Name: Eric Osth, AIA
Firm: Urban Design Associates
Family: Married, two children
Years in practice: 15
Education: B.Arch., University of Miami, cum laude; M.U.D., University of California, Berkeley, University Fellowship
Your first job: Loading Dumpsters on a construction crew.
Project you are proudest of: Yang Pu Knowledge & Innovation Zone in Shanghai, China (SOM) and A Pattern Book for Habitat for Humanity (UDA)
Building you would like to tear down: East Liberty Giant Eagle
What is the best part of your job: Terrific, passionate clients.
What would you change about your job: A little less air travel.
What have you always wanted to tell your clients: Thank you.
What is the most annoying thing that architects do: Avoid collaboration.
What is the next big architectural trend: Industry collaboration.
Advice to young architects: Join the AIA.
The one thing you wish they would have taught in school: The widely dynamic characteristics of the profession.
Architectural quote to practice by: “Make no little plans.”
Code/zoning requirement I would change if given the chance: The use of percentages.
Favorite tool (can be digital, drafting, physical, etc): Black ink pen, trace paper.
Favorite building: Faculty Club, UC Berkeley
Favorite outdoor space: Central Park, NYC
Favorite city: Pittsburgh
Architect you would like to have a drink with: Mark Dietrick
Favorite architecture book: American Vitruvius
Favorite Pittsburgh neighborhood: I have to pick one?
Wish list for downtown Pittsburgh: More residences to feel like a neighborhood.
Building you would like to renovate into something else and why: I would like to renovate Allegheny Center into a neighborhood again.
Where you live in Pittsburgh and why you think it is great: Point Breeze, it feels like a small town with the resources of Pittsburgh within easy reach.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where: Someday, I would like to split time between Pittsburgh and Europe. Since that is not feasible, I will stick with Pittsburgh.
Someday I would like to: Bicycle across Europe.
Best gift to give an architect: Gift card to a bookstore.
What’s on your iPod/Pandora/Spotify: Death Cab for Cutie and Dave Brubeck
Favorite Kennywood ride: Racer
I want to be remembered for: Collaboration.
I belong to the AIA because: I want to help maintain and improve the profession.
Eric Osth has also contributed a book review and Viewpoint to Columns. Take a moment to read his collaborations with AIA Pittsburgh!