Alumni Highlight: Ulrich Paar '89

Ulrich Paar’s time in Cowgill Hall began 33 years ago, in the fall of 1986, as a Fulbright scholar after completing his undergraduate degree in architecture in Germany. His two years in Cowgill Hall and his thesis year at the Washington Alexandria Architecture Center (WAAC) laid the foundation for his professional life. The vibrant Blacksburg community and the freedom to pursue architecture through printing, metalworking, photography, and furniture design provided a solid base for his career. “Make a beautiful drawing” rings in his ears, and he still enjoys sketching, drawing, and woodworking today.

He experimented with the finest pencil drawings, white gouache on vellum, and large-scale pencil and watercolor works on handmade paper during his thesis year at the WAAC. For his thesis book, "ARCHITECTURE: A SEARCH FOR PERMANENCE,” he explored the aquatint technique. This method involves exposing zinc or copper plates to acid through a layer of molten granular resin, allowing the finished prints to resemble watercolor or gouache. The main advantage of this technique over intaglio is that it enables halftones or infinite gradations of the same color. Plates are covered with an even layer of resin dust that adheres to the plate by melting, creating a miniature texture of exposed and unexposed metal surfaces. An etching process then engraves this texture into the metal, forming the basis for the printing process. 

Following graduation, he spent his professional career in Germany, where he was licensed under the Bavarian Chamber of Architects. He opened his own practice in 2000 in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's foremost product and densely populated area. He worked on various projects, including pharmaceutical production buildings, churches, office buildings, drugstores, and furniture. Most notably, he contributed to the German architecture award-winning chapel for Nordham Abbey, the new Munich airport, and an underground station at the Munich Trade Fair Centre.

As Ulrich prepares to retire from practicing at the end of this year, he expresses his gratitude to Virginia Tech, his lovely wife Gema, and their daughter for their support.