We spoke with Nebraska-based architect Brenton Rahn, AIA, NCARB, about returning to architecture later in life, pursuing his dreams, and finding solutions to complex challenges.
What inspired you to pursue a career in architecture?
I spent most of my life wanting to become an architect. My great grandfather graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) in the 1930s with a degree in architectural drafting.
I quickly moved from drawing buildings and campers to creating 3D models of my favorite buildings out of paper and scotch tape. My parents fostered this by gifting me a drafting tool set early on, and I would draw floor plans and bring those to life by making Popsicle stick models from those plans. When I was 10, my parents were in a position to build their dream home. My mother bought books and VHS tapes of how to be a general contractor for their home. I shadowed that process closely, utterly fascinated by how a simple floor plan could become a life-size home in such a relatively short time. From that point on, I was dead set on becoming an architect.
Tell us about your path to licensure—did you face any unique challenges or circumstances that shaped your progress?
There are three aspects to licensure typically: education, experience, and examination. I'll start with the first challenge. I have never been a good test-taker. I did poorly on the ACT, and not knowing that you could and should retake it until you get a better score, I took my low score as a sign that architecture was not meant for me. At that time, you needed a 25 to get into the college of architecture. I had a 21, so I enrolled in community college and later moved to the UNL College of Engineering to study construction management in order to at least get close to the dream that was quickly slipping away.
Several years later, having left college to start my own locksmith business, I had a particularly slow day at work and decided to create another paper model of one of my favorite building designs. When my wife came home from work, she saw it and immediately told me to apply to the UNL architecture program one more time. I did, and this time, they accepted me based on my previous GPA. Going back to school later in life was a whole new challenge, but I persevered and graduated with my Master of Architecture in 2021. I immediately began to study for the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE) and completed all six divisions within two years of graduation.
How did you stay motivated while working to earn your license?
There was a point early on in my time at UNL’s architecture program that I realized I needed to either commit or go back to locksmithing. My motivation came from a deep desire not to waste the time and money already spent and my desire to finally become a designer of the built environment. I wanted to become an architect. I welcome responsibility. It pushes me to be stronger and grow as an individual. I have an inherent motivation to take charge when necessary. I enjoy new and unusual challenges. It was my favorite part of being a locksmith. Now, I get to apply that skill toward new challenges in architecture when it comes to getting the client's vision built.
Tell us about your current role—what does a typical day look like for you? Are there any projects you're especially proud of?
I'm now an architect at Clark & Enersen, a full-service firm in Lincoln, Nebraska. A typical day includes quite a bit of drafting in Revit to create construction documents, reviewing shop drawings for the materials and specialties in a project that is in construction, handling requests for information (RFI) from the builder, and finding solutions to problems that inevitably arise as the project progresses further. I also attend design meetings both internally with colleagues and externally with clients. Client meetings are my favorite—I love talking to clients and sharing in their vision for the space and how they'll use it. I find great satisfaction in solving problems for others. For the past few years, I've been involved in the design of an addition to a 1900s building in the south Haymarket of Lincoln Nebraska for JA Woollam Co. It’s a brand new facility that needed to blend into an older part of the city. While you can tell it is new, we paid homage to the rich brick detailing seen on buildings all around that area. It's nearly finished and sits next to the newly announced city park at 7th & N Street. I think it has turned out quite nicely.
What advice do you have for emerging professionals?
It is never too late to go after your dream. You will face challenges that others do not, but they also have their own challenges. School is hard, exams are hard, going through life not doing what you love is also hard. You have to choose your hard. If you're in the thick of school, Architectural Experience Program® (AXP®) hours, or exams, know that there is an end to that hardship. The work is incredibly rewarding, but it is hard work. Even though I consider myself a bad test taker, I still made it through. There are people and resources available to help you reach your goals. If architect is your dream, do not give up.
Want more insights on the path to becoming an architect? Check out the rest of NCARB's Architect Spotlight series.
