Why did you choose the University of Virginia?

I visited the University of Virginia on the enthusiastic recommendation of an alumnus of the program. I chose the program because it is a great fit. I really like the theoretical approach to architectural history and that I am able to earn a Certificate in Historic Preservation. The professors are incredibly passionate and approachable. I also really like the size of the program (24 students) and have felt a sense of community that I haven't had before. 

Why did you choose Architectural History? or How did you become interested in Architectural History? 

I received a Bachelor’s of Environmental Design degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder. During my junior year, I studied abroad in Florence, Italy and that experience really sparked my love of historic buildings. After graduation, I had a really great internship with the City of Boulder's Historic Preservation program. I have always appreciated history and buildings, but the internship made me realize how important buildings are in creating a sense of place. I really like researching and documenting buildings and felt that a Master's in Architectural History would be the best avenue to do that professionally. 

What do you like best about Charlottesville?

Charlottesville is a great small city. I like the downtown mall and the accessibility of hiking trails. My favorite thing about Charlottesville is probably the Lawn. It has a different feeling each day of the year — I would recommend going in the early morning during the Fall. 

What is the most exciting/interesting project you've worked on?

Last year I researched Charles Deaton’s Sculptured House in Genesee, Colorado (also known as the Clamshell House and the Spaceship House). Construction began in 1963 and the building is an excellent example of the Neo-Expressionist style. I was able to meet with the architect's daughter and husband and study the original plans and models. As a Colorado native, the house had been a familiar but mysterious landmark and so the chance to study it in-depth was really exciting. Daniel Bluestone's Community History Workshop was also really interesting. The project was centered around Richmond's former Gas Works site (now a Superfund site). The class provided a unique opportunity to work with students from the Landscape, Architecture and Planning programs, many of whom I may not have gotten to know otherwise. 

What have you learned that surprised you?

Something that has surprised me is that my each of classmates approaches the field with a different perspective. Coming from an architectural background, I am foremost interested in the buildings themselves, whereas my classmates might be interested in the builders and users or how the use has changed over time. It has resulted in many interesting class discussions and has taught me to look at history in a different way.