Chris Kurrle
Q: Where are you from?
I grew up in the Old-Line State, for you Pacific Coaster’s, that would be the Great State of Maryland, our 7th state. Home of the Chesapeake Bay, Blue Crabs, Fort McHenry, Annapolis, the birthplace of Babe Ruth and the Baltimore Orioles.
Q: Where did you go to school?
I grew up in a small rural community in central Maryland. I went to Francis Scott Key HS, affectionately known as “Corn Field High” by all our rivals. I went to college at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Majoring in both Building Science & Architecture, with a Minor in Geology. One would think that after 5 years at such a school, I’d be able to spell Rensselaer, but I did just look it up… again.
Q: Tell me about your family.
My mother was born in Chile and came to the United States with her parents and younger brother while her father completed his residency at John Hopkins. While here, Salvador Allende was elected, assassinated, and the country had a coup. What was intended to be a two-year trip, turned in to 11 years. My mother finished high school, met my father while in college, got married, had me, and ended up staying in the US after her parents and brother returned.
Q: What makes our office unique?
One of our best attributes is our office culture. The way we work as teams, our mentorship, the in-house activities we support both socially and professionally, the celebration of our individual strengths, and the willingness to acknowledge our weaknesses. It humanizes us all, creating a studio that is passionate, professional, and team focused.
Q: What is the last show you binge watched?
I honestly don’t watch that much TV, but I’ve been an F1 fan for a long time, and Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” follows the racing series over the course of the season, and I’ve really enjoyed watching that. I think mostly because almost all the people that I’ve been trying to get to watch F1 for the past decade are now hooked and text me before sunrise on Sundays!
Q: Which hobby are you most fervently pursuing at the moment?
Hobby? Singular? Really? Ha, I think I’m the hobby king of the office. In spring and summer, it’s bike riding (road bikes mostly), and archery. I love bicycles, the places they take you, the memories and friendships they foster, the culture(s) they support. Bows are the most complex tool I’ve ever played with – powerful, meditative, precision that is ridiculously satisfying.
Q: What kinds of projects do you most enjoy working on?
I really enjoy the range of work more than a particular kind of project.
Q: What’s your favorite part about coming to work?
Personally and professionally, I think it’s really important that we’re always learning. Solving problems as a team, no matter the scale of the problem, always reveals multiple ways to approach, tackle, and solve issues. Our team structure, both at the project and leadership levels really provides structure for this. Maybe that was already best said by Aristotle, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”
Q: Favorite SF hidden gem?
Bernal Heights, shhhhh
Q: What superpower do you wish you had?
The FORCE, like Yoda.
Q: What are five features you would include in your dream home?
In order: minimum 1250 acres, varying terrain of oaks, arable land, riparian corridors and a 150-acre pond; hobby barn/garage, big one; outdoor cooking/entertainment area (w/60” Santa Maria Grill and Gas grill, Pellet and Wood Smokers, Clay Oven); Equestrian Facility/Stables (for Horses/Llamas); modest single story main residence (3 bedroom) with wonderful natural light, indoor/outdoor living, great for entertaining; 3 Guest Cabins.
