PERSPECTIVES

Adrian first came to RODE in early 2020 to complete his externship while studying architecture at the University of Michigan. We are thrilled to share that Adrian is back at RODE, now as a full time designer! Read on to learn more about Adrian and why he chose to return to RODE to begin his career in architecture.

What inspired you to pursue architecture originally?

I’ve been interested in architecture and design for as long as I can remember. Some of that I can attribute to my grandfather, who is a former Knoll furniture designer. I’ve also always enjoyed building models, drawing, and just generally working with my hands. I have a bachelors of science in civil engineering from Tufts University. I was never excited by engineering, though, so after a couple years I decided to return to school and pursue a degree in architecture. I attended the University of Michigan’s Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning and have a masters of architecture.

You did your externship with RODE a few years ago. What impacted you as an intern to return to RODE as a full-time employee? Was it RODE’s body of work, office culture, or both?

RODE has a lot going for it. I really appreciate the range of projects—Passive House homes, restaurants, high rises, etc.—and the varied learning opportunities that those projects afford. I had a great time working with Ruthie during my week-long externship and appreciate the laid-back, friendly nature of the entire team.

What types of projects are you interested in working on while at RODE? What specific skills or practices would you like to hone during your career?

I’m particularly interested in social housing practices, domestic spaces, and alternatives to existing housing models. These issues are of particular importance in areas like Boston that experience gentrification and rampant housing inequity. I’d like to work on innovative domestic projects through Boston’s Compact Living Pilot or ADU program. In terms of skills that I’d like to hone, I’ve always enjoyed drawing and pushing architectural representation in creative new directions. I’m also actively pursuing licensure and need more experience with construction drawings, construction administration, etc.

What do you do to decompress outside of work?

Long distance running has always been a passion that helps me decompress. I’ve run four marathons, although it's been years since my last one—there was no time to train during graduate school. Gardening is a passion of mine. I primarily grow cacti and succulents,

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Here are RODE, we are all about collaboration. Collaborating with our industry colleagues allows us to create transformative projects that address both the needs of a specific place and the needs of its community. Last night, RODE Principal, Eric Robinson and Arx Urban Principal, Benjamin Moll spoke with Chris Lovett of BNN's Neighborhood Network News about one of their latest collaborations, The Meeting House in Dorchester.

Completed in 2020, The Meeting House brings residential housing and commercial space to Hancock Street near Dorchester Avenue. Eric spoke about the design of the building, highlighting its sculptural façade, contextual massing, and role in re-envisioning the area and acting as a catalyst for other neighborhood projects such as Dot Block.

Benjamin spoke about The Meeting House' mix of affordability and the process behind the model. Arx Urban and RODE were able to obtain Boston Community Preservation funding and partner with Mass Housing to deliver the project most efficiently. The result is a residential building that provides socioeconomic diversity through a blend of affordable, middle income, and market rate housing.

Stay tuned for future collaborative projects between RODE and Arx Urban. The team is also working together on a mixed-used building that will address housing needs, provide much-needed space for the community's commercial and institutional tenants, and improve the pedestrian streetscape along Washington Street in Roslindale Village.

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RODE's design for 1445 Hancock Street was presented to Quincy City Council by Joey Arcari of Broadway Hospitality Group last week. Renderings showcased the building's 40 residential units, co-working area, and ground level commercial space that will become its signature restaurant, The Hancock.

The presentation also unveiled the building's second-level mezzanine overlooking a new 15,000 SF public park next to the property. The park will be bordered by 1445 Hancock on one side and another mixed-use residential building with a performing arts component (currently being designed by CUBE 3 Architects) on the other. It will transform the existing empty lot into greenspace and an outdoor event venue for the community.

The building is currently designed to be Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), infusing an organic aesthetic into its contemporary façade. Once completed, 1445 Hancock will provide a unique living experience for its residents while also contributing to the lively, urban fabric of Quincy's city center.

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With the office getting back into full swing, we started things off by welcoming Amanda Sanders to the RODE Family! Amanda is our newest Senior Project Architect / Project Manager and we are thrilled to have such a talented designer on our team. Amanda took some time out of her busy day to tell us more about herself...

1. You’re originally from Iowa. What is one unique thing you love about Iowa? What is one unique thing you love about Boston?

People tend to think of Iowa as very flat, but if you get off of the main interstates, you’ll find it is a very lush landscape with beautiful rolling hills, it’s very serene and the people are very warm. I landed in Boston from Iowa with a 3.5 year pit stop in New York City. I loved New York, but was always a little restless for outdoor space. I find that Boston is the perfect middle ground between Iowa and New York: city living with the ability to be at the beach or in the woods in less than 30 minutes. I also love the layers of history you experience walking the streets of Boston.

2. What drew you to come work at RODE?

When I became a resident of Dorchester, I decided to get involved in my neighborhood association; it was through those meetings that I was introduced to RODE. I was drawn RODE’s thoughtful design and appreciate the positive impact several projects have had on my local community. I have traveled a lot in my career, but have not worked much in Boston, so the idea of working on projects that are shaping the face of the city I now call home was very appealing.

3. When you aren’t being an amazing architect, what is your side passion?

Making has always been a creative outlet for me, and I’m drawn to wood as a material. Several years ago, I started playing around with refinishing furniture, mostly items picked up off the street on trash night. I was living in a 1-bedroom apartment at the time (with a very patient husband) using our living room as my workroom. When we purchased our home in Dorchester, it was in a state of disrepair, and while the major renovation is complete, it has become an endless source of woodworking projects for me. I have built out my tool collection, taken over one of the bedrooms as my workroom, and expanded my project scope into restoring some of the remaining original details and furniture making.

4. What drove you to pursue a career in architecture?

My 6th grade teacher was an architecture enthusiast. He made us memorize the different architectural styles in my hometown (Dubuque, Iowa), we then went on a walking to tour to see them in person. I have always loved making things, especially with my Legos as a child, but this was the first time I put a name to it, and I’ve never looked back. Through my career, I have come to realize that architecture is about more than just creating a building. It is not just a blend of art and engineering to create a beautiful static object, it is about creating spaces for people, and these spaces will evolve over time.

5. Is there a particular project that you’ve worked on during your career as a architect that had a strong impact on your career or that you’ve learned the most from? What was the project and what did you learn from doing it?

I worked on the renovation of a Jose Lluis Sert dormitory on MIT’s campus a few years ago. It was an honor to work on a building designed by such a talented/renowned architect. We worked to bring Sert’s ideas about communal living into today’s student life practices, ultimately turning a very introverted building into an extroverted one. The project was extremely fast tracked; we completed design in 6 months and the phased renovation was completed in 15 months. Because of the aggressive construction schedule, I worked on the construction site full time for the first 4 months of construction and part time for the remainder. Despite the schedule pressure, tight budget, and challenges of working on a concrete structure with only 8’-6” floor to floor, the project was a great success. I learned to be strategic with design moves and that with a collaborative team, you can accomplish anything.

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In February, Food & Wine Magazine featured RODE co-founder and Principal, Eric Robinson in their piece “How COVID Changed Restaurant Design Forever.” Eric shared three design tips for owners to keep in mind when planning pandemic-responsive design for their restaurant.

His recommendations included prioritizing room to move throughout the space, bringing “pre-covid vibes” to dining outdoors, and building proactively while prioritizing adaptability. Eric’s practical advice could be applied to nearly every type of eatery in almost any location, which is why we were thrilled when Food & Wine en Español reached out to tell us that the article would be featured in the March issue of the magazine. This exposure provides the opportunity for our firm’s expertise and creativity to reach a more diverse audience and our hope is that Eric’s advice helps restauranteurs throughout the world strategize and thrive during and after COVID.

You can check out the English version here.

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