PRP Now! Alexandra Krippner // Snøhetta
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 Alex Krippner [M.Arch. '15] about her experience.
PRP: Tell us about your PRP firm. Where are you working?
I am working at the New York City location of Snøhetta. The office recently moved from the Southern tip of Manhattan near Battery Park to the Financial District. We have been in a temporary space for the past four months while the new office was being constructed upstairs. It is amazing to finally be in the beautiful new Snøhetta designed space!
PRP: Do you enjoy the city you’re working in? Favorite aspects?
It was a long and brutally cold winter in New York, but the arrival of summer has been incredible. The city feels much more friendly and accessible, alive with opportunities. I never pictured myself as a New Yorker, but my time here has been full of wonderful new experiences, constant unique and unusual sights, and always something new to explore. I’m constantly stopping in my tracks to photograph stunning scenes of city life. I’ve been working in Manhattan but living in Brooklyn, so it’s been a great balance to have access to the hectic bustle of the city as well as the more low-key neighborhoods of Brooklyn.
PRP: What is currently on your desk? What are you working on?
Currently on my desk is my Snøhetta mug-- upon arrival at the temporary space we each found a coffee cup with our name and an image printed on it.There is a tape measure from when I was working on millwork drawings in Revit for a design development set of a university library, a can of grey spray paint from building a model with a grey stone facade, and a couple of chunks of blue foam from working on a site model of a public market in Portland, Oregon. There are a also multiple different colors of pens and draft drawings and sketches related to the projects I have been able to work on since I’ve been here. There has been a lot of work in the model shop, switching from small-scale building models to larger scale details. I’ve appreciated working on models that have given me a greater understanding of the New York City built environment as well as, more recently, models of the more familiar Texas landscape (a nice reference back to home!).
PRP: Can you describe the firm culture? The office atmosphere?
The firm culture is lively, happy, social, and collaborative. Many days everyone eats lunch together at the long central table. While we were in the temporary space --with cubicles and not desks situated together as is the preference--pictures of all our faces hung from the ceiling above us so we knew where everyone was siting-- there was a sense of fun in dealing with the temporary state of arrangement. There’s also a clear connection with the other Snøhetta locations: the different offices, such as the new San Francisco location and the original Norway location, keep each other updated on new acquisitions and project progress-- as well as major life events and congratulations to members of the Snøhetta family, from coast to coast and across the ocean. We recently had a happy hour Pecha Kucha so everyone could briefly present their work and roles in current office projects so we could all know what everyone else is working on -- involvement by everyone in all aspects of the design process is encouraged, whether your background is in architecture, landscape, interiors, or design. There’s also a fun tradition of all the newly hired members of the office planning the next office party, so I worked with an amazing group of people to envision and create the summer party for the U.S. offices.
PRP: What is the first thing you'll tell your classmates upon your return to UT?
Don’t be afraid to pursue wild ideas! Sometimes the prevailing sentiment in school seems to be that studio is the last chance to take risks and be bold with our designs. I feel so fortunate to be at a firm that constantly encourages bold and original thinking. I'd also say to enjoy school during the relatively short time we have there. Interning at Snøhetta has been an incredible experience, but I'll return to school with enthusiasm and inspiration for the freedom and time to explore new ideas.
PRP: As you’re finishing up the week, what are your plans for this weekend?
Many of my weekend plans involve trying to spend time outside while taking advantage of what New York has to offer. A few weekends ago I rode in the 35 mile Tour de Staten Island bike ride, along with much of the Snøhetta office, and we were able to go through Freshkills Park, the former massive landfill for the city, and see how it’s being redeveloped. I’ve loved walking the High Line and exploring the new Whitney Museum. This coming weekend to involve a jog along Brooklyn Bridge Park overlooking Manhattan. Because New York seems to bring together people and places and time I’ve been able to spend time with a couple close friends from growing up in Dallas who both happen to direct art galleries in Manhattan. I’ve spent time discussing architecture and fashion photography with one and attending art openings with the other such as the fantastic Basquiat show at the Brooklyn Museum and Cy Twombly at the Gagosian Gallery. I also had a great time recently at the Latin American Architecture exhibit currently at the MOMA-- fellow UT grad student on Residency Shelley McDavid and I saw UT Professor Fernando Lara speak at the opening. I’ve also run into other architect colleagues whom I had met all over the globe -- at a design-build in Costa Rica, at the Venice Biennale, and at a summer architecture program years ago -- sometimes it seems everyone is here in New York! While there is definitely a lot I miss about Austin, it will be difficult to leave this New York City and Snøhetta after these incredible six months! Fortunately, Snøhetta will be working on several projects in the state of Texas, so I hope to stay in touch and continue to closely follow their work.