Aren’t we supposed to dream? A plan is good and stable, but a dream can mean the whole world.
Dreams shape more than buildings; they redefine how we experience the world. For an architect, it’s not just about blueprints and measurements—it’s about a vision that turns aspirations into structures that stand the test of time.
Colson Bosman, sophomore architecture major, loved architecture as a child.
“From a young age, I have always liked architecture. As a kid, I drew floor plans of our house for fun. I designed buildings for fun. When playing Minecraft or Lego, I would hand-draw plans for everything beforehand,” Bosman said.
Bosman explained what he liked about architecture and why he continued pursuing it beyond childhood floor plans.
“I have always liked math, but I am also very creative. Therefore, meshing those two worlds is architecture,” he said.
Bosman’s parents worked in different fields than the one he was pursuing. His mother was a secretary at his high school, and his father worked as director of holding relations at Hume Lake. However, his father once aspired to be an architect.
His father chose not to pursue the field due to the years of schooling required and other factors. Still, he encouraged Bosman to study architecture. When Bosman was creating his designs as a kid, his father suggested, “You should be an architect.”
“He wanted to be an architect in high school… but [decided due to the amount of schooling], ‘I am not doing that.’ Now, he realizes that those eight years of school would have been worth it. I have that hindsight 20/20 from my dad. He saw the years as too daunting… I see the years as too daunting. I still have three years ahead of me, plus an internship and more. But once I am a 50-year-old dad, I am going to want to be an architect,” Bosman said.
Bosman did not want to carry the same regret his father had about his career. Because of this, he remained committed to his studies.
In a couple of years, Bosman hopes to work at an architecture firm.
“The idea would be to work for a newer firm… A lot of firms nowadays have teams that work on a project the whole way, and I would love to do that. I do not want to be the only drafting guy or the design guy,” Bosman said.
Bosman also said he did not want to create parking structures or strip malls. Instead, he wanted to design something with meaning.
“I would like to design custom homes or large public spaces like libraries—meaningful spaces where every aspect of the building is thought out and connects to the clients and its surroundings,” Bosman said.
Bosman wanted to build something for the people. He kept the client in mind throughout the creative process, ensuring the space would be appreciated and have significance.
Bosman still had years of hard work ahead, but his aspirations and his father’s encouragement would continue to motivate him. His drive to finish his education, become a licensed architect, and pursue his passion would shape whatever he ended up doing.
