Name: Gregory Coni, AIA, CPHC
Firm: GBBN Architects
Years in practice: 6+ years out of school, 2+ years licensed
Education: Bachelor of Architecture and Minor in Environmental Studies from Carnegie Mellon University
AIA Committees you’ve served on: Just YAF… for now…
Your first job: My first job was as a child actor. I performed in a local dinner theater production of the Sound of Music as Friedrich von Trapp… that was my first and last paid acting gig.
Project you’re proudest of: WVUM Women’s and Children’s Hospital – Keep an eye out for the YAF/Healthcare Committee tour in March!
What’s the most annoying thing architects do? …wearing all black or grey. I prefer a lot of color.
Favorite tool (can be digital, drafting, physical,…): Stove or the cocktail shaker… I like my creative outlets to be consumable.
Favorite outdoor space: My favorite urban outdoor space is Mellon Square, but I really enjoy any outdoor trail that I can take a long run on.
What do you like to do when you’re not working? I am an avid board game player. It’s been a little hard through the pandemic, but I have a back log of new games I’m excited to try.
If you hadn’t become an architect, what would you have been? I was debating becoming an architectural engineer in High School because I really enjoyed Math and Science. My frustration with calculus was what pushed me into architecture.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where? If I could live anywhere, I would live everywhere. Traveling the world is my favorite way to spend my time off. I hope to continue exploring the world, one trip at a time.
What’s on your iPod/Pandora/Spotify? Just started listening to the podcast – “The Argument.” I have appreciated their dives into the topics dividing today’s society and getting to hear the opinions of both sides. I also keep “Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone” and “99PI” in rotation for some laughs and interesting facts.
Advice to young architects: Put yourself out there. With any profession, it’s good to have outlets outside of the office for meeting people, exploring design, and having fun. I have appreciated the perspective joining YAF has provided.