By BBCO
At BBCO, our people are at the heart of everything we do. This month, we’re shining the spotlight on Aaron Kuck, Senior Designer, whose journey to architecture has been fueled by creativity, service, and a desire to leave a lasting mark on the world. Known for always lending a helping hand and being someone teammates can truly count on, Aaron brings a spirit of reliability and collaboration to every project he touches. On WFH Fridays, you can always find him holding down the fort at the office, and outside of work he’s quick to bring joy and a positive attitude — whether it’s at a volunteer event, on the volleyball court, or at a team happy hour.
What inspired you to pursue a career in architecture?
An answer in four parts: 1) I’ve dreamed and created since I was a small child. 2) My family has a history of service, design and making. 3) I enjoy problem-solving, and the built environment faces plenty. 4) I don’t have children and it’s a small way of leaving a mark on the world.
Can you tell us about a project you’re most proud of and why?
The renovation of the Veterans Student Lounge at The Ohio State University is important to me personally as an alumnus and former Veteran Community Advocate for the university. Veterans tend to be non-traditional students who commute to campus. The lounge is a secure space to study between classes, have a meal, or simply rest and is also a focal point for the veteran student groups. I spent time there as a student and like many other Veteran Community Advocates, utilized the space to provide programming to veteran and military-connected students. Veteran alumni helped get the project started and I’m honored to support my fellow veterans of The Ohio State University.
What do you love most about working at BBCO?
I enjoy the variety of projects in which I’ve played a role as well as being involved in every phase of the design process.
How would you describe your leadership style?
I believe being a leader is no different than being a good teammate, except the overall responsibility rests on your shoulders.
A good leader isn’t a manager; they are the foremost among peers who should provide an example for behavior, share their knowledge, and ensure team members have everything they need to accomplish the mission and find personal growth in that task.
What’s one thing you’ve learned in your career that you think everyone should know?
Read more. You are always a student of what you do but you also need to cultivate broad interests. Feed curiosity.
What’s your go-to creative fuel (coffee, music, routine)?
Morning exercise, a mug of coffee, and then listening to a song to get pumped up on the drive to work. I also read a lot which inspires me to create.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the field?
Take notes & budget your time.
If you weren’t an architect, what would you be?
Archaeologist. I’ve always wanted to do this, that, or be an Astronaut. They’re my 3 “A” dream jobs.
What excites you most about the future of BBCO?
I’m excited about our firm’s growth and expansion in terms of markets and the opportunities both provide for personal professional growth.
How do you hope to see the industry evolve in the next 5 years?
I would like to see the construction industry accelerate the shift toward resilience and sustainability and for the Architecture profession to better inform the public what value it can bring to a project.
What makes a BBCO project different?
There’s a tough learning curve to working here but it shows in the well-crafted drawings that comprise our actual product.
How do you foster collaboration across teams?
My thought process is needlessly verbal sometimes, and it’s become a tool that provokes team members to respond to the task at hand. Not everybody is willing to speak up first but damn near everybody in our profession is ready to respond when an idea is provided to build upon.
Aaron & BBCO team members at the at the Franklinton Farms Volunteering Trip
Aaron on-site at Dublin Pre-K