1) What’s your full name and where are you from?
My name is David Orndorff, and I’m from Baltimore, Maryland.
2) What is your position here at PLA and how did it come about?
I’m a designer here at PLA. I met Paul through the career fair at Washington University in Saint Louis last March, and I was fortunate enough to get an interview with him the next day. Shortly after, he offered me a position as a designer, so I moved to Boston with my girlfriend and started working for Paul.
3) How did you get into the field of architecture and design? What intrigued you about it?
I was assigned to do a presentation on Gaudi’s Park Guell in the 7th grade. It was probably the first time I had really thought about architecture as a discipline, and I was completely amazed that buildings could look the way they did in Gaudi’s books. Later, when I applied to college, architecture became a way for me to pursue a creative field that was invested in history and technology as much as art and theory.
4) What drives you to continue in this field?
I still love how many different ways there are to practice and think about architecture. There is always room for exploration and new ways to approach problems from new directions. Every project gives you something new to encounter and something new to learn about.
5) What is the hardest part about being in design? The long hours/days, constant changes to the projects?
The hardest part about being in design is realizing what you design doesn’t belong to you. It’s easy to be selfish with the things you spend so much time working on. However, ultimately we’re designing things for other people and what we have built, will have a much larger impact that just being printed in our portfolio.
6) So, how do you relax? What hobbies do you participate in?
I have a lot of different hobbies and interest, but the best way for me to relax is to get out and see things. In my free time I enjoy taking long walks through Boston, or riding around newly discovered neighborhoods on my motorcycle.
7) Who are some of the people who inspire you?
I have been lucky enough to have had some great professors and mentors over the last six or seven years. There are too many to name here, but I appreciate all the hard work my teachers have put into educating my peers and I. Everyone put in hard work over the course of a typical semester. The teachers I had provided ways for me to learn from all kinds of people; travel in other countries; design, build and fabricate exciting projects; as well as become aware of the work of other artists and architects who would have never known otherwise.
8) What is your favorite place you’ve traveled to?
Brazil is one of the most beautiful and interesting countries I’ve been to. Sao Paulo was particularly spectacular. It is a huge city with an incredible amount of nooks and crannies to sift through. It’s hard to imagine ever being able to see everything it has to offer.
9) Looking forward, where do you want to go and what do you want to do?
I want to plan an extended motorcycle trip somewhere. I have never ridden for more than a couple hours at a time, so a longer trip is definitely on the agenda.
10) What’s your take on the future of the architecture industry?
One of the biggest changes architecture may face is how it is practiced. Architects are continually expanding their roles and responsibilities while seeking new and rich collaborations with other disciplines. Fields like development and construction are being incorporated into architecture practices, and some architects are working closely with academics and other professionals to push the boundaries of technology and fabrication. The future of architecture lies in taking on new and exciting possibilities while accepting the risks and rewards that come with them.
11) Any lasting advice for those going into design, or are already in it?
Think critically about your surroundings and don’t get caught up in only architecture. As designers, we’re trained as critical thinkers and problem solvers. Use these talents to find new opportunities in and out of the field.
12) How do you like it here at PLA so far?
While working at PLA, I have learned the importance of maintaining a high level of design integrity while still being considerate and responsible for how our work affects our clients and the environment. It has been an incredible learning experience.
