Zach Weldy
Project Designer
Why did you choose to be an architect??
I grew up building furniture in the garage with my dad, and playing with Legos when he wasn’t home. I started college in a digital graphics and animation program, hoping to make movies or video games. I soon realized I missed making things in the real world, and switched over to architecture after a year. The change suits me well and I love my work, and my background in computer graphics has affected my design process. I like to use 3 dimensional software to help me visualize complex ideas.
What aspect of your role do you enjoy the most?
I really enjoy working with clients directly to develop program and design concepts from the ground up. Alliance Architects has a lot to offer clients through our experience and creativity, and that shows best in how we can help clients solve problems, and find creative ways to add value to their buildings. Most clients have needs that derive from what they do and how they do it, therefore learning about our clients operations helps us to serve them better.
When you retire, what are you going to do?
I don’t think I will ever truly retire, but I expect eventually I will decide to work less, and travel more. My wife and I love to travel, and we plan to make that a big part of life in the future.
Most important quality needed for success?
A willingness to work is key. It is our responsibility to be experts in our clients needs, so education and self-enrichment are vital to long term success.
What is the first thing you would buy if you won the lottery?
Plane tickets. My wife and I love to travel, and with that much money we could take an extended vacation, then figure out how to be responsible and practical with the rest.
What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years?
How to manage my time and energy. When I was young, I tended to forget things, lose things, and was easily distracted. I was often embarrassed by that, even into college. I grew a lot during graduate school and working at Alliance Architects, so now it isn’t much of a problem anymore.
What is your hidden talent?
Most people don’t know that I am a black belt in karate and won some fighting competitions when I was a teenager.
What is the last song you played on your music device?
An audio book… “Dune” by Frank Herbert. I’ve read it many times, but I still come back to it now and then.
