Becker Schmidt (they/them/theirs)
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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I’m from Chicago
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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
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Why PCA? Great people!
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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.'
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I’m drawn to design because creative expression meets problem solving meets human connection.
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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.
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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.
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I’m inspired by those who seek justice and equity through design.
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On Saturday mornings, you can usually find me at the Union Square Farmers Market in Somerville.
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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.
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Favorite place in Inman Square 1369, of course. I mean, the pastries...
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When I’m not working you can find me at the BAC or at home in my ceramics studio elbow deep in some clay.
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Cats or dogs? Both!
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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.
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My best vacation backpacking in Iceland with my sister and our friends. Hiking essentials include: wine, cheddar cheese, fancy chocolate, and hot drink.