AIA Central NJ Spotlight Series: Carmine Cerminara, AIA
Posted on Jul. 8, 2024 / Member Spotlight / Subscribe 0
AIA Central New Jersey Spotlight on Members
Carmine Cerminara, AIA
Listen + Learn + Retain + Apply
AIA Central is proud to spotlight Carmine Cerminara, AIA. Having left Italy at 4 years old to come to America, Carmine Brought his experience as an Italian-American to the field of service, multi-disciplined firm in Hillsborough, New Jersey. Now enjoying retirement, Carmine spent his career providing architectural, planning, and interior design services for corporate, industrial, and residential projects. Carmine has served AIA New Jersey and was the 2008 AIA CNJ President, and since 1989 remains a steady supporter of the section through active engagement. We hope you will gain some wisdom from his story, and enjoy getting to know him though this spotlight:
Q1. Who or what was your biggest inspiration to pursue a career in Architecture?
I liked mechanical drawing when I was introduced to it in 7th grade. Then, in tenth grade I was introduced to architectural drawing, and I liked drawing houses more than machine parts. That same summer I went back to Italy,and I was awakened to the fact that I had a family. I met all my relatives (grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins) whom I had left behind as a four-year-old. No particular building or experience left a mark at that time, I just felt at home and always assumed that somehow that experience influenced me.
Q2. What has surprised you the most about the architecture profession?
That architecture is so much more than just designing buildings, it is really an all-encompassing lifestyle.
Q3. What has been your favorite part of being an Architect, or working in the profession?
My favorite part is being a generalist. I like knowing a little bit about a lot of things, knowing when to ask questions and solving problems.
Q4. What was the best advice you have ever been given?
Get your license right away; pay attention; get to know your clients and to understand them.
Q5. What would you say was the best career move or decision you have made?
Choosing to serve a few clients very well.
Q6. What was the worst advice you were given?
Being told not to invest in downtown Somerville.
Q7. If you could go back in time, would you still choose to be an Architect?
I would have to say yes. But, knowing what I know today and based on experience, I might change my focus to planning. As architects, we design buildings, planners design communities.
Q8. Knowing what you know now, would you have done anything differently on your career path if you had the opportunity?
Yes, as I got older, I did enjoy planning more than individual building design.
Q9. What (if any) sacrifices have you made to get where you are today?
I feel as though I did not balance my time. I should have spent more time on life, and less in the office.
Q10. Where do you find design inspiration?
All around, for me seeing and experiencing are the best.
Q11. What part of the design process (from pre-design through construction) do you enjoy the most?
The planning. From meeting the client to understanding the problem/question to finding the solution.
Q12. Are there any areas of the profession that you have not had exposure to, which you would like to explore?
Perhaps teaching, and especially more on the business side of practicing.
Q13. Can you share with us some challenges you faced, that left you with wisdom that could be shared with others?
Coming to terms with, understanding, and accepting my skill sets.
Q14. What skills have you developed in your architectural journey that you have been able to apply to other aspects of your life?
Being open-minded and accepting; knowing there is always more than one way to look at things.
Q15. What is your favorite type of project to work on?
Industrial projects - I like the challenge of having to understand the process, in order to make the architecture.
Q16. Could you share with us examples of specific projects you have worked on that you are proud of, or that have impacted you?
I am proud of all the work. But I have a sweet spot for the seasonal air structure which covers a baseball field. By its nature, it became our high-rise design, in that it was 110 feet tall.
Q17. How do you keep your team (and yourself) engaged and enthusiastic on long term projects?
Diversity. Working with developers, most of our projects were short term. Time is money. As to long-term projects, we tried to assign them based on personal interest.
Q18. Tell us about your early days, what do you remember about how the world of architecture looked at that time?
It was large, so much to learn and do. I started in a small firm, and we did it all. When I got to the large firms, the projects were bigger, but it seemed that we did less of the total.
Q19. Give us some examples of meaningful memories that you have from your years working as an Architect.
My first two employers, Gaspari and Ginsberg. Both became friends. And experiencing the satisfaction of seeing a client’s face at the end of a project.
Q20. What do you think is the most significant issue currently affecting our profession?
Attracting more people into the profession. Today's generation is interested in quick rewards, architecture is a long-term investment.
Q21. Do you have any suggestions on how to draw the new generation into the profession?
I hate to say it, but money! As an industry, we were [based on my experience] always behind the pay scale. We seemed to rely on 'being an architect' as the reward. It does come with some prestige, but it does not pay the bills. Education! A lot of the general public still does not know what an architect can do.
Q22. How do you think the architecture profession can improve? For example, what do you think we are doing right, and where do you think we need to be better?
We need to better educate the public, too many people still do not know how valuable our profession is to their everyday lives.
Q23. Where would you like to see yourself professionally in five years? In ten?
Not relevant, I'm retired and staying so!
Q24. How do you stay relevant in an ever-changing profession?
See 23.
Q25. What are your favorite books or subjects in Architecture?
I am currently reading “Paved Paradise…How Parking Explains the World '' by Henry Grabar… and highly recommend it.
Q26. Tell us about your family, how did they impact you?
My parents were hard working uneducated immigrants… they inspired me “to work then play”.
Q27. How do you find balance between your professional life and your personal life?
See 9 above.
Q28. How has being involved with the AIA impacted you personally, and professionally?
Personally, I made many new friends. Professionally, understanding its importance.
Q29. If you had one message you wanted to share with the Central New Jersey community, what would it be?
Network, volunteer, lead.
Q30. Do you have any special tips or tricks to share with our members (for example time management, communications, technical development, or marketing)?
My office motto:
LISTEN to what is being said,
LEARN from what you heard,
RETAIN what you learned,
APPLY the knowledge.
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