PRP Now! Barron Peper // Page

PRP Now! aims to showcase the great experiences students encounter within the Professional Residency Program. PRP offers upper-level architecture students a unique opportunity to expand their education through work experience in the architectural profession. Over the past twenty years, our students have been linked with 260 firms in 29 countries.

We will feature a handful of students within each session, graduate and undergrad, domestic and international firms. PRP staff mostly recently had the pleasure to speak with Barron Peper (B.Arch, '15) about his experience:

PRP: I understand that you are currently doing your PRP internship. Where are you working? 
I'm am working at an architecture/engineering firm that has a long history in Austin - over 100 years of practice! Page, formerly PageSoutherlandPage, has a breadth of work but focuses mostly on large commercial projects dedicated to the betterment of lives. I am in my fifth month at Page and am learning new things every day. From the projects to the people and location, Page cultivates an environment to perform at your best and make a difference.  After all, if we truly believe that architecture has the power to affect lives, why not make the biggest impact by delivering good design to the places we need it most: our workplaces, our hospitals, and our cities.

PRP: Currently, what is on your desk? What are you working on?
Graphic data, a Green Globes Profession Application, some red-lined floor plans, renderings.. and my trusty cactus! I recently co-lead a furniture inventory of an 80,000 sq. ft. project, then visualized the data into easily understood graphics catered to our client, contractor, and joint architect/engineer. Currently, I run daylight and glare simulations on Phase 2 of the Austin Bergstrom International Airport that is currently under construction. Even when projects are well under way, we evaluate their performance and whether it meets our expectations. Using an advanced daylighting program called DIVA that plugs into Rhino, I will explore how our glazing and shade strategies affect comfort. Before too long here, you could give me a first-hand evaluation of the space!

PRP: What song best describes your work-style?
Work It Out by Jurassic 5

PRP: What is the office atmosphere?
The Page office is on the fifth floor of the building just west of City Hall in downtown Austin. With an open floor plan, there is plenty of opportunity to pop your head over your desk to speak with a coworker or wave to someone across the office. Now, when I first walked into the office, I was startled by how much I saw people "on the grind" at their desks. After some time though, I came to love the firm culture... no one is too busy to stop for a moment and give you some of their time. Being a large firm, Page focuses on efficiency at a large scale. It's not about eliminating minutes of non-work throughout the day or becoming frazzled with the task at hand, but about building an atmosphere where projects are managed well, people work hard, care about what they do, and know how to treat each other with dignity. My personality works best in an environment that is focused, but knows when to take a load off. I have found that at Page.

PRP: That sounds good. Are there any unusual traditions? Funny stories?
Every last Friday of the month is Cake Day celebrating all of the birthdays and anniversaries that month. I remember seeing the "June Anniversaries" sheet on the fridge in the break room. I thought it was so cool that Page celebrates long marital commitments - that stuff is rare these days! And in architecture? Boy, these people are accomplished! Before I could congratulate them all, I regained my senses. Turns out people stay here for upwards of 20 years...who knew?

PRP: What is the first thing you'll tell your classmates upon your return to UT?
If you're seriously considering architecture as a profession, do PRP. Nothing shows you what the real world of architectural practice is like other than.... the real world of architectural practice. I am more enthusiastic now about both my professional work (getting a job) and my academic work (going back to studio this coming spring.) We could all use a heavy dose of humility. PRP can help with that too. 

PRP: So, as your finishing up the week, what are your plans for this weekend?
I'm actually headed home to Waco this weekend to work on a project with my dad. One of the biggest reasons I stayed in Austin for residency was to be close to the people I love. Who knows where I'll go once I graduate. I'm excited to be taking advantage of my time in Texas. You know, that may be the greatest thing out there - weekends off.