Dylan Hursley is a fourth-year architecture student who has spent the spring 2016 semester studying in Rome.

By Lauren Randall

Dylan Hursley is a fourth-year architecture student from Little Rock. He is currently studying abroad in Rome learning about the urban design and layout of the city.

When did you become interested in architecture and why?

I was always interested in architecture, as my father is an architectural photographer so I had plenty of exposure to architecture at an early age. I was originally a physics major but something seemed lacking. So architecture was a good fit.

Why did you choose the University of Arkansas? What makes this program unique?

I chose the U of A because it’s only three hours away from Little Rock, and it’s the best school in the state. I really enjoy the beauty of the campus.

What has been one of the most interesting projects you have worked on?

The most interesting project I’ve worked on would have to be a school for the blind located on the High Line in New York. It was challenging to think of the difficulties someone without sight would have navigating a building.

What kind of work are you doing in Rome? What has been your favorite part of the program?

We’ve been working on learning about the urban design and layout of Rome and applying those strategies to a master plan of the Foro Italico. From there, we’ve each taken a part of the site to design individual proposals. My favorite part of Rome is going out and drawing the city. I’d like to say that I’ve gotten a lot better at hand drawing and understanding the organization of places and spaces.

What have you learned from your study abroad experience? Why did you decide to go abroad?

I’ve learned a lot about how a city develops and grows, but also how important it is to understand the way people interact with spaces. The Fay Jones School requires a semester of study abroad in either Rome or in Mexico, but if I had a reason other than that, I’d have to say that it’s to see where architecture started. There are so many great examples of typology and precedents here in Rome.

What has been the most rewarding part of being an architecture student?

I’m always happiest when I’m in the middle of working out a problem and the solution suddenly clicks. Then you keep working it and working it until it’s just right.

How do you handle the pressure of the architecture program?

It’s definitely a program that you have to love. I don’t think I would be able to handle the pressure if I didn’t truly enjoy what I’m doing. I’d have to say that unwinding after a long day of studio is essential though.

What is the one thing you want people to know about architecture majors?

Sorry for only wanting to talk about architecture.

What are your plans after graduation? What would be your dream job?

I’d really love to move to a big city. That’s all I know for now.