Professional Profile: Eric Holmquist 2019

Eric Holmquist

Name: Eric Holmquist

Title: Senior Project Architect

Company: SWBR

Location: Rochester, NY

Birthplace: Rochester, NY

Education: Bach of Arch, Syracuse University

First job outside of real estate: I picked corn before school for a local “gentleman” farmer when I was 14.

First job in real estate or allied field: I interned at Macon Chaintreuil Architects when I was a senior in high school

What do you do now and what are you planning for the future? I am currently a project architect in the education studio focusing on K thru 12 and plan on continuing in that capacity, although over the years I have worked on several other building types including performance venues, commercial offices, single family residential, multifamily residential and healthcare facilities…wherever I am needed.

How do you unwind from a busy day in real estate? I go home to my two kids. In addition to their multitude of after school activities, we’ve set up a silk screening studio in our basement and work on projects together. I make my own wine, and I am even planting grapes in my backyard next spring. I also have a fairly large record collection which I listen to as I unwind… with a glass of wine.

Favorite book or author: My reading has significantly diminished since the birth of my first child 15 years ago. Nevertheless my favorite authors are John Gardner & Tom Robbins but my favorite book is “A Prayer For Owen Meany” by John Irving.

Favorite movie: I don’t have one favorite…Harold and Maude, Princess Bride, The Big Lebowski, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Inside Moves, King of Hearts, Diner, This is Spinal Tap…

Last song you downloaded? The latest album from Elvis Costello

One word to describe your work environment: Friendly

Rules to live by in business: Be true to your clients. Listen, listen, listen. Don’t over-promise, be honest and provide quality design services that positively impact the user.

If you could invite one person to dinner (living or dead) who would it be and where would you go?:I would invite my wife, Lisa, out for dinner…anywhere with live music…because we do not get out nearly enough. 

What is your dream job? To be wealthy enough to be a design philanthropist. We would have a board representing business, urbanists, artists, the construction industry and community leaders who would target new projects that would help strengthen communities and or support existing projects that strive to enhance their community. We would work with the city, community groups and local business to engage the communities we are working in to foster collaboration, participation and ownership of the projects. I would personally design and build one projects each year and I would hire my architect friends to lead projects…Sharing the wealth, but more importantly, creating opportunities to spend more time together in our busy schedules.