| Walking into the immaculate tower of offices, | | | | the cities involvement, we create a beautiful |
| people rushing in and out in their silk business suits, | | | | scene and a safe route for the pedestrians and |
| I walk through the glass doors like I own the | | | | the automobiles. Together, the two teams |
| place, because I do. My assistant is at the door | | | | achieve agreement with each other and the city. |
| with my fresh cup of coffee and the plans for | | | | The result is the next biggest project for the |
| the newest project. | | | | company and plenty of work for my staff. |
| My first meeting for the day is with my biggest | | | | A day of running from meetings in the office to |
| client. The owner of the fastest growing credit | | | | the job site and back is a dream day for me. I |
| union in the state wants his buildings to look and | | | | have wanted to be a successful architect since |
| feel like the safest place for investments. He tells | | | | seventh grade. Creating a piece of the land for |
| me what he wants as I sketch several designs to | | | | somebody to live in, people to work in, or for |
| give him the widest variety. After an hour or | | | | public use makes me feel that I contribute to |
| two, we come to a decision and schedule our | | | | everybody’s lives. I want to make pieces of |
| next meeting at the job site. | | | | art that are accessible for everybody to |
| My next client meets me at his home in an | | | | experience. I want to create landmarks, like the |
| extremely wealthy neighborhood. The plans for his | | | | Louvre in Paris, the Taj Mahal in India, or |
| pool house have been misinterpreted by the | | | | Buckingham Palace in London. Knowing that I |
| construction workers. When I show up, the | | | | designed a structure that inspired and moved |
| supervisor immediately quits arguing and listens as | | | | people would fulfill my life. |
| I describe what I wanted to create. He hustles his | | | | I also want to restore the beauty that had been |
| employees to get back to work after we discuss | | | | created centuries ago. The mansions built on the |
| and come to a compromise. The owner proudly | | | | plantations in southern colonies, or the handsome |
| tells me how much he appreciates my willingness | | | | Victorian homes found all over the country that |
| to work with his demands. | | | | are slowly diminishing need to remain a part of |
| I head back to the office to finish plans for my | | | | the landscape. When these buildings are refinished, |
| other projects. The intern updates the drawings | | | | the natural splendor emerges from behind the |
| and the draftsmen point out what can be edited. I | | | | damages done over the centuries. Bringing the |
| offer to take the intern to my next meeting. | | | | magnificence of these structures into view again |
| When we get to the board room, I watch the | | | | will keep diversity in the landscape. |
| intern squirm with excitement and nerves. It | | | | Eventually, I want to own my own business that |
| reminds of my first meeting in the office. The | | | | specializes in all architecture. I want to partner |
| meeting is with my partner and his employees. | | | | with other experienced architects so our clients |
| The two teams work together on architecture | | | | have a wide variety to choose from. With enough |
| and civil engineering plans for a new city center. | | | | experience, I will become an architect and I will |
| The city wants walkway bridges connecting the | | | | own a thriving business. |
| buildings with the main highway underneath. With | | | | |