October 18, 2019
To celebrate Ethan’s 24 years at KTH Architects, we asked him to answer 24 questions. Here are some things you may not know about Ethan Hine:
- What’s your name? Ethan James Hine
- Can you make an anagram with your name? No – my mind goes blank after “E”
- Where did you grow up? East Lansing, Michigan
- Where did you go to college and architecture school? Arizona State University, Tempe.
- What was your first professional job? Internship in Singapore. (RSP Pacific Assoc.)
- How did you end up working at KTH Architects? I was recruited from the Pittsburgh AIA Job Board
- How many people worked at KTH Architects when you joined us 24 years ago? 9 people
- What was the first project you designed as a registered architect? DuBois Salvation Army
- What is your favorite thing about living in DuBois? Boating on Treasure Lake, access to great golf courses… it’s like Michigan with hills.
- What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from your mentors at KTH? Do what you say you’re going to do – then overdeliver.
- Which came first, the chicken or the egg? I eat them both often.
- If you could design one professional sports venue, where would it be and why? A half-pipe for the X-Games snowboarders. Snowboarders are fun and it’s Aspen!
- What is your biggest accomplishment during the time you’ve been at KTH? Getting my two sons to adulthood – successfully! And surviving the profession for 24 years in one place.
- What is your favorite project you’ve worked on while at KTH? Whatever my current project is that I’m focused on at any given time.
- What would be your “dream project?” My own small, modern house.
- Are you a morning person or a night owl? I wake up before 5 am without an alarm.
- How many cups of coffee do you drink in a day? 2 cups before work.
- If you had to choose between drafting in pencil, AutoCAD, or Revit, which would you choose? Pencil. However, Revit 3D Design has been incredible to use.
- What is your favorite part of the design and construction process? The variety of tasks it takes to get from the first client interview through ribbon cutting.
- Who were some of your biggest architectural influences? Tadao Ando, Frank Gehry, Frank Lloyd Wright.
- What famous building do you wish you had the chance to design? TWA Terminal at JFK Airport (the original).
- If you could choose one, which city would you visit- Philadelphia or Pittsburgh? I love them both. Philadelphia is my new favorite for food and shopping. Go Steelers, though!
- What is the most important part of the architecture process? Having the owner smile at the end of construction.
- What is your fondest memory of your time at KTH? Being mentored by Nick Teplica (a founding principal). Working for Arnold Palmer on his airport in Latrobe, PA.
