Alumni Profile: Ben Youtz

Ben graduated from Northeastern’s School of Architecture undergraduate program in 2006 and immediately pursued his Master’s degree at Northeastern, finishing in 2007. Throughout graduate school he worked in professor Peter Wiederspahn’s studio working on two residential renovation projects located in Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonia Community in upstate New York. After completing graduate school, Ben began working at designLAB architects, an award-winning collaborative studio in Boston. designLAB architects was recently featured in Architect Magazine’s ‘Architect 50’ as the ‘fastest-rising’ architecture firm in 2009. He has since become LEED accredited, completed the IDP process, and intends on starting the ARE exams this coming fall.

Ben has also continued working with Peter Wiederspahn developing e3co, an Ecological Comprehensive Component Construction System. e3co System™, is a sustainable prefabricated-panel construction system that is a high-performing alternative to laborious and wasteful American wood-frame or Chinese concrete construction. Peter and Ben are currently working with Northeastern’s School of Technological Entrepreneurship and College of Engineering developing business and marketing strategies, pursuing patent protection, and consulting with potential venture capitalists.

"My interest in architecture and construction began when I was quite young. I have always been interested in the assemblage of pieces and understanding how an object is actually constructed. From playing with Legos and Erector Sets as a child to observing and contributing to various construction projects throughout my life, the construction and design of built forms has always been a part of me. This clear fascination drove my decision to pursue architecture as a career.

To me, architecture is not just about conceptualizing, designing, and constructing the built environment, it’s about a comprehensive understanding of the built environment. It’s this understanding that allows the tectonic value of a building to express itself as an art form that is equally important to a project as the holistic architectural vision itself.

Northeastern’s paradigm towards the practical approach to ‘real-life’ design issues in today’s cities, in addition to the hands-on experience at various co-ops, helped solidify my pragmatic approach and view towards architecture."