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    HomeExplore the Capitol CampusOur Blog
The Path to Becoming an Architect

By rebecca chillrud |February 22, 2022
        
                  Image
    Portrait of Architect of the Capitol employee Arthur Logan.

Arthur Logan was working as an electrician helper in 2005 when a coworker told him, "You're in the wrong field. You need to be an architect."

"When I became an electrician helper, I started seeing how buildings were actually going up. And I was playing a part in that," says Logan. He decided architecture was something he wanted to seriously pursue and made a plan to go to school during the day and work at night to accomplish his goal.

With that plan in mind, Logan started working at the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) as a night custodian in 2010 and began attending Howard University to study architecture in 2011. "I participated in the student loan repayment program that we have here at the Architect of the Capitol, so that helped with my schooling," he says.

Logan says that his mentors at the AOC were always very supportive of his career ambitions and his education. When he graduated from Howard in 2017 with an architectural degree, he was able to take on a detail position with the AOC's Energy and Design Services Division. "The whole front office and engineering department took me under their wing, and each one of them gave me different nuggets of encouragement and knowledge," says Logan. "They helped me proceed to where I'm at now."

During his detail, Logan successfully applied for an open junior architect position in the Senate Office Buildings. "When the opportunity came up over on the Senate side, I jumped on it."

Logan's favorite aspect of his current role is preserving history. "Looking at it from a historic standpoint — the beauty of the buildings we have over here at the Senate, and keeping that history alive and maintaining it, I think that’s one of the most beautiful things of my job. And I'm helping to solve problems. That's what makes this job so exciting."

He also enjoys being able to work in a collaborative role where he's always learning. "I'm working with every trade in the building, because mostly every project needs someone's hand in it. And luckily, we have some of the best men and women here to give insight," says Logan. "I'm able to manage that project a little better by getting their insight from the beginning."

Having a strong support system, both at work and at home, has been key for Logan's career. "I've encountered some great individuals all the way through my path. I'm a firm believer that you constantly learn, you never stop learning and you take every bit of information that someone gives you."

"Toward my last year at Howard, I met my now-wife, and she really pushed me over the hump." He also values the support of his supervisor, Bonnie Holod. "Bonnie pushes me, she steers me in the right direction, and I can go to her about anything," he says. "She's definitely helped me along this journey, and I have to take my hat off to her, because she is the reason why I can continue to do projects and succeed, because of her guidance and mentorship."

Juggling education and work posed a challenge at times, but Logan says the end result was worth it. "I definitely lost a lot of sleep. On my desk at school, I had a note that I wrote to myself saying that the reward is greater than the struggle. So, whenever I felt like I couldn’t make it, I would always look back at that note," he says.

"It was a hard journey, but in life to be successful, nothing is easy. And you have to walk that tough path to get where you want to be. It's not just you, you have to pick up pieces along the way from different mentors, different people that you encounter, to get where you need to be. I think that's one of the reasons why I’m here at this point today."
Comments
    
  
    
Brian Carroll (not verified)PermalinkFebruary 22, 2022 - 10:29amWhat an amazing story and accomplishment!!!!
ReplyIda Campbell (not verified)PermalinkFebruary 24, 2022 - 7:53am

              In reply to What an amazing story and... by Brian Carroll (not verified)I love love this story, I am so very proud of this gentlemen architect and his accomplishments! He made sure his dream came true!
I love this story mainly because I myself love design and architecture, the thought process to drawing on paper to the full blown project being completed. Years ago when my deceased husband was living I was in real estate, he was a building inspector in gorgeous Prince Georges County then the market crashed, I subsequently became a kitchen and bath designer for some of the Big Box Stores and expanded design into interiors and would sell the entire project through the store.
I would visualize projects coming out of the ground. My deceased husband would sit down and draw up home improvement projects by hand for others and I enjoyed watching that process. Subsequently, I got my associates degree in Auto-Cad and Revit, then the college closed down.
I didn't want to lose that skill so I would take part-time projects that involved these skills.  Then 2 years later I applied to the AOC as a custodial laborer in hopes of rising through the ranks, to accomplish the same goals as this wonderful architect!  I hope to follow this architects footsteps and other architects and civil engineers of the AOC, a great place to see your vision come true.  Great story so much encouragement for folks like me.
ReplyB. Brown (not verified)PermalinkJanuary 4, 2024 - 12:05pm

              In reply to What an amazing story and... by Brian Carroll (not verified)Awesome article and perfect individual to highlight! It has been a pleasure working with Arthur. His expertise and knowledge are unmatched! A true professional.
Reply  
Bill Wood (not verified)PermalinkFebruary 22, 2022 - 10:33amGreat story, the AoC has always supported career advancement and  provided opportunities for those that seek them out! Fantastic work Arthur!
ReplyDebra Friedmann (not verified)PermalinkFebruary 22, 2022 - 10:51amArthur Logan! Hats off to you! Thank you for sharing your story of hard work, determination and success! Ad Astra!
ReplyGregory Permenter (not verified)PermalinkFebruary 22, 2022 - 12:21pmCongratulations on your success my friend, we worked side-by-side many nights we shared the struggle. You're the best!!
ReplyLaura Cameron (not verified)PermalinkFebruary 22, 2022 - 2:59pmWhat a great story!  Congratulations!  It is hard to have a vision and work towards it.
ReplyMichelle Chin (not verified)PermalinkFebruary 23, 2022 - 8:53amCongratulations fellow Bison!
ReplyChristopher J ... (not verified)PermalinkFebruary 23, 2022 - 9:21amCongratulation on your accomplishments, I know it was something special about you,  now I know. You Inspired me, NO more procrastinating for me.
ReplyJoel White (not verified)PermalinkFebruary 23, 2022 - 9:32amThis is a great story congratulations!
ReplyGia Stancell (not verified)PermalinkFebruary 23, 2022 - 10:05amCongratulations!  This is such an inspiring story.  Thank you for sharing!
ReplyBarron Dill (not verified)PermalinkFebruary 23, 2022 - 10:28amThat is awesome and I hope your story is an inspiration to many others.
ReplyRobin Ingram (not verified)PermalinkFebruary 23, 2022 - 11:36amArthur,
Your hard work is paying dividends now. Congratulation on all your school and career successes and best wishes on your future endeavors.
Robin
ReplySavannah Smith (not verified)PermalinkFebruary 23, 2022 - 2:46pmAmazing story and amazing person!
ReplyRiff Lanier (not verified)PermalinkFebruary 23, 2022 - 2:56pmWhat an inspiring story.  You should consider mentorship so that other young men can be inspired by your success!!  Congratulations!!
ReplyJohnathan Wells (not verified)PermalinkFebruary 24, 2022 - 1:39amThis is a awesome story, Congrats keep moving FORWARD.
ReplyGregory Ebron (not verified)PermalinkFebruary 24, 2022 - 6:23amThat's an awesome story, it's really inspiring to know you can do anything you set your mind to. Congratulations!
ReplyKimberly Patty (not verified)PermalinkFebruary 24, 2022 - 7:51amYour story is so inspiring.  Congratulations to you!  Such an awesome journey here at the AOC.
ReplyMarsha Delois Gantt (not verified)PermalinkFebruary 24, 2022 - 8:25amCongratulations to you!  What a great story and encouragement for me!! It has inspired me to stop procrastinating and get started on my journey to my longtime passion!!!! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyJames Atkins (not verified)PermalinkFebruary 25, 2022 - 4:28amOne of the senates finest employee  a wonderful asset to the A.O.C.
ReplyMatt Duller (not verified)PermalinkFebruary 25, 2022 - 7:12amYou do have a great story Art... Your a great team player and asset to the team. Keep up the good work and continue to inspire!
ReplySusan Adams (not verified)PermalinkFebruary 28, 2022 - 6:56pmYou are an inspiration. Hats off to you and those that helped guide your path.
ReplyOliver Rojas (not verified)PermalinkMarch 7, 2022 - 11:43pmThanks for sharing your personal story and professional achievement.
ReplyKeith Adams (not verified)PermalinkMarch 8, 2022 - 10:56amCongratulations and continued success, Arthur! Stay hungry for knowledge and keep striving for more.
ReplyAlfredo E. Rivas (not verified)PermalinkApril 13, 2022 - 9:15amAs a student architect I can relate to this story. It is amazing to see how Mr. Logan persevered to accomplish his dreams. His story is an inspiration to me and I am sure to many others. Looks like the AOC is a great place to work, where you are part of a community of public servants making a difference in the world. I have recently applied to a position as an Architect Summer Intern and hope to one day work and learn from AOC's finest such as Mr. Arthur Logan.
ReplyJohn L. Schack... (not verified)PermalinkFebruary 14, 2023 - 10:54amI am now an architect emeritus in New Orleans. I graduated from Tulane School of Architecture with my wife and 10-year-old daughter at my side. I practiced for over forty years primarily in the field of historic preservation. I would give up my retirement to have one day as an Architect of the Capitol which is the most important group for historic preservation architecture and conservation in our country. Please continue to share your special knowledge.
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