As part of our #MeetRA #MeetYourArchitect #MeetYourDesigner series, I interviewed  Reagan Rouble who creatively came up with the “Intern-view” title and has been working in our office this semester as part of the Richardson ISD internship program.  Reagan is a very talented individual who demonstrated a lot of potential for growth no matter what part of the architecture and engineering industry she chooses to focus on as a career.  It was a pleasure having Reagan in our office and we wish her the best in her future endeavors.

Internview with Reagan Rouble:

What is your architecture/design philosophy?

I want to pursue a career that is more math-heavy because I have always felt my best during math classes during school and I want to pursue a career that I feel confident doing so I never question if it is what I am meant to be doing.

What do you like most about this job?

I like the freedom you have in the work environment that I am currently in because even though you are a team that works together on certain things, you are also able to do it at your own pace and on your time with a certain deadline in mind. For example, you are given the freedom to work from your home on a project or in the office, but you are not chained to your desk with a specific deadline every day.

How do you describe what you do?  What does your work entail?

I am currently an intern at Rittiluechai Architecture firm where I help around the office and where I get to learn about Architecture programs and software. It as gives me an idea of what I would be like to have a career as an architect/designer and just gives me office experience in general.  So far, my work has been replicating a previous design on a different program, AutoCAD to Revit, and fact-checking architecture articles. Something that I didn’t realize before the internship, was that there is a lot more that goes into a project then just the design because architects also need to be aware of other things that could go into a project like if it structurally sound or environmentally friendly or the piping in the walls and all the electrical problems. The house itself is just a design, but you need to make sure everything works together to make a complete project, so everyone is on the same page.

Do you have a signature style?

I don’t think I have a signature design style in my own projects because I haven’t been creating long enough to establish it, but in my personal home, I would describe my style to be more of a modern hippie where everything is up to date but is also very in tune with the nature surrounding it, whatever that might be. For example, if I was to live in Colorado I would like a house that is up to date but also heavily inspired by the woods and the cold around it.

Are you concerned about environmental and social sustainability and what role do these issues play in your design decisions?

I think every designer is concerned with the environment to a certain extent, but they must also think about if it is applicable to the project or if it is in the budget or not. I personally believe that if you have a chance to make a more environmentally change to a project for a little or no price difference then you should because these projects are supposed to last, and it would be better for something good for the environment to last.

What books do you have on your bedside table?

I only keep books that I read for fun by my bed because that is where I am supposed to relax and calm down for the night, so I don’t want to be surrounded by stress and work when I am trying to relax and get some sleep.

Do you draw often?

I don’t draw as often, but I enjoy adult coloring books to help relax the mind and to work on how colors work together as one whole picture.

When faced with a challenge, what process do you use to solve it?

Because I am still learning the basics of design, I often ask someone for help showing me what to do because they know what they are doing, and they can teach me what to do when I am faced with similar situations in the future. If no one is around, then I will also research my problem and find videos to help me solve it or if it is a problem with ideas then I will look online for what other people have done to get ideas from that.

Who inspires you?

Currently, my mother inspires me the most because she is very strong and very independent, and I feel like as I have grown up, she has also grown into the person she is now. She is also the person that is always there for me and she shows me how you need to take control of yourself because that is the only person that you can control.

Which new architecture/design technology are you most excited about?

I am excited for the bullet train project that is supposed to run from Dallas to Houston, then eventually from Dallas to Austin because I have never been on a bullet train and I believe it will really help the commute from these too place and help to reduce traffic on the roads as more people will be encouraged to take the fast alternative.

What changes do you expect in the industry over the next 20 years?

I expect for there to be a lot of changes to the technology we use to build new designs, and more was to more accurately represent the design to a client using virtual reality technology.

Do you have any hobbies?

I really enjoy a good puzzle because it engages your mind but relaxes your body and it just a nice way to unwind.

What is your favorite color?

My favorite color is a more or less dependent on the season because during the summer my favorite color is more of a blue-grey color because I think it is very pretty, but not in an in your face kind of way but more of a soft, subtle, calming beauty while during the winter I love a bright sunshine yellow because I love the warmth and happiness it brings with it during a more gloomy time.

What is the best moment of your day?

My favorite moment of the day is the calm moment before or after your day. I typically wake up earlier than needed so I can sit around and just have a few moments to myself, so I can prepare for the day. I also like the moments after I am done with the day and laying in bed thinking about all the events of the day and reflecting on everything before going to sleep and starting a new day.

What else do you want people to know about you?

I believe that less is more and that a simple design can leave more for people to personalize in their own way. I don’t like to over complicate my own life, so I wouldn’t try to complicate the lives of others.