Name: Paul Rosenblatt
Firm: Springboard Design
Family: Wife – Artist Petra Fallaux; Children – Lucas (14) , Ella (13)
Years in practice: 28
Education: B.A. Yale University, M.Arch. Yale School of Architecture
Project you are proudest of: The tiny spare room I converted into my late father’s library – he loved it.
What is the best part of your job: Working with my clients.
What is the most annoying thing that architects do: I hate it when architects complain about clients and contractors. I really try not to!
Advice to young architects: Never lose your creativity.
The one thing you wish they would have taught in school: Accounting.
Architectural quote to practice by: “Every wall is a door.” My wife gave me a paperweight that says this.
The secret to my success: Optimism.
Architect you would like to have a drink with: Louis Sullivan.
Favorite architecture book: Towards an Architecture by Le Corbusier.
Favorite tool: My Moleskine – I have filled 27 and a half since 2005.
Favorite building: The Pantheon
Favorite outdoor space: Carlo Scarpa’s Brion y Vega Family Cemetary
Favorite indoor space: Jerry’s Records
Favorite city: Amsterdam
If you could live anywhere in the world, where: Holland.
Where you live in Pittsburgh and why you think it is great: Squirrel Hill – I can walk or bike to the park, shopping, library – and my favorite record store (see ‘favorite indoor space’ above).
People would be surprised to know that: I used to have really short hair.
What’s on your iPod: Bert Jansch – Neil Young calls him the Jimi Hendrix of the acoustic guitar.
Best gift to give an architect: An unlimited plane ticket and time.
If you had not become an architect, what would you have been: An artist.
Someday I would like to: spend a day a week painting in my studio.
I want to be remembered for: creating a few beautiful, timeless places.
I belong to the AIA because: I value the talents, perspectives, and friendship of my colleagues in the profession. Architects are a rare breed and it takes one to know one.