How I got that job: Richard Brownlee

Age: 63

Home: Minneapolis

Job: Partner and director of design at Station 19 [architecture firm]

Salary: around $100,000

How did you get this job?

I was working at another firm in the late '70s and early '80s and I was laid off. We go in these fluctuations of upturns and downturns in the economy. I was referred here by a friend, so I started on a per-job basis in 1982.

What do you do?

What are some of your favorite projects?

The coolest thing would have to be something that contributed to the quality of life of people using it. In places of worship, we look at the number of people attracted there. That's something that we can measure. The projects I'm most satisfied with seem to enliven the spiritual with the everyday, bringing people together in a space where they feel comfortable talking to each other, sharing things about their lives.

When did you know you wanted to be an architect?

My father was an economist, and my mother was very interested in art and was a dancer. I had some competence in math and a comfort with art that led me to think that architecture would be interesting.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing architects today?