PRP Now! Jacob Hurt // Bohlin Cywinski Jackson

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 most recently had the pleasure to speak with Jacob Hurt [M.Arch. '19] about his experience. 

PRP: Tell us about your PRP firm. Where are you working?
BCJ is an architecture office with six branch offices in cities across the United States. They have offices in Wilkes-Barre PA, Pittsburgh PA, Philadelphia PA, Seattle WA, San Francisco CA, and New York NY. I am at the Seattle office. Each office is between 20 and 40 staff. 

PRP: Do you enjoy the city you’re working in? Favorite aspects?
Seattle is a beautiful city. Situated on a narrow strip of land between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, the city has spectacular views of the Cascades and Mt. Rainier. The city is surrounded by dense forests and lakes offering great spots to get out an enjoy the outdoors. The city has amazing coffee and plentiful coffee shops to fill your free time. 

PRP: What is currently on your desk? What are you working on?
Currently on my desk there are plans, elevations, and sketches of a new mixed use project that is in the early stages of development in Jerusalem, Israel. This project has not only allowed me to work on Site Analysis and early Schematic Design, but it has also allowed me to dive deep into the history of a city that is steeped in thousands of years of history.

PRP: Describe the firm culture? The office atmosphere?
BCJ is a vibrant community of employees that support one another. The office is constantly full of talented employees that work as a team to design beautiful projects of all types. The office works hard but is not afraid to grab a beer after work or have a happy hour on Fridays. The vibe of such talented designers give a great energy to the office. Everyone is always willing to talk about their projects and always welcomes design input.  

PRP: What is the first thing you'll tell your classmates upon your return to UT? 
The first thing I would tell my classmates is that working for BCJ in Seattle is the best of both worlds for PRP. It is a great firm in a great city. Looking up from my desk and being able to see Mt. Rainier and the Olympic National Park Peninsula across Puget sound is beautiful. 

PRP: As you’re finishing up the week, what are your plans for this weekend?
This weekend I will most likely go out on a hike somewhere around the city. You don't have to drive far to be immersed in the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.