Master of Architecture Degree Gives Designer Technical Skills and Hands-on Experience

Laura Brooks graduated with her Master of Architecture in 2018. Brooks has a specific interest in residential architecture and RWU’s program gave her the technical skills and hands-on experience to succeed in that field. Now, Brooks designs homes for Hutker Architects, Inc., a high-end residential firm in Falmouth, MA.

What aspects of the RWU architecture program have been most useful in your career?

The faculty are very knowledgeable and are willing to meet with all the students to help them along the way. A lot of the 3D skills that I gained have helped me out in my job as Designer at Hutker, Architects, Inc. I also developed important skills in Photoshop and InDesign and had access to many resources like laser cutters and 3D printing.

What opportunities did you have to work on real projects while you were in the program?

I worked with Assistant Professor of Architecture Nathan Fash of the Supernormal firm on the project, Redefining the Early Learning Environment (a 2019 winner of the Small Firms Design Awards). There, I helped with 3D modeling and updating interior elevations. It was fun to work with a professor outside the studio and it was interesting working on that project because I hadn’t done anything with early education. They had such a different approach on how to organize the classroom places and play spaces.

What do you love about your job?

I get to be involved from start to finish in schematic design, construction drawings, and construction administration. I see the process of the house being built from start to finish. I really enjoy how different each day can be because I can be involved in multiple parts of a project and several projects at once. I love participating in client meetings to understand the people that will actually be living in the homes.