Why did you choose to attend the University of Virginia?

It was the best education for the value.

Why did you choose architecture? 

I chose architecture because I wanted to be in a creative field but not a total starving artist. Architecture seemed to marry large-scale impact with aesthetic values. 

What do you miss the most about Charlottesville?

I miss arrival of spring; in additional to being sublimely beautiful, it felt like a great reward for another school year finished. 

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

Definitely the one I am working on right now. I am launching Curbed Detroit this month and it feels like the perfect culmination of my interest in architecture, real estate, design, development, and cities. And I get to write all day. 

What have you learned that surprised you?

There are innumerable opportunities to change career paths and that it is fun to just go with them. When I moved to New York City right after college I never, ever thought it would lead to the Midwest. But it’s been perfect so far.