Photo by Nicole Martyn
Rob Brennan, AIA, principal of Brennan + Company Architects in Catonsville, Maryland has been a practicing architect for almost 30 years on residential, educational, and community projects in the Baltimore/Washington region. Originally from Connecticut, Brennan graduated with a Master of Architecture and Certificate in Historic Preservation from the University of Virginia. He moved to Catonsville 25 years ago because of his love of historic architecture and small towns.
Brennan is also the owner of Alterego, a sustainable building finish products retailer. “I opened Alterego, which is a healthy green products store for mostly residential and some commercial clients. We offer non-toxic, recycled, and regenerative materials like bamboo and cork. We initially recommended the products, and then opened the store to make it easier for our clients to purchase them.”
Brennan is Green Advantage certified in sustainable design and construction and currently serves on the Baltimore County Landmarks Preservation Commission and the AIA Baltimore board. He is a professional that gives back to the community and sits on the board of the Friends of Druid Hill Park and chairs its Historic Preservation Committee.
How did you get started as an architect? I come from a family of engineers, but I think I got my love of drawing from my mother. She was a teacher who enjoyed drawing, painting, and the creative arts, so I think I picked up on that. Then in seventh grade my art teacher said, “you should think about being an architect.” I took more drawing courses and really began to love the precision of pencil drawing.
What do you love most about your job? The variety. Every day is a mix of all things architecture, business, and community. I have owned my own architectural firm for 23 years.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be? I think there is a fundamental flaw in the education of an architect. It is the adulation of the “starchitect.” The perceived goal is to be individualistically creative, but the reality is that we are a service industry that is based on our clients’ needs. Being a good architect is about making smart design choices for the client, the community, and the environment.
What accomplishment of yours makes you the most proud? My family, of course. My wife Chris and I have three good, smart kids, two of whom found their way to architecture on their own. Matt, 24, Nick, 22, Andrea, 20 are observational and understand place, community, and giving back. Matt graduated in architecture and Andrea is currently studying architecture at University of Virginia.
Also, running two businesses: one over 20 years and both through the ups and downs of the economy, which has been a great accomplishment.
Who in your life was most instrumental in helping you get started with your career? A series of people. My seventh grade art teacher planted the seed. Different professors in school like Tom Schumacher and in the working world, Jack McCartney and Dave Condon were mentors who encouraged me along the way.
What was the biggest challenge you had to face to get to where you are today? How have you managed to overcome it? Setting up a business. When you go out there and look at the regulations, the permits, and licensing, there isn’t a clear step-by-step checklist. It’s important to know the psychology of the business and how to deal with people, that’s something you don’t get any training for in school, and that is the most critical element.
What did you want to be when you were five? Six. I was a kid, and I just wanted to be older.
If you could do anything other than what you are doing, what would it be? I have always loved maps, so I would be a cartographer and/or historian.
What advice can you offer someone wanting to get started in your field? Get out and see things. Visit places and understand cities. Get out and walk. Know a place to reference a place. Architecture is based in history, you have to have that catalogue of places in your mind when you work. Architects don’t create in a vacuum. Learn the backstory, why things are built and why it happened and that informs why it is.
Contact:
Brennan + Company Architects:
brennanarch.com or 410-788-2289
