Will Allen
My love for design is rooted in a desire to build. I found myself diving into architecture after learning welding and metalworking skills. I was attracted to making permanent objects, a property that I associated with steel. So far, I have found great excitement in my architectural education at UIUC. I quickly picked up on the forward-thinking trends that my professors and TA instilled in every class. I have a great appreciation for the world around me and the understanding that buildings must be designed to serve people and the environment far into the future.
My instinct to create has driven me to form a metal sculpture business over the past two summers. This encourages me to create architecture that is inspired by metal forms and vice versa. My ARCH 274 project was a Museum of Contemporary Art extension design that was driven by unique spaces to be filled by modern artists with large scale sculpture. The building promoted a flow from the Chicago streetscape and up and around the artwork while also taking advantage of the lakefront view.
I am also a member of Illinois Solar Decathlon, an RSO that competes in a Department of Energy sponsored net zero energy design and building competition. I am excited to continue my education and journey as a young designer.