PRP Now! Ramsey Robinson // Architecture Studio

February 20, 2022
PRP Now! is a series of interviews that highlight a current UTSOA Professional Residency Program student every few weeks.
PRP Now Tile block for Ramsey Robinson

PRP: Tell us about your PRP firm. Where are you working?
I am working at Architecture Studio, in their Paris office! They run a collaborative international practice, with other offices in Shanghai and Zug. They develop different type of buildings and programs, from master plans to large institutional complex, office buildings, cultural or housing projects.
 
PRP: (If you moved to another city) Do you enjoy the city you’re working in? Favorite aspects?
I have really loved getting to live in Paris. It’s so beautiful, and entirely different than cities in Texas. While working on improving my French I have enjoyed exploring the museums on the weekends and discovering the incredible food here. One of my favorite parts is living in a walkable urban area. I love walking and taking the metro, though this may be an unpopular opinion among most Parisians! 
 
PRP: What is currently on your desk? What are you working on?
I always have my mini coffee cup ready to go, since it’s much more common to drink espressos than drip coffee. I also have my green, red and blue felt markers ready (each have a specific use in the office) and usually a google translate tab open. Last month I was helping prepare some floor plans and documents for publication of the Pergamin offices that were recently completed in Zurich for the Greencity Eco-district, and more recently I just finished working on a competition proposal for a hospital in Morocco. The competitions tend to move more quickly due to the impending deadline, but they also allow for the fun opportunity to contribute and learn more about the initial design process! I have really enjoyed working on the different projects and learning more about these aspects of architecture. 
 
PRP: Describe the firm culture? The office atmosphere?
Architecture Studio is a collaborative office, and one of my favorite aspects of this is the way people often wander through the office to ask questions and discuss the different potentials for any project. The office does encourage everyone to speak French! I am so thankful for this, as I believe it allowed me to get more out of my experience here - both at the office and in Paris. In terms of office culture, my favorite part is lunch. The office provides tickets for lunch, so we go explore the dozens of restaurants by our office. It’s a great time to get to know more people in the office and experience Paris all at once! 
 
PRP: What is the first thing you'll tell your classmates upon your return to UT?
I have soooo much more empathy for anyone in Texas whose first language isn’t English.
 
PRP: As you’re finishing up the week, what are your plans for this weekend?
This weekend is my last in Paris, so I am finally going to make the journey to see the Palace at Versailles!
 
PRP: Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Given the status of the pandemic I was extremely doubtful that I would find a residency in Europe, but I am so thankful that I did. I would highly recommend the experience to anyone else considering it. Living and working in a different country is such a profound way to begin to experience other cultures and different aspects to architecture!