Coffee Talk with Wojciech (Peter) Kulicki August 2020
How long have you been with your current firm and what is your position?
I started at PK Studios, Inc. as an architectural intern and now, 14 years later, I hold the position of President and Chief Operating Officer.
What is your must have item?
I am a pen nut and can live without my Papermate Flair pens and fine point sharpies
Favorite song?
Guns N’ Roses, November Rain
Favorite quote?
The best gift you can give someone is your time
Were there any particular influences early in your career?
I have always admired the architects that are masters of the craft as well as the architects that get really into the details of the project, as opposed to focusing solely on the surface aspects of the project.
Experiencing the Kimbell Art Museum and the interface between light and concrete that it engages was an amazing and influential experience for me.
What makes you passionate about your daily work?
It has evolved over time but holding a leadership position as I do means that many other people are relying on me and looking to me to make sure everything is in order, so I want to make sure I live up to those expectations.
How do you bring back your inspiration, when you feel unmotivated or do not have a productive day?
I like to get away from the office and look for things outside of architecture to gain inspiration and see how other people in other industries and professions approach problem solving. Also, I find that taking the opportunity to travel can also help me to unwind and find new sources for creativity.
Is there any book, video, project that changed your perception and can recommend it?
I enjoy listening to Podcasts currently my favorite architectural podcasts are Archispeak, Life of an Architect, and Inside the Firm.
Can you tell me a specific skill that helped you to develop yourself and your career?
There are all types of personalities out there. It is in my nature to want to help all people in any way I can. I have used this character trait to make sure that my colleagues and clients are always achieving their goals.
What is the biggest challenge you have run up against during a project?
Generally, the complexity, size and shear scope of our industry makes it impossible for an architect to learn everything in a single lifetime. Consequently, the ability to learn and grow at every step and in a focused way is a critical challenge within our profession.
What development would you like to see in the architecture field in the next five years?
Technological developments such as VR visualization, modular design, 3d printing and robot brick laying are all things that I would be excited to see over the next few years. I believe however that there will be an intentional and important balance regarding how we control the role of the architect as these and other technologies become more readily available.
What have proved to be watershed moments for your practice?
The iconic public buildings that I have had the opportunity to work on with our community and the ability to help shape the architectural fabric of southwest Florida are projects that have continue to resonate with me.
What are some of the opportunities and challenges your office faces now?
In Naples there seems to be a trend to shift away from new construction and into repurpose, revitalization, renovation etc. This presents both opportunities and challenges as we have started to apply design thinking to this new trend.
Who are your two favorite Florida architects?
Paul Rudolph and Guy Peterson are both favorites of mine.
What trends do you feel are important in Architecture/ Design today?
Clients expect a lot more out of firms than they used to. I find that clients are savvier and come into our office with a very clear picture of what they are looking for. I see this as a phenomenon that has shifted the role of the architect away from the iconic depiction of a Howard Roark type figure, as represented in the Fountainhead, and instead shifted in the architect into the role that acts more as a guide to navigate the many moving parts of our industry.
What do you find most challenging about being an architect in southwest Florida?
A lot of clients preconceived expectation around the type or style of building that they want is very narrow, which has led to a homogeneity in our local built environment.
What advantages do you think we have as architects living in southwest Florida?
Climate – Although we have high velocity wind events and humidity, I like not having to design around freezing temperatures, earthquakes, etc.
What do you see as the biggest challenge for our professions over the next 10 years?
Integrating AI within our practice in a way that makes it a partner and does not make the Architect obsolete. For example, being able to outsource code compliance.
What is your favorite project in terms of the design process? Can you describe
As an observation, I find that the most successful project are created when a client doesn’t try to micromanage the process but instead provides goals and ground rules and then lets the architect loose to apply our specific skill sets to solve the problem.
What is your goal when it comes to your work? What do you want to be remembered for?
Bringing a sense of comfort and confidence to the client that they are going about things the right way and that at the end of they day they are going to get what they want.
What do you consider the role of an architect to be in society at large?
We have a unique way of looking at things and are in position to influence the built environment to determine how people work, live at home, how productive they are, how connected to community they are, etc. I wish people had more access to architects and quality architects. Broadening the impact that architecture can have is my goal.
If you could design anything in any location what would it be?
I would love to design an education or museum project because they both have an opportunity for expressive and innovative design and are typologies that can impact the lives of many people.
What advice would you give to young designers starting out today?
Try to experience as many project types and roles within a firm as possible. Whether it be designing, specifications, building inspector, marketing, business relations, physics, etc. our profession is so broad and all-encompassing that no matter your specific area of interest there is a fit for it within architecture.
I started at PK Studios, Inc. as an architectural intern and now, 14 years later, I hold the position of President and Chief Operating Officer.
What is your must have item?
I am a pen nut and can live without my Papermate Flair pens and fine point sharpies
Favorite song?
Guns N’ Roses, November Rain
Favorite quote?
The best gift you can give someone is your time
Were there any particular influences early in your career?
I have always admired the architects that are masters of the craft as well as the architects that get really into the details of the project, as opposed to focusing solely on the surface aspects of the project.
Experiencing the Kimbell Art Museum and the interface between light and concrete that it engages was an amazing and influential experience for me.
What makes you passionate about your daily work?
It has evolved over time but holding a leadership position as I do means that many other people are relying on me and looking to me to make sure everything is in order, so I want to make sure I live up to those expectations.
How do you bring back your inspiration, when you feel unmotivated or do not have a productive day?
I like to get away from the office and look for things outside of architecture to gain inspiration and see how other people in other industries and professions approach problem solving. Also, I find that taking the opportunity to travel can also help me to unwind and find new sources for creativity.
Is there any book, video, project that changed your perception and can recommend it?
I enjoy listening to Podcasts currently my favorite architectural podcasts are Archispeak, Life of an Architect, and Inside the Firm.
Can you tell me a specific skill that helped you to develop yourself and your career?
There are all types of personalities out there. It is in my nature to want to help all people in any way I can. I have used this character trait to make sure that my colleagues and clients are always achieving their goals.
What is the biggest challenge you have run up against during a project?
Generally, the complexity, size and shear scope of our industry makes it impossible for an architect to learn everything in a single lifetime. Consequently, the ability to learn and grow at every step and in a focused way is a critical challenge within our profession.
What development would you like to see in the architecture field in the next five years?
Technological developments such as VR visualization, modular design, 3d printing and robot brick laying are all things that I would be excited to see over the next few years. I believe however that there will be an intentional and important balance regarding how we control the role of the architect as these and other technologies become more readily available.
What have proved to be watershed moments for your practice?
The iconic public buildings that I have had the opportunity to work on with our community and the ability to help shape the architectural fabric of southwest Florida are projects that have continue to resonate with me.
What are some of the opportunities and challenges your office faces now?
In Naples there seems to be a trend to shift away from new construction and into repurpose, revitalization, renovation etc. This presents both opportunities and challenges as we have started to apply design thinking to this new trend.
Who are your two favorite Florida architects?
Paul Rudolph and Guy Peterson are both favorites of mine.
What trends do you feel are important in Architecture/ Design today?
Clients expect a lot more out of firms than they used to. I find that clients are savvier and come into our office with a very clear picture of what they are looking for. I see this as a phenomenon that has shifted the role of the architect away from the iconic depiction of a Howard Roark type figure, as represented in the Fountainhead, and instead shifted in the architect into the role that acts more as a guide to navigate the many moving parts of our industry.
What do you find most challenging about being an architect in southwest Florida?
A lot of clients preconceived expectation around the type or style of building that they want is very narrow, which has led to a homogeneity in our local built environment.
What advantages do you think we have as architects living in southwest Florida?
Climate – Although we have high velocity wind events and humidity, I like not having to design around freezing temperatures, earthquakes, etc.
What do you see as the biggest challenge for our professions over the next 10 years?
Integrating AI within our practice in a way that makes it a partner and does not make the Architect obsolete. For example, being able to outsource code compliance.
What is your favorite project in terms of the design process? Can you describe
As an observation, I find that the most successful project are created when a client doesn’t try to micromanage the process but instead provides goals and ground rules and then lets the architect loose to apply our specific skill sets to solve the problem.
What is your goal when it comes to your work? What do you want to be remembered for?
Bringing a sense of comfort and confidence to the client that they are going about things the right way and that at the end of they day they are going to get what they want.
What do you consider the role of an architect to be in society at large?
We have a unique way of looking at things and are in position to influence the built environment to determine how people work, live at home, how productive they are, how connected to community they are, etc. I wish people had more access to architects and quality architects. Broadening the impact that architecture can have is my goal.
If you could design anything in any location what would it be?
I would love to design an education or museum project because they both have an opportunity for expressive and innovative design and are typologies that can impact the lives of many people.
What advice would you give to young designers starting out today?
Try to experience as many project types and roles within a firm as possible. Whether it be designing, specifications, building inspector, marketing, business relations, physics, etc. our profession is so broad and all-encompassing that no matter your specific area of interest there is a fit for it within architecture.