I originally went to school to be an architect.
I loved studying the design and shape of buildings, and I always felt that architects were just large-scale sculptors.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t quite talented enough to complete my degree, so I wound up changing majors and pursuing a construction job instead. The good thing is, I make pretty good money working as a site manager, and I still get to help construct buildings around the city. As much as I enjoy the process of reading blueprints and bringing them to life, I often struggle with inputting certain appliances and other systems. One of the hardest things to install, aside from plumbing, is a commercial heating and air conditioning system. It’s insane how much has to be considered! You definitely have to be creative when it comes to implementing these HVAC systems in some of these buildings. Last year, I was tasked with installing a heating and air conditioning system that could heat and cool a three-story building. Normally that would be easy, but there was absolutely no room anywhere to install ductwork, A/C units, a furnace – anything involved in a heating and A/C system. So, we had to get creative! Instead of using a conventional central heating and A/C system, we had to rely on radiant heated floors to provide warmth on each floor. We also used central air conditioning along with small diameter ductwork, and placed solar panels around the A/C unit itself on the roof. Doing this not only provided shade for the A/C unit, but also used the light hitting the solar panel to help power the system. Now that’s a genius way to address a problem!