We asked the Emerging Leaders in Architecture class of 2011 the same five questions, and this is what they had to say:

James Ruhland, III

What building evoked a strong reaction from you recently—either positive or negative? The Belvedere Gardens at the Sherwood Memorial Park.

What is the last book you read? “Musicophilia” by Oliver Sacks (audiobook)

How did you discover your passion for architecture? Legos®  

What is your favorite thing to do to relax? XBOX 360 (Reach & Dead Space 2)

What advice do you have for aspiring architects? Seek out challenges, forge lasting relationships, feed the constructive passions and desires of others, find solace in change, act uprightly in your several stations in life.

Blue Laurel Blanchard, AIAS

What building evoked a strong reaction from you recently—either positive or negative? (+)The atrium space in the Manchester Lofts; (-)The elevator lobby of Richmond City Hall.

What is the last book you read? I am currently reading “The Artist and the Mathematician: The Story of Nicolas Bourbaki, the Genius Mathematician Who Never Existed” on recommendation from a professor. Also reading bits and pieces of research material.

How did you discover your passion for architecture? I believe a passion is less of a discovery and more of a development brought about by increased knowledge and understanding. My passion for architecture continues to develop with every new piece of knowledge and every new experience.

What is your favorite thing to do to relax? Sleep!

What advice do you have for aspiring architects? Keep pursuing your interest. The more you learn and absorb, your interest will develop into a deep passion and the broader your ability will become. This combination will only continue to strengthen throughout your pursuit.

Ay-Chiung Liu, AIA

What building evoked a strong reaction from you recently—either positive or negative? Seattle Olympic Sculpture Park

What is the last book you read? “Our Mutual Friend” by Charles Dickens

How did you discover your passion for architecture? Through a creative design process, which allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and jump into the unknown

What is your favorite thing to do to relax? Sketching and doodling as meditative exercises

What advice do you have for aspiring architects? Take time to discover his/her passion and love prior to embarking on the architectural journey

Damian Seitz, AIA

What building evoked a strong reaction from you recently—either positive or negative? While in Los Angeles, I took a day to visit the Getty Center.  The experience from beginning to end was incredible.  The center itself was so engaging I spent most of my time exploring its details, grounds and views, and very little taking in the art.  I still haven’t decided if that is to the museum’s benefit or its detriment.

What is the last book you read?  “The Art of Dealing with People” by Les Giblin.  Typically when I read, I’m reading to learn, for self betterment or to research the history/origin of something of interest; I rarely pick up fiction.

How did you discover your passion for architecture? I don’t know that it was so much a discovery, as a life-long interest in buildings and the built environment.  I decided at a young age that I wanted to be involved in the design and construction of buildings.

What is your favorite thing to do to relax? Although it may not sound like relaxation, my favorite thing to do to relax is play sports.  I enjoy the camaraderie, the competition and the exercise.  The relaxation is more of a mental break from daily thoughts and stresses.

What advice do you have for aspiring architects? My second year architecture professor told me once at the end of a particularly challenging, yet ultimately successful, semester, “You can’t shortcut the work.”  Good design takes focused thought, working through those thoughts, and then more focused thought.  It’s a process involving hard work that cannot be circumvented.

I have since come to believe that of equal importance to hard work is smart work.  Hard work is essential to any sort of success, but how you execute hard work ultimately determines how successful you will be.

J.B. Anderson, AIA

What building evoked a strong reaction from you recently—either positive or negative? The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia.  I had the opportunity to tour this project shortly after it first opened and again last year.  As an object of architecture, it is striking.  As a performance hall, it is one of the finest acoustical venues for a musical performance.  Most importantly, it is hugely successful as a tool to promote the arts to developing youth through its numerous programs, and to present the arts to the pedestrian streetscape of downtown Philadelphia.

What is the last book you read? I am always reading a wide variety of (somewhat random) material, typically 2 or 3 books at a time.  Currently, I’m reading Hell’s Angels – A Strange and Terrible Saga” by Hunter S. Thompson and re-reading “The Devil in the White City” by Erik Larson.  I just finished up “Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen and “Winner Takes All – Steve Wynn, Kirk Kerkorian, Gary Loveman, and the Race to Own Las Vegas” by Christina Binkley.

How did you discover your passion for architecture? Ever since I can remember, I have always wanted to become an architect, even if I didn’t totally understand what that meant or fully entailed.  However, a visit to the Embassy of Finland early in my college career was what really kicked off a passion and appreciation for contemporary architecture and the range of senses and feelings that it is able to invoke. 

What is your favorite thing to do to relax? Travel – preferably to where the air is salty.  I enjoy having to shake the sand out of my bags when I return home.

What advice do you have for aspiring architects? Always be observant; vigilantly keep open ears and open eyes to your surroundings.  Take advantage of every opportunity that you can.  Be proactive in pursing any and all opportunities, and don’t be afraid to take advantage of that which is outside your comfort zone.  Did I mention to always be observant?

Sarah Margaret Headly, Assoc. AIA… but I go by Maggie

What building evoked a strong reaction from you recently—either positive or negative? Most recently I would have to say the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Expansion – I am very excited to have such a modern piece of architecture here in Richmond, Virginia and be a part of the firm that helped make it possible.

What is the last book you read? I am in the process of reading “Leadership Jazz” by Max Depree.

How did you discover your passion for architecture? I have always been interested in space and how things work three dimensions but I don’t think I realized my passion for it until I was at school at Virginia Tech and I my sole focus was on Architecture and Design and I just loved it!

What is your favorite thing to do to relax? I love going for runs.  People probably don’t normally think of that as relaxing but it definitely helps me clear my head.

What advice do you have for aspiring architects? Be fearless.

Amrit Singh, Assoc. AIA

What building evoked a strong reaction from you recently—either positive or negative? Intensely captivated by the complex geometry of Le Corbusier’s Ronchamp.

What is the last book you read? “Food Culture in India” I’m interested in uncovering the historical context of Indian food.

How did you discover your passion for architecture? No one project, moment or time but instead a series of discoveries led to my passion for architecture. 

What is your favorite thing to do to relax? Whiskey on the rocks while listening to Radiohead.

What advice do you have for aspiring architects? Discover your interest and move with force.

Dan Zimmerman, AIA

What building evoked a strong reaction from you recently—either positive or negative? The Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland, Ca., by SOM (Positive)

What is the last book you read?  “The Devil in the White City” – Erik Larson

How did you discover your passion for architecture?  I walked into Cowgill Hall on the Va. Tech campus at age 16 and realized you can draw and build models for a living.

What is your favorite thing to do to relax?  Skateboard (not exactly ‘relaxing’ in the way swinging in a hammock is relaxing, but it works for me)

What advice do you have for aspiring architects?  Work in the construction field; get experience with the processes involved in getting buildings built once they have been designed.

Abigail Grubb, Assoc. AIA

What building evoked a strong reaction from you recently—either positive or negative? Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Glasgow School of Art in Glasgow, Scotland. It sits so subtly in the city, yet the attention to detail and design as a whole astonishes me. I was lucky enough to visit a few months ago and speak with some of the students using the space. Many of the original design intentions are stills successful today.

What is the last book you read? “The Count of Monte Cristo”

How did you discover your passion for architecture? I may have picked my major out of the list of those offered at my college, but after the first semester I was hooked. I have always had a love for design so being able to apply it every day is kind of my dream job.

What is your favorite thing to do to relax? Day at the beach with my dog and friends

What advice do you have for aspiring architects? Never lose sight of what inspires you. It is easy to get lost in the frustrations of a project, but don’t let it keep you from doing what you love. Always remind yourself what you love about the profession and how you can better contribute to keeping those values true.  

Mike Ellingson, AIAS     

What building evoked a strong reaction from you recently—either positive or negative? It is a great pleasure to see the craftsmanship and some of the beautiful detailing in Armstrong Slater, an early 20th century building on the campus of Hampton University, while at the same time it makes me sad to see it in such great need of some caring renovation.

What is the last book you read? “Too Big to Fail: The Inside Story of How Wall Street and Washington Fought to Save the Financial System—and Themselves” by Andrew Ross Sorkin

How did you discover your passion for architecture? You might say I fell into it. A helicopter crash, while I was in the Navy, changed the trajectory of my path.  As I considered options for my future, the results from a career assessment test helped reveal my interests, skills, and abilities; architecture was a good fit.

What is your favorite thing to do to relax? As an architecture student, closing my eyes for about fifteen minutes is great relaxation.

What advice do you have for aspiring architects? As a student aspiring to be an architect myself, I can only say to be diligent and don’t forget to enjoy the process.

Christopher Kehde, AIA, LEED AP

What building evoked a strong reaction from you recently—either positive or negative? The Mead Center for American Theater in Washington, D.C.and the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, Va.

What is the last book you read? Michelangelo and the Pope’s Ceiling

How did you discover your passion for architecture? The foundations for my passionate interest in art and architecture were laid during my childhood where my parents and grandparents offered a diverse exposure to both artistic expression and engineering methodologies. While in college, I discovered that architecture is a wonderful balance of art and science, and I have been passionately studying the art of architecture ever since.

What is your favorite thing to do to relax? After a busy day, I enjoy sitting down with one of my guitars and drifting off into the world of music for an hour or so.    

What advice do you have for aspiring architects? Find that unique something that you are deeply passionate about.