Dennis Patrick
Project Architect/Manager
HDR Architecture Inc.

Educational path
· Bachelors in Environmental Design
· Masters in Architecture

Special training for nanotechnology
I have been working with my firm for about 12 years. Our clients are primarily in healthcare and the highly technical science and technology fields. I practice architecture doing buildings that have a lot of equipment and a lot of mechanical and electrical needs, much more than the average building. We have designed many buildings designated for nanotechnology manufacturing or research. I have learned a lot about nanotechnology by constructing these buildings.

Tips/Advice to jumpstart a career in nanotechnology
Learn the fundamentals of the physical sciences, such as scientific measurement, temperature, and any general science concept. Mechanical and electrical engineering are a huge part of building for nanotechnology facilities. There are very few mechanical and electrical engineers that can design systems that are to the tolerances required for nanotechnology.

Why did you choose the field of nanotechnology?
It's a challenge and its exciting.

How did you first get into nanotechnology?
About 15 years ago, HDR's nationwide office (outside of Washington, D.C.) fought for the National Institute of standards testing. We won the job and have had that relationship ever since. One job leads to another since there are so few architectural companies that are able to build these kinds of buildings.

What is it like to work in nanotechnology?
Very calculated. Every design decision is carefully considered and the mechanical and electrical process design rules everything, even more so than the architecture. The equipment in them is sometimes worth 10 times more than the actual shell of the building.