Team Talks feature conversations with Handel Architects employees, exploring their paths into the architecture industry and their unique professional journeys.

Harry Solie interviewed by Katie Donahue, Senior Associate at Handel Architects.

Hi, Harry! Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Sure! I'm Harry Solie, a Senior Project Architect at Handel Architects in Boston. I've been in architecture for about 12 years. I have a master's degree from the University of Michigan and an undergraduate degree from UMass Amherst. I've been at Handel for three years now. Outside of work, I have a young family with two boys, both under six. I often get teased for making coffee right before leaving the office, but that's because I need to fuel up for my second job as a dad. When I'm not working I'm chasing them around, either at the playground or on the soccer field.

I'm also one of three boys in my family, and it seems to run in the family—my dad has two brothers, and my grandfather had four brothers. So, my family definitely knows the drill when it comes to raising boys. We live in a 100-year-old Colonial house, and I love tackling projects around the home. Last year, we put in a deck, and I redesigned an office space for my wife, who works from home. I’m currently in negotiations with her to let me turn the garage into a three-seasons room, so we'll see how that goes.

Sounds like a busy life. What are your boys’ names and ages? What are they into these days?

My older son, Ben, is five and a half. He just started kindergarten this fall and takes the bus now, which is a big deal. Owen, my younger son, is four and in preschool. Both boys just started playing soccer, which is exciting for me since I grew up playing. Ben scored his first goal last weekend—I was way more excited than he was!

Good job Ben! If you’re a big soccer fan then I have to ask- what's your soccer team?

I’m an Arsenal fan. Go Gunners!

Prior to the family life, can you tell us a little about your path through architecture school or an interesting trip that influenced your trajectory?

Absolutely! Right after I graduated from UMass, I had an incredible opportunity to travel through Europe with one of my college roommates. We spent three weeks visiting Germany, Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands, France, and Italy. It was amazing. I packed everything into a huge backpack and just went, and by the end of the trip, it was almost empty. I was 22 at the time, and I had never been to Europe, so all of the culture and experiences and architecture were exciting.

At the heart of the trip, and why I was able to convince my parents to pay for it, was a pilgrimage to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, designed by Frank Gehry. It was my favorite building even as a kid, before architecture school, so visiting it was a dream come true. I actually broke off from my friends for two days to explore the museum by myself and really try to understand it inside and outside. I was fascinated by how the building interacts with its surroundings and how its design complements the artwork inside. It responds directly to the context and certain parts are designed based on sight lines, vistas from far off streets, from the bridge and the water because it’s sited right on the river. It also considers the art of the permanent collection – some Richard Serra sculptures, some digital artwork- and the space is tailored to it. That trip was huge for me and it started my architecture career on the right foot. The Guggenheim in Bilbao will forever be my favorite building. There is a famous quote that reads, “The Museum appears as a spaceship, but one that landed a century ago and the city evolved around it.

It's clear you've had a long-standing passion for architecture. What sparked your interest in the field?

It all started with Puzzle 3D actually, do you remember those?

I do!

I’ve always loved puzzles and problem-solving. My mom introduced me to Puzzle 3D when I was young, and it really got me thinking about building in three dimensions. I created all sorts of things—like a three-foot tall version of Big Ben, and the entire island of Manhattan. One Christmas, I got two huge puzzles that were 12,000 pieces each that should have taken months, but I think I was done by New Years. It really fostered my love for building things and problem solving.

I was also very fortunate that my high school offered a basic AutoCAD class. Which is funny when I think back to how rudimentary the software must have been in 2001. But it allowed me to learn about 2D drafting and translating things by hand or in the computer. The combination of that exposure and my love for puzzles and design led me to pursue architecture, and I haven’t looked back since.

That’s such a unique journey, and you’re right, architecture really is problem solving. How did you end up at Handel Architects?

I grew up in Boston and had always been curious about the architecture around the city. Whenever I noticed an interesting building, I would look up who designed it. Handel Architects kept coming up. I learned they designed notable projects like the Boston Conservatory and the Winthrop Center, which caught my attention. Every time I looked up at great building I came across I seemed to see Blake Middleton’s name on it. Eventually, I reached out and was fortunate to join the team.

That’s a great way to find a place you want to work for. Can you share more about the projects you're currently working on at Handel?

Yes, and since then other people have reached out to me saying the same thing – that they looked up some buildings they came across and are interested in Handel Architects because of the work they saw. Right now, one of our major projects is a Life Sciences campus in the Boston Seaport area which is an incredibly up-and--coming area, though also a challenging one due to height restrictions near Logan Airport. Our work includes two life science towers, each about 500,000 square feet and ten stories tall. We just completed 2 Harbor, and 4 Harbor is moving through the permitting process—we hope to break ground by the end of next year. The project also features a nearly one-acre plaza, which is exciting for the city.

What’s your day-to-day like at Handel Architects and what do you like most about what you do?

Work on 2 Harbor is coming two a close and work on 4 Harbor is just beginning, so it’s been interesting being involved in the finishing of construction on one and the early big picture concept ideas of the other. We have a small and tight-knit team here in the Boston office, so we’re all highly collaborative and working together to share ideas. I really enjoy the entrepreneurial spirit at Handel Architects. Everyone is encouraged to explore all aspects of architecture, from design to business. We’re all encouraged to be curious. I work closely with our small, collaborative team, guiding junior members and helping them develop their ideas. I feel really empowered in my role. Mentorship is a big part of what I do, and I find it incredibly rewarding. Additionally, I’m involved in business development, connecting with clients and building our network in Boston’s architecture community. Architecture, like many disciplines, is a small world, and there are a lot of opportunities to connect with others and build up a network which feels really rewarding..

You mentioned mentorship—how do you view its role in architecture and why does it matter to you?

Mentorship is crucial in architecture. I think it’s important in lots of industries, but maybe more so in architecture because you have to be comfortable working through unknowns and seeking out the answers. There are so many paths one can take, and having guidance helps navigate the profession. I love working with younger staff and sharing my experiences to help them find their way. We also have a co-op program with Northeastern University, and I enjoy mentoring those students as well. Empowering them to take ownership of their work can unlock their potential. Everyone is a lot better and has more to offer than they think because there’s so much pressure. But if you give them the right opportunities and really listen to what they’re interested in, you can help them shine. And I've benefitted tremendously from having some great mentors of my own over the years. It's a mutually beneficial process that enhances both their growth and mine.

I agree about the importance of mentorship at all stages of career and life. I started mentoring high school level students through the ACE Mentor Program, which is a great organization. What advice would you give to aspiring architects or those trying to find their career path

Be comfortable with uncertainty. Architecture involves a lot of unknowns, and it’s important to accept that. Embrace unfamiliar tasks, whether it's a new phase of design or a different project type. The first building I personally saw built was a facility for squash courts. I have never played squash before in my life, but I learned everything there was to learn and now I can tell you the exact dimensions of a squash court. Going from drawing something on a computer to actually seeing it out in the field being constructed can be nerve-racking. But you have a team of support around you. No matter how much experience you have, architecture will always present new unknowns. You can still be confident and comfortable in your own skin and your own abilities while seeking new answers. The best way to tackle something new is, number one, work through the problem, and number two, ask questions. And number three, ask even more questions! Be bold and ambitious, do the work and ask questions along the way.