February 20, 2019

Meet Ashton Quintin Jr., Associate AIA, Featured in the AIA New Jersey Black History Spotlight

I enjoy mentoring the next generation. I have friends in Newark Public Schools who let me visit the elementary and high schools to speak. My goal is to educate them about architecture and how cool it is to be an architect. I tell them how a person that grew up in similar neighborhoods to them can become an architect.

I was born in Guyana, South America, moved to the United States at the age of two and grew up in Paterson, NJ. Architecture was not a profession of familiarity where I grew up. I was briefly exposed to architecture in the third grade from a light conversation with a teacher and my interest latched on. It was a career I could do that left a tangible mark in communities for years without the heavy notoriety. My path started from taking drafting courses in high school, to completing by Bachelor of Architecture degree at NJIT in Newark, NJ.

In my experience, I started out in a small firm where the architect had direct influence over my work and development. That was very intense and impactful. Then I moved on to a much larger firm and was exposed to great variety. I have also worked in a corporate setting as a store design manager. The combination of these experiences gave me a strong background to prepare me for a flexible future.

  The Nyack Boat Club New Deck and Restoration – Post Hurricane Sandy, Nyack, NY 

The Nyack Boat Club New Deck and Restoration – Post Hurricane Sandy, Nyack, NY

One of the ways I use my professional knowledge and talent is to assist people who may not have the money or knowledge to get the help they need for their home. For example, I may be introduced to a family that is getting building department violations or being scammed by a fraudulent contractor and do not know what to do to get out of the situation. I will assist them by reviewing the situation and advising them on steps they can take to resolve the issues or speaking on their behalf if they don’t understand what to do. It is very rewarding to me and certainly is appreciated by those I can assist.

Pascack Reformed Church – Masonry Tower Restoration, Park Ridge, NJ

I have two more sections of the ARE to finish on my path to licensure. My goals include continuing to work to help others secure their homes and communities and to seek additional opportunities to teach and guide the next generation of architects in the children around me.

Project photos used with permission from Laurence E. Parisi, PC Architect. Other photos used with permission from Ashton Quintin, Jr. Associate AIA

By Stacey Ruhle Kliesch, AIA, AIA NJ Advocacy Consultant | Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: #AIA, #AIANational, #AIANJ, #Architecture, #AshtonQuintinJrAssociateAIA, #BlackHistoryMonth, #diversity, #equity, #Inclusion, #LaurenceEParsisAIA, Architect, BHM | Comments (0)