We recently spoke with alumnus Brian Krause ‘01 about his experience as a Virginia Tech undergraduate architecture student. Krause is the founder and Managing Director of Coda, a digital advisory service that harnesses data and expertise to improve building experiences and outcomes by helping to avoid and mitigate risks.

How did your VT architecture education prepare you for the professional world?

"Virginia Tech played an enormous role in shaping not just my career, but who I am as a person today. It helped shape the way I think. The school of Architecture taught me to appreciate the details of good design and understand their significance in the built environment. There is an energy and sense of community that every Hokie possesses that is a big part of who I am today."

What is your favorite memory from undergrad?

"So many great memories – early 2000s Hokies football, crossing the drillfield each day, the camaraderie of late nights in Architecture lab, and the fun times spent with friends. Honestly, one memory stands out vividly: after an all-nighter in the Architecture lab, Professor Gene Egger picked up what I believed to be the perfect chipboard model, flipped it upside down, tore off the bottom, and simply said, “Look, now it’s better.” This moment of brutal honesty, paired with his unique sense of humor, really motivated me to view things from different perspectives and instilled a relentless drive for improvement each and every day."