Material Matters: Danielle Breyton ’23 B.Arch
Nine Questions with Bachelor of Architecture Student Danielle Breyton
“CAPLA is so much more than just architecture—you get the chance to explore new ideas and ways of thinking and question things you never would have before.”
Danielle Breyton came to the University of Arizona from Alamo, California. She fell in love with UArizona after touring campus and the city, but she wasn't always interested in attending college. At CAPLA, she has learned that the Bachelor of Architecture is much more than design: it's challenging and rewarding in multiple ways, and has prepared her for a dynamic career.
Learn more about Danielle and her CAPLA experience:
What brought you to the University of Arizona to study architecture?
I knew I wanted to attend the University of Arizona after my first tour, when I fell in love with the campus and city. I initially came into UArizona with an undecided major and after a year and a half I declared my major in architecture. I had no idea what I was signing up for but always knew I wanted my profession to allow me to be creative and express myself through design, so I really think architecture was the perfect fit for me.
Pockets of Piece was produced for Danielle Breyton's ARC 401 project. She says, "We were tasked with designing a research facility located in Tucson just off of the Santa Cruz River. This project pushed me outside of my comfort zone by exploring the limits of different materials and not being afraid to 'push and pull' aspects of my building to further the design." Image by Danielle Breyton.
What do you find most interesting in the world of architecture and design as you near your graduation?
Different types of materials really spark my interest. I am currently in the Material Matters cluster and I have thoroughly enjoyed enhancing my knowledge on all sorts of materials. I enjoy pushing them to their limits and being able to create physical models to put materials to the test. I am currently exploring cross-laminated timber for my capstone project, which is fairly new to the U.S. in the design world, so I have really loved researching about CLT and learning more about it.
What do you like best about the Bachelor of Architecture program?
I truly love the freedom we are given and the fact that we are pushed outside of our comfort zones—in designing and in the real world. We’re tested through various forms, whether that be completely changing a design the night before our turn-in or staying up all night to get the model made, or defending a specific choice we made during a critique after analyzing every other possible design choice. We are constantly being questioned, in a good way, on how we can make our projects better and more successful, and I think that that has taught me that there can always be improvement and to always strive to do more and be better.
The Grateful Dead stems from Danielle Breyton's ARC 302 project around the Day of the Dead. She says, "I was researching different murals and art around Tucson that had to do with the Day of the Dead and decided I wanted my building itself to be a piece of art. With a perforated screen wall on the front of the building, throughout the building shadows were cast that resembled similar art that is found in the Day of the Dead celebrations." Graphic by Danielle Breyton.
Tell us about your involvement with the CAPLA Design-Build program.
I need to give a special shout out to the CAPLA Design-Build program. I was lucky enough to be selected to be a part of it and, wow, the things I learned there I would have never learned in a classroom. Being able to physically build a home that we designed gave me a whole new appreciation for architecture. We are faced with issues onsite that you need to solve right there and then. It opened my eyes to whole other world of architecture.
What has been your biggest challenge at CAPLA, and how have you overcome that challenge?
Entering CAPLA, you have no idea how much of your life is going to be consumed by architecture and so, with that being said, I think the biggest challenge I had to overcome was learning time management skills. The running joke is that we say this drawing is going to take an hour so in reality I need to set aside three or four hours to complete the drawing. Learning to set realistic goals for yourself is key to overcoming this issue. I was trying to push out drawings in an unrealistic time and I was just setting myself up for failure at that point.
The kitchen in Stadium Rowhouse 3. Danielle Breyton says, "With a team of two other students, we designed and built the kitchen in Stadium Rowhouse 3 through the CAPLA Design-Build program. We were tasked with the design, purchase of materials, assembly of cabinets, paint and tile being hung and so much more. This program gave me appreciation for the physical labor that is put into making our designs come to life." Photo by Danielle Breyton.
What advice do you have for prospective CAPLA students?
Get ready to work your tail off, but it’s worth it. After late nights all you want to do is sleep, but getting to present all of your hard work and having work that you’re proud of is an experience you won’t get through another program. CAPLA is also so much more than just architecture—you get the chance to explore new ideas and ways of thinking and question things you never would have before.
Tell us about your internship experience.
I worked at Onyx Creative here in Tucson for about a year. I wouldn’t trade the time I spent at Onyx for anything. Working there gave me a taste of what the working world is like, and I am eager to enter it. I made so many great connections and learned even more.
Nook in Stadium Rowhouse 3: Danielle Breyton says, "Fellow B Arch student Jules Cervantes and I were tasked to design this nook. With the framing of this indented wall already done, we were constrained to this small cutout in the wall, but had the freedom to take it on and design whatever we felt fit the space best. With this space right off the main living area, we wanted to make it warm and inviting but also useful. We created a place for storage (since no one ever has enough) and a reading nook/bench where the user can relax and just enjoy being in the present. This nook looks out into the living area and beyond, through the floor-to-ceiling windows, providing a great view." Photo by Danielle Breyton.
Beyond school, what are your passions?
I just love being with my people, whether that be family or friends. Any chance I get I try to surround myself with people who bring me up and spending time with those people are what I love to do.
What does the CAPLA experience mean for you?
Wow, where to even begin! The CAPLA experience has truly been life-changing. As someone who didn’t even want to go to college after high school, I have done a complete turnaround and now I don’t want to leave. The skills I have learned at CAPLA will benefit me for the rest of my life, not only my architecture skills but also my people skills. I have learned how to professionally present work while also learning how to make connections with all different types of people on so many different levels. My CAPLA experience wouldn’t be the same without the friends I have made in the program along the way. The friendships that I made here will truly last me a lifetime, there’s no better way to connect with people than asking a random classmate to help hold up your model while the glue is drying at 3 a.m.
Learn more about the Bachelor of Architecture program or explore how you can support students in their learning and professional development at CAPLA.
