Breaking Into Architecture: Carlo Corallo (Interview)

Breaking Into Architecture is a short series by Chaim Lieder, a recent job-seeking Bachelor’s graduate based in Melbourne. Chaim launched this initiative to re-frame his own challenges into an opportunity to help others in the same position.

Interview 4: Carlo Corallo

As Technical Director of Peddle Thorp Architects, Carlo has been responsible for the overall delivery of some of the office’s most complex and challenging projects. Carlo’s passion for Architecture, together with his attention to detailing and technical ability, further developed Peddle Thorp’s reputation in the industry, for excellence in project delivery.

What attracted you to a career in Architecture?

When I was seven years old, I started painting houses and building little cardboard models and it sort of progressed from there. When I finished school, I went straight into university to study Architecture. I always loved the idea of realizing dreams that I had, particularly about urban design elements, and visiting places like Italy, my parent’s home country, allowed me to see the beauty in developing spaces and places where people could enjoy. That to me was something very positive, and I wanted to get into a positive industry that created something beneficial for humanity.

What is the most rewarding part of a career in Architecture?

Architecture is creation, collaborative creation, and that’s incredibly rewarding.

Architecture is unique in the sense that what you design and build is a legacy to you. It stays there a lot longer than you do and maybe even your children do. It's something very permanent, and I always liked that idea.

Another rewarding aspect is when someone comes back to you and says, you know, I love the office, I love the apartment, I love what you've created with the neighbourhood etc. I have a friend who works with troubled teens and he has said to me many times how the quality of the environment creates the outcome for a lot of these kids. When you put it in those words, we have a very special responsibility, and that makes it emotionally rewarding.

How did you land your first job in the Architecture industry?

It was in the ’80s after I had completed my studies. Back then we didn’t have email, so I wrote hundreds of letters to local architecture firms on a typewriter and rarely did I get a response. After 10 months, I decided to try my luck with an employment agency. It turned out they had just filled a role at Yuncken Freeman, which was a preference for me. I remember feeling quite disappointed. That same night, they rang me up and offered me two weeks of work printing drawings at lo and behold, Yuncken Freeman. I jumped into that opportunity and started doing the printing. Then I started doing minor corrections on drawings, which led to more corrections on drawings. The two weeks became two months, the two months became six months, and the six months became four and a half years.

What advice would you give students & fresh graduates who are struggling to land a job?

Target your application: When you send your CV to the generic email of a firm, rarely will it get distributed. Generally, it goes to the receptionist and that’s where it stays, certainly in bigger firms. You've got to do your homework, find out whom the person to target is and send them your application directly, then follow up with a phone call.

Chase it until you exhaust it: You have got to keep on following up otherwise no one's going to review your application. People won’t come knocking on your door. This industry is filled with time-poor people who have deadlines to meet, the last thing they are doing is sifting through their inbox to chase previous applications.

Never underestimate where a job can take you: In my first job, after 5 years of studies, I was earning $6.30 an hour printing drawings. It seemed insignificant at the time, but it led me to greater opportunities. Never be discouraged with what you're given. If you're given an opportunity, take it and create a masterpiece of it.

Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your student/young graduate self?

I would say don't be afraid of anything because you can solve anything. Whether its finance, building or project management, what other people can do, as an architect you can do. I organized my own finance, got my builder's license and project manage my own jobs. But what architects can do, nobody else can do because it's the art of creation, and not everybody can create. Lastly, don't be afraid to jump into the deep end, that’s where you learn the most.

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