Perkiomen X-Day: Inspiration for Architects

MCTIGUE Architecture on September 23, 2022
In 2020, Perkiomen, a preparatory school north of Philadelphia, PA, began offering weekly, virtual “X-period” classes. Known as “X-Day”, the classes bring together an array of speakers— some alumni and some community friends—to share their experiences and insights into their professional work. A graduate from 1976, Drew Pedrick was honored to participate. 

In this excerpt, Drew reminded his class to “fear less” as he shared his design knowledge, his work with innovative and conscious architecture, his experience with international collaboration, and how his team has been working remotely for many years. Drew also spoke of his passion for cultivating a positive environmental impact through conscious design.

Drew shares his journey, and how inspired he was by three things that were instrumental in propelling him forward to becoming an architect.

Drew's inspiration came from three things:
1. His grandfather was an architect in New York, a partner in a well-known firm that designed many of the art deco buildings of the 20s-40s. 
2. He lived in New Orleans in the 1960s, and Drew's neighbor was an architect, designing homes and buildings while working on his own house. Drew enjoyed watching the process, learning about carpentry and finishing.
3. In 1969 while in Mexico City, Drew's family visited the anthropology museum. The architecture, even more than the exhibits, left an indelible mark and helped shape his career.

About Drew Pedrick
At an early age, Drew understood his passions were to design buildings and spaces and do so with care for the planet. Drew began his architecture career as a lighting designer, then worked in the construction phase of architecture, gaining detailed, and practical knowledge. His work quickly grew to include design phases, ultimately leading design, leading teams, and establishing client relations. Today Drew finds his work coming equally from his many long-standing relationships and the new ones he and his team build.