From a young age, Jacob Lampi knew that architecture would be a great career choice for him because of his creative nature. As a visual person, he ultimately decided to attend an architecture program for the curriculum and how much he knew he would enjoy it. “I did not realize until architecture school just how much I enjoy buildings, and now I am obsessed with them,” he said.
Jacob, who is currently finishing his Master of Architecture degree at the University of Detroit Mercy, is the 2024 recipient of the Leslie Tincknell Scholarship. For Jacob, being awarded the scholarship was a humbling accomplishment. He explained, “I have witnessed many of my older colleagues who were role models for me win MAF awards, and it means a lot to be following in their steps.”
His current degree program has allowed him to be free and creative, and he has been able to create work that reflects his personality and challenges the status quo. For his thesis, Jacob is exploring the world of real estate development. “This self-guided exploration attests to the freedom and creativity architecture students are allowed to have,” he explained.
What does Jacob love most about architecture? “As a great professor of mine, Will Wittig, preaches – architecture is a container for space. I love that architecture provides spaces for human interaction to unfold. A well-designed space does not necessarily instigate quality human interaction but allows it to happen. These spaces end up being what helps to shape our lives and our memories.”
Jacob’s favorite city for architecture is Berlin. “I like the intensity and boldness of the buildings. It creates a rigid and dominant atmosphere that mixes well with the culture of the city and speaks to its history,” he said.
He hopes to design commercial spaces centered around entertainment, including restaurants, coffee shops, bars, clubs, and event venues. “These spaces always have strong aesthetics which evoke strong emotions, and are spaces I enjoy being in.’
As part of their MAF Scholarship application, students must include a personal statement describing their interest, experience and plans related to architecture, and their leadership and extracurricular activities. In his application, Jacob talked about his drive to be a leader. “I received a leadership minor as part of my bachelor’s degree and have routinely taken the initiative to lead throughout my life,” he said. “My career responsibilities also demand a leadership role, which I do not take lightly. It is my goal to become an executive leader in the real estate field and use that platform to make better buildings for all people.”
In the future, Jacob hopes to start his career working in project management positions in either real estate development or real estate consulting. “I plan to draw on the fundamentals of environmental awareness and social progress that have been bestowed in me throughout my time in architecture school and integrate them into my work.”
Students are also required to submit a personal portfolio with their application. For Jacob, his goal was to have his portfolio showcase his ability to have a variety of different approaches to design, to demonstrate his adaptability and comprehensive understanding of architectural design.
Michigan Architectural Foundation’s mission is to advance awareness of how architecture enriches life. How does Jacob think architecture enriches life? He believes that architecture has the power to drive social and environmental change through design. “Design is complex, and there are many problems to solve in our buildings and in our world. Architecture provides opportunities for creative problem solving and thoughtful design solutions that improve the spaces we inhabit, therefore enriching lives.”