look back with regret and sometimes anger. I graduated from SCI-Arc during an upheaval over the ethical practices of certain professors. I think it’s good that students were able to call out these gross activities and pressure for some ways of change.
WHAT ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS?
Becoming licensed would be my first goal. As for the rest, whether starting my own practice or collaboratively building something exciting, I’ll see where the tides take me.
WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE ARCHITECTS?
V. Mitch McEwen, François Roche, Horace Gifford, Andre Jaques, Charles Moore, Cruz García and Nathalie Frankowski, all for widely different reasons that can be elaborated upon request over coffee.
Photo: Nik Guiney
Photo: Tyrel Johnson
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE BUILDING OR CITY?
During the pandemic, I learned to love the New England coastal town: Gloucester, Rockport, Portsmouth, and Ogunquit. The town that has my heart is at the very tip of the cape, Provincetown, at least until the sea reclaims it.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO GET OUT OF YOUR AIA BROOKLYN CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP?
I hope to continue to make connections and root myself in this design community in Brooklyn.
