Andrew McConnico, MLA'12

How did you find your current job?
OLIN sent out a request to graduating students for a short term internship to assist with the National Mall competition and I jumped at the opportunity. It was a powerful and positive experience and allowed me to meet many designers, associates, and partners. Following graduation I was asked to come back in for an interview.

What kind of work are you doing?
Largely I have been working on the London Embassy project. The project is a fantastic and ambitious endeavor that has required extensive coordination with the architect – Kieran Timberlake Associates and the other disciplines. We are very excited for construction to start.

What attracted you to the firm or job?
The collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of the studio was a big draw. The studio has the rare quality of being able to fuse a theoretical basis, with knowledge of how to properly construct a crafted project. On top of this, the people in the office are friendly and not overly competitive.

How did your education at the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design prepare you for your current tasks?
The Weitzman School prepared me to work in a shared and responsive design environment.

Are there specific courses and instructors that influenced you philosophically?
Anu Mathur and Dilip Da Cunha fundamentally challenged how I approach landscapes and the built environment. They taught me how to absorb and learn from a site. In a time when we are ankle deep in data, qualitative analysis – an open ended dynamic, social, and situational response- is equally valid.

Any top moment(s) of your education here?
Travelling to Yuma, AZ in a 700 studio led by Ellen Neises. I have this distinct memory of Ellen leading us through the dry river bed of the Rio Grande. We were taking field notes, observing the ecology, and also looking for a signs to make sure we did not unexpectedly cross into Mexico. The experience became a personal metaphor for the studio and possibly my time at Weitzman School.

What’s next?
Prior to attending Penn I worked as a tree climber. This fall I am going to pursue my ISA Arborist Certification. This Spring I will start preparing for the first exam of the Landscape Architecture Registration Examination.

Are you keeping in touch with others from your class/the Penn community?
Yes. It has been fascinating to watch my colleagues disperse across the country and world to a diverse range of design firms. Though I am in Philadelphia these relationships keep me informed of shifts, events, and competitions, in a much larger design realm.

Any words of advice for prospective students?
A portfolio should reflect a personal design sensibility. As more people apply to design schools with a strong computer graphics base some of the work seems to blend together. Take the time to craft something that reflects how you feel about design, it is worth the effort and will have resonance.

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