Christian Hughes, Assoc. AIA

Name: Christian James Hughes, Assoc. AIA
Firm: Michael Baker International, LLC.; Carnegie Mellon University, Architecture Explorations; Affiliate, The Kingsley Association (Larimer); Affiliate, Green Building Alliance – The Green and Healthy Schools Academy
Family: Single, oldest of 4. From Detroit, which is where my immediate family lives. My extended family is divided between North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.
Years in practice: 3 (including scattered summer internships)
Education: Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia – Master of Architecture, May 2014; Carnegie Mellon University, UDream Fellow (Urban Design Regional Employment Action for Minorities) – June – September, 2014
Your first job: Family Dollar Stores
What’s the best part of your job? Learning. Learning the tricks of the trade at Michael Baker International. Learning the people that I serve in Larimer through the Kingsley Association. Learning what a “Green and Healthy School” is through the GBA. And learning about the students I teach on Saturday mornings at CMU and how to teach them.
What’s the most annoying thing architects do? Make EVERYTHING about architecture…..even when having fun. But hey, architecture is a lifestyle, right?!
Favorite outdoor space: Place des Herbes, Uzes, France
Favorite city: Detroit, Michigan
Favorite Pgh neighborhood: Larimer
Building you’d like to tear down: Unité d’Habitation by Le Corbusier. I’ve been to it…Le Corb was wrong for that one!
If you hadn’t become an architect, what would you have been? Math teacher, but now that I’m teaching at CMU for their Architecture Explorations Program, I get the best of both worlds.
People would be surprised to know that: I’m only 23.
Where you live in Pittsburgh and why you think it’s great? I live in Point Breeze. I love the area. The homes have rich historic character, and it is near my favorite neighborhood – Larimer!
Something you’d like to learn how to build with your own hands: A house!
I want to be remembered for: My service. I want to be remembered for increasing female and minority participation in the field of architecture. I want to be remembered for being a servant of all peoples. I want to be remembered for transforming the way we think about community and the equality of the qualities of life for all.
The secret to my success: Giving back. For every accomplishment, I try to turn around and pass the success on.
Advice to young architects: Meet older architects. They will help you out in the long run!
I belong to the AIA because: It is an association of professionals from all ages, walks of life, and backgrounds with one common goal – designing with purpose.