Importance of Authenticity: Carter Roth ‘24 B.Arch
Nine Questions with Bachelor of Architecture Student Carter Roth
“CAPLA’s inclusive culture allowed me to be who I am unapologetically, and it gave me the opportunity to flourish as a student and develop my skills as a future design professional.”
Carter Roth traded in cornfields for cacti when he came from Cedar Falls, Iowa to Tucson, Arizona. He shared how CAPLA has helped propel him towards his career goals, while providing him a safe space to be his true self.
What brought you to the University of Arizona to study architecture?
I came from a small town in the middle of the country and grew up across the street from a cornfield. When researching various universities across the country, I was primarily looking for a change of scenery in a much larger urban environment. I've known since elementary school that I wanted to study architecture after high school, so I began searching for a school with a reputable architecture program. During my college search, I came across CAPLA and the University of Arizona. I discovered that the professional architecture degree CAPLA offered was a National Architectural Accrediting Board accredited program, which I need to fulfill my dream of becoming a licensed architect.
What excites you most about studying architecture?
I am a part of the Policy Design cluster in the final stage of the B.Arch program at CAPLA. In this cluster, my peers and I are investigating how policy, especially at the local level, influences architecture that is permitted to be built and where it can be constructed in our built environment. I chose this research cluster because I look forward to developing a project for my capstone experience challenging the current rules and norms that shape our built environment. It is my hope to be a part of a future that promotes equity and access through design, which can be influenced through both policies affecting our built environment and design professionals who exercise great care with their work.
What do you do in your extracurricular time? What are your hobbies, your passions?
Aside from being an avid Taylor Swift fan, I love to go on little adventures and discover the greater Tucson community surrounding the University of Arizona. Tucson has a wonderful food scene and I am always looking for a new restaurant to experience. I also enjoy spending time out in nature, and when the weather cooperates, I like to go hiking and enjoy the beautiful scenery Arizona has to offer. I take many photos when I am in nature or out exploring because I like to capture the many different scenes that the world has to offer, whether that be a lightning strike during a monsoon or a beautiful sunset over the Sonoran Desert.
What do you like most about the B.Arch program at CAPLA?
The best part about the Bachelor of Architecture program at CAPLA is its immersive studio environment. From the very first day I began the program, I have had the opportunity to create many different design projects in my studio classes. These have ranged from projects teaching me how to conceptualize space to ones that ask me to develop a large resource exchange center with a fully detailed program, speculative structural and construction details, all while paying attention to various site, safety and environmental conditions. I feel that these studio classes have allowed me to engage with and develop my creative skills, providing me the opportunity to learn from practicing professionals with real-life experience in the field. My studio instructors consistently challenge me to continue to refine my ideas to create strong projects that I can look back and be proud of. This allows me to build a portfolio that showcases my work to future employers.
What has been your biggest challenge outside of school and how have you overcome that challenge?
Being a part of the LGBTQ+ community, growing up in a small town I did not receive the support from everyone that I wish I had. Sometimes I even experienced resistance from becoming my authentic self. There is a well-known phrase that “when one door closes, another one opens,” and I took this resistance as a metaphorical door closing on some of my interests growing up. However, upon acceptance into University of Arizona and CAPLA, I viewed the opportunity as a new door metaphorically opening for me to pursue my passion for studying architecture. I surrounded myself with friends and mentors who believed in me and supported my dreams of becoming a licensed architect. CAPLA’s inclusive culture allowed me to be who I am unapologetically and allowed me to flourish as a student, developing my skills as a future design professional.
What are your career aspirations?
During the summer of 2022, I had the wonderful opportunity to intern at Line and Space, a local architecture firm here in Tucson. As an intern, I was exposed to the professional world of architecture and got to experience working in a collaborative environment focused on local, as well as regional, projects that would serve to benefit their surrounding community. More recently, I have held multiple teaching assistant positions within CAPLA, working with some of the college’s amazing faculty to teach students fundamental skills about architecture, as well as computer software programs used by many professionals in the field. Being the grandson of public school educators, I am grateful to have the opportunity to experience the educational realm from a different perspective. I appreciate being able to help students succeed in their studies. After graduation, I hope to continue to develop my career in a professional setting, preferably in a firm that also prioritizes putting people first through design. I also hope to gain the required internship experience and pass the needed exams to become a fully licensed architect.
In what ways are you involved in the CAPLA community?
Outside of the classroom, I am actively involved within CAPLA through one of its many student organizations. I am substantially involved with the local, student-led American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) chapter. In my third year of the B.Arch program, I served on the AIAS Board of Directors as the treasurer, which evolved into helping organize our annual Beaux Arts Ball, an end-of-the-year celebratory event for students across the school. My involvement with AIAS continued into the following school year when I served as the chapter’s president during my fourth year. I led our local chapter and hosted a variety of both professional and social events to engage both our members as well as the greater CAPLA student body.
One event that I assisted in organizing was the second annual American Institute of Architects (AIA) and AIAS Student-Professional Mixer. This event included participation from all three architecture schools in Arizona and design professionals from across the state. The event successfully brought together over 200 students and over 50 professionals in productive conversation and networking opportunities. Additional events included hosting a portfolio workshop prior to the CAPLA Job Fair to help students present their best selves d to potential employers. I was proud to be able to dedicate my time and give back to my school through AIAS by helping students succeed and enjoy their time in CAPLA.
What advice do you have for incoming CAPLA students?
The most significant piece of advice I can offer to a prospective CAPLA student is to not be afraid. Don’t hesitate to make new friends in your studio, reach out for help when you need it, speak up and use your own agency to make your own design decisions, and get involved within CAPLA and the University of Arizona. College is an amazing opportunity to discover new hobbies that could become your passion, and CAPLA has faculty that will support your curiosity and openness to new ideas. Your future is yours to make, so don't be afraid to try out new things, pursue your passions, and discover who you are!
What does the CAPLA experience mean to you?
The CAPLA experience for me means learning from amazing faculty that encourage you to pursue your interests in the built environment, creating your own designs and work that you can be proud of making, and building friendships and connections that will last a lifetime.
