Each year, the Corridor Business Journal shines a spotlight on young professionals who have made a meaningful impact on the region early in their careers. We are proud to introduce you to the 20th class of Forty Under 40 honorees, chosen by a committee of past honorees. Paul Desmond Vision + Design Director | Form […]
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Paul Desmond
Vision + Design Director | Form Function Studio
Age: 35
Family: Wife, Haley; daughter, Penelope; dog, Marlow
Residence: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Hometown: Wheeling, Illinois
Education: Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Master's degree in Architecture
If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support? Providing quality, accessible housing. When we can provide a roof over someone's head – that is devoid of worry of weather intrusion, animal infestation, structural failure – hope can become infectious. And when hope is there, light for the future happens.
What’s something people should know about your generation in the workplace? As Millennials, we tend to be attracted to innovation, transparency and social responsibility. Yet I have found that we have a hard time battling the idea that great things take time. I see myself and others within our generation having to fight the battle of instant gratification and all the troubles that may bring.
What’s the biggest issue facing the Corridor? I don't know if the Corridor has "issues,” but rather opportunities for improvement.
The biggest opportunity that the Corridor can start to look at is careful planning and execution of craft within the built environment. We are getting into some major sprawl opportunities, using land to just use land, which then can create environments that are just “okay.”
I am focused on helping guide the way we view buildings for living, working and playing as opportunities to become stewards of our resources, versus viewing buildings as commodities.
What do you want to accomplish by the time you are 50? First and foremost, I hope to continue doing ministry work and positively impacting other lives through architecture and design. I also hope to continue to be in a loving marriage and relationship with my wife. I hope to have children that have a love for others... and hopefully they love architecture as much as me.
Professionally, I hope to build our studio to 30 people locally, open a design center for public education opportunities, conversations and events, and establish a nonprofit side of our practice to help engage other nonprofit organizations.
