Interview with Yitzy Shine

WHAT’S YOUR NAME?

Yitzy Shine

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO CHOOSE THE FIELD OF ARCHITECTURE?

This is a great question! I’ve always known that I wanted to choose a field where I could affect others in a positive way. Research shows that we spend 90% of our time indoors! I can’t think of a better way of affecting other people’s lives than through the use of design, in a place that they spend most often.

WHAT TYPE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST INTERESTED IN?

I really enjoy residential design. I love to get down to the details and build a relationship with my clients. With residential, you can ensure that the people you design for are the people using the space. Being able to positively affect a small family that I get to know personally can mean more to me than designing a huge commercial building that will get used by occupants I don’t know or have a relationship with.

WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES SINCE OBTAINING YOUR ARCHITECTURE DEGREE?

Since earning my degree, I have partnered up with past co-workers to start a design firm, named Base. The biggest challenge has also been a blessing. Not only did I have to learn drafting, zoning, and code, I also had to learn how to run a business. Being able to balance new responsibilities that an average recent graduate wouldn’t have, put me in a position where I needed to learn rapidly. This was hard, yet fruitful. 

WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL?

Like most, I have a love-hate relationship with school. There were easy days and hard days. The one thing I loved about my particular school (NYIT) is that Studio was not focused on merely graphics, but functionality of design, adherence to code, and dealing with clients (AKA the professor). Studio also pushed learning how to talk and work with others. As I see now, in the workforce, this is an incredibly important skill that I was lucky enough to practice in school. 

ANY CRITICISMS OF THE ARCHITECTURE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE?

I think most would agree that there is a disconnect between Studio and a Workplace. We need to be placing a lot more emphasis on learning about how to run a business, as well as classes devoted to divisions of the AREs. Now that you can take your AREs after 3rd year of school, the curriculum should encourage licensure at an earlier point. This gives students a lot more flexibility for their career, after they graduate. I personally took 3 AREs while in school and felt 10 steps ahead. Because of this, I didn’t feel the need to take on an entry-level internship at a large, corporate firm. I was able to handle my career my way.

WHAT ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS?

My goal is to keep learning. I believe architects will never be masters of their craft, because their craft is forever adapting to the environment around them. I aim to always be flexible to new ideas and technologies, and to get licensed within the next couple of years. 

WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE ARCHITECTS?

This might be cliche, but Frank Lloyd Wright will always have a place in my heart. I appreciate newer architects, such as Bjarke Ingels Group and Studio Gang, who talk about design as an effect on people, instead of just buildings.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE BUILDING OR CITY?

The SESC Pompéia Factory and the Ladeira de Misericordia, both by Lina Bo Bardi!

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO GET OUT OF YOUR AIA BROOKLYN CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP?

I hope to get involved! Advocate to improve the profession and our footprint on the planet.