I am an architect by trade, but architects are supposed to always be influenced by everything. From nature to art to science to sports, I have learned that keeping an open mind (and sometimes thinking too much) lets me be inspired at any moment and constantly grow. At the same time, I do not fall victim to whimsy--I value a strong work ethic and technique. In other words, working on HOW you do something is just as important as the end result.

Looking back, my favorite teachers were those who...