PRP Now! Corynne McCaskill // Wendell Burnette Architects
Tell us about your PRP firm. Where are you working?
I am working for Wendell Burnette at Wendell Burnette Architects in Phoenix Arizona. It's a small firm with an incredible range of projects all over the world. Getting to learn directly from Wendell and the team has been amazing.
Do you enjoy the city you’re working in? Favorite aspects?
I absolutely love it here. I grew up in the Texas heat, so the weather feels familiar, but of course, the mountain views and dry air make it much more enjoyable! Phoenix has so much to offer, from art, food, and design, it's really an inspiring place to live and work. The office is right on Central Avenue with so many places to eat and shop. I like to take advantage of all the coffee shops nearby on my lunch break.
What is currently on your desk? What are you working on?
Right now, I've got a half-finished iced coffee (per usual), a few books like Architectural Design Standards, Local Architecture, and the studio’s monograph Dialogues in Space. I also have a stack of redlined drawings because I'm working on an exterior soaking tub addition for a previously completed project in Sedona. I spent a couple of weeks digitizing many old photo slides, drawings from Wendell’s portfolios, as well as publications he was featured in to have an updated archive!
Describe the firm culture? The office atmosphere?
The office is very collaborative. Everyone contributes, and every opinion matters. The office set up is very open, so I have been able to see a bit of everything, from design discussions to client meetings. It feels like a true studio environment where you learn by being involved in every step. It has been a great place to grow as a designer.
What is the first thing you'll tell your classmates upon your return to UT?
Everyone needs to experience the desert! It completely changes the way you think about light, material, and how buildings sit in the landscape.
As you’re finishing up the week, what are your plans for this weekend?
This weekend I will do my usual; hit up the farmers market, get a hike in, and cook a good meal. It's my favorite way to reset before the week starts again.
