Becker Schmidt (they/them/theirs)

bschmidt@pcadesign.com

Becker’s continued journey to acquire new knowledge impactfully informs their work at PCA. They welcome new challenges with a positive attitude and thrive on finding design solutions.

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Becker Schmidt in a nutshell

  • I’m from  Chicago

  • List your education  Bachelor of Fine Arts in Product Design from Columbia College; Master of Science in City Resilience Design and Management from International University of Cataluny; and Master of Architecture Candidate from Boston Architectural College

  • Why PCA?  Great people!

  • My earliest architectural design memory  is a four-sided glass building at my grandparents' lake house that they called the tea house. I remember sitting in there during thunderstorms - playing board games, drinking hot chocolate, and watching the rain drops ripple through the water. If I had the word at three years old for what those windows provided, it would have been 'atmosphere.'

  • I’m drawn to design because  creative expression meets problem solving meets human connection.

  • Describe your favorite space 
    "A body of water inside me
    Reminds me of oceans, though I've never known one
    I'm born by a cold one
    It's only a small one compared
    To the coast, I prefer it to most"
    -Jamila Woods on Lake Shore Drive"

  • A project I’m proud of is  I spent 6 months at the United Nations working on the City Resilience Profiling Tool. It is rewarding to know that the improvements I made to the social Inclusion and protection element of the tool will influence how cities respond to climate change.

  • What building or place do you wish you designed, why?  Anything by Peter Zumthor - especially Saint Benedict Chapel, Bruder Klaus Field Chapel, and Steilneset Memorial. A mastery of material, atmosphere, and the sublime that I aspire to in my design and ceramic work.

  • I’m inspired by  those who seek justice and equity through design.

  • On Saturday mornings, you can usually find me  at the Union Square Farmers Market in Somerville.

  • What is the nerdiest thing you do in your spare time?  It's my love for Dungeons and Dragons. I play weekly and listen to podcasts about it almost daily. I will talk about my character, Reishi Dermista (a Circle of Spores Moon Elf who is a Druid Sage) endlessly when prompted.

  • Favorite place in Inman Square  1369, of course. I mean, the pastries...

  • When I’m not working you can find me  at the BAC or at home in my ceramics studio elbow deep in some clay.

  • Cats or dogs?  Both!

  • If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in something, what would it be?  Linguistics! I would love to speak an absurd amount of languages.

  • My best vacation  backpacking in Iceland with my sister and our friends. Hiking essentials include: wine, cheddar cheese, fancy chocolate, and hot drink.