Architecture Grads Reflect on Work, Offer Advice

by Greg Abazorius
people awaiting an architecture related presentation

Photo by Mia Martin

Ahead of Wentworth Institute of Technology’s Spring 2024 Commencement ceremony, we spoke with a few pending graduates from the university’s Architecture program, which will see the largest group of students walk across the stage this weekend.  

portrait of a man

Riley Sagan – Master of Architecture 

What project or other work through Wentworth are you most proud of?  

I would say the thesis project that is being completed now. It gave me the opportunity to explore a topic I have always been interested in, circulation. This deep dive allowed me to fully understand the specific topic and push myself to a limit as a designer. This was aided by a fantastic professor (Tatjana Crossley) who pushed all the right buttons with her students to get the best work possible. The thesis allows a student to take a typical project to the next level and the satisfaction that comes with it at the end is immeasurable.  

What would you say to someone who is considering Wentworth?  

It's an institution that has many resources available to the students, such as SoAD (School of Architecture and Design) labs and a great host of professors. The architecture facilities are impressive for the size of the school. They give you every opportunity to succeed. The staff truly cares and wants to see students succeed, which goes a long way. 

For a graduate student, the program will give back what you put into it. There are many passionate students who work hard and push each other to succeed. This sense of camaraderie allows for great design projects to be produced and helps develop great relationships that will allow for connections in the profession for many years. The faculty cares about the opinion of the students and truly wants to continue to improve the university. This creates the sense that they are on your team, not just a person in a position of power. 

portrait of a man

Quincy Thomas – Master of Architecture 

What project or other work through Wentworth are you most proud of?  

While there are a number of projects that I am proud to have worked on during my time at Wentworth, the one that I take the most pride in is my master's thesis called "Above + Below: Reclaiming Overpasses for a Cohesive Urban Landscape." Through working on my thesis, I developed a deeper understanding of urban and architectural theory while making my own contributions to the surrounding discourses of urban and highway redevelopment. The year-long exploration that culminated with my final thesis proposal was an enriching and rewarding experience that I am proud to have had the opportunity to participate in. 

What would you say to someone who is considering Wentworth? 

If you're considering coming to Wentworth, it's important to ask yourself the question: what are my career aspirations? Wentworth provides a practical, hands-on education that prioritizes career outcomes. The Co-Op program that Wentworth offers has been invaluable to me and many others, as it provides real-world learning opportunities that help students make an easier transition into life after graduation. Through my Co-Op experience, I not only learned a ton about the professional world of architecture, but I also made great connections and secured a full-time position after graduation. 

man working with a student in a classroom

Kashka Senat – Bachelor of Science in Architecture  

What project or other work through Wentworth are you most proud of?  

I am most proud of the competition projects and proposals with the teams I have been a part of throughout numerous clubs like NOMAS and NAHB. These opportunities afforded me the chance to connect with professionals nationwide, strengthening my network and community, making friends within the Architecture and Construction field. 

What would you say to someone who is considering Wentworth?  

I would say that this is one of those schools where you get out what you put in. Embrace responsibility and really make the most of your time by exploring new opportunities and making new friends. The growth you see for yourself at the finish line is night and day compared from when you came in. You may become the leader a community needs. 

a woman presents her architectural work

Laura Pease – Master of Architecture 

What project or other work through Wentworth are you most proud of? 

I look back fondly at my Global Travel Studio project. Traveling to Greece with my professor, Meliti Dikeos, was a transformative experience. The prompt was to design a modern Asklepion; a sanctuary for holistic care that transcends Western medical norms to engage with a person's mind, body, and soul for spiritual and physical healing.  

This studio emphasized the phenomenological qualities of architecture like no other I’ve taken. The unique Hellenistic landscapes challenged my preconceptions of conditioned space and inspired me to work conceptually with stereotomic materials. 

The place inspired me to design within the earth to physically connect the garden's tiller to the grape's home. 

What would you say to someone who is considering Wentworth? 

Wentworth has a prime location that offers numerous advantages for students exploring Boston. Just minutes away are attractions like the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum and MFA, both accessible for free with a Wentworth ID. Students receive the benefits of a larger school with the advantages and experience of a smaller school through the affiliation of the Colleges of the Fenway. Students can cross-register for courses, clubs, and extra-curriculars in all five schools. In addition, the School's Architectural program stands out with its accredited five-year curriculum, offering flexibility in admission criteria to include those like myself without a portfolio from their previous high school. 

man standing in an architecture studio

Nicholas Leighton – Master of Architecture 

What project or other work through Wentworth are you most proud of? 

Studio 07 where we designed a facade system for an existing building on the MIT campus, and then created a mock-up of the facade system using a clay robotic arm. Then—following into the next semester—was Studio 08, and this was a studio group project led by (Professor) Robert Trumbour. We created an expandable/collapsable modular unit depending on the program it was being used for. 

What would you say to someone who is considering Wentworth?  

Wentworth utilizes hands-on learning and a co-op program that integrates professional work experience into its curriculum. There are lots of networking opportunities and a career-focused education. 

portrait of a woman

Christy Haig – Master of Architecture 

What project or other work through Wentworth are you most proud of?

I will never forget the commitment of the faculty to encourage exploration and curiosity, individually and in our academic endeavors. I speak specifically about the Architecture program, where the faculty are top-notch, often practicing architects, yet are never too busy to answer a question, often in-depth, or to have a conversation about an issue or concern that you are thinking about. I also can not say often enough that my class of students were generous and kind in their support of each other. There is a spirit of collaboration that mirrors what is needed in the field of architecture today. 

What would you say to someone who is considering Wentworth?  
 
My thesis project, Architecture Moriendi: Designs for the Art of Dying, provided me the opportunity to explore sensorially and community-conscious architecture, as well as the importance of beauty in the field of design. Many Wentworth faculty and students expressed interest in my topic and shared in the development of my ideas. It was a very rewarding experience, and it has opened the door to a specific area of interest that I plan to pursue following graduation. 

Find photos from recent Wentworth Architecture showcases and reviews at this link.