This Q&A is part of a series of interviews with BRP architects, designers, and others in the firm about their career journey, and the impact that architecture and design can have on our communities and the collective human experiences. Today, we sat down with Jon Gruett to discuss his journey from a curious young builder to a seasoned architect. Jon shared insights on the importance of continuous learning, collaboration, and the tools that help bring his creative visions to life.
1. Can you briefly describe your background and how you got started in the field of architecture?
Like many other architects and designers, my childhood was often spent playing with Legos, blocks, and other crafts. I still remember the day my dad said I played with blocks so much that “you’d be a great architect!”. Although I doubt, I showed that much promise at the old age of 7, that memory has stayed with me all these years. As I got older, I developed a profound appreciation and curiosity for woodworking, and eventually, buildings in general. I’ve always been curious about how things are made, so I eventually found my way to my high school engineering courses, where I developed an appreciation for technical drawings and the deeper meaning behind them. Architecture seems to be a constant practice and development of creativity and making things – so I began down that path and haven’t looked back!
2. Are there any specific software tools or technologies that you find particularly valuable in your work as an architect?
As most architecture students can tell you – Autodesk Revit is both a blessing and a curse. Ultimately, that is the tool I generally depend on daily to produce construction and presentation documents. Designing in a 3-D model is irreplaceable in my mind and is the best medium to coordinate the complicated structures and systems we design. However, Revit is the only software in the toolbox, and diversifying your set of skills and toolsets is important in being a good architect. Enscape is a plugin rendering tool and is often my first choice in walking through your drawings and envisioning the “feel” of what you are drawing. I think it’s important to render while you design for many reasons, and walking through your drawings often forces me to ask questions and think differently than I would if I were only looking at a building from one perspective.
3. How do you stay updated with the latest developments in architecture and design?L Are there any resources or organizations you recommend for continuous learning?
I think there are a lot of resources out there for inspiration and trends, so I try to diversify. Listening to other designers via podcasts on Spotify is a great way to stay informed on industry trends and see what challenges they face and how they approach design. Many creators also spend time advertising their designs on social media, and I find that YouTube is a great place to follow creators of all kinds of different things. Continuous education and learning are a necessity in architecture, so I would recommend any aspiring design professional to enroll in AEC Daily – which is a completely free program that provides design and construction professionals access to online classes and webinars about a wide variety of fields and products in the industry.
4. What advice do you have for aspiring architects who are just starting their careers? Is there anything you wish you had known when you were starting out?
Don’t get discouraged! Being an architect is a lot of responsibility, which requires patience, diligence, and dedication. The architect is often considered the leader of the project in many ways, which was something I didn’t fully realize until I got into professional practice. Early in your career, it may feel daunting to be managing a project team with so many other designers, owners, contractors, etc. – but it’s important to remember that all of those people are part of the team and the greater picture. You are part of that team for a reason and your skills and knowledge will grow over the course of your successes and failures to make you the best architect you can be!
5. How do you approach collaboration within your firm and with other professionals in the industry (e.g., engineers, interior designers, contracts)?
Working in a collaborative industry requires scheduling and managing not only your time, but the time and commitment of those on your team. Regular weekly meetings are a necessity for the design team to keep everyone on track and discuss issues and ideas as they come up throughout the design process. Thanks to Zoom and Teams, we have the ability to meet almost anyone almost any time - as long as we can schedule it! Projects can often overlap, which can complicate the coordination of individual projects. It’s important to remember that your consultants and firm are your teammates, and that means you should go into these meetings with clear direction, fairness, and grace.
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