Meet the Team: Principal and Co-Founder Peter Spera III
GOAT’s “Meet the Team” blog series has each team member answer the same questions to find out more about them personally and professionally. Next up in the series is Peter Spera III, Co-Founder and Principal of the company.
Peter is a licensed architect and President of the New Orleans Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). He has been practicing in New Orleans for over a decade and brings with him extensive experience in commercial hospitality, restaurant and retail design, and large project management.
As a New Orleans native, Peter attended Jesuit High School and Louisiana State University and is deeply embedded in the South Louisiana community. He is the Chairman of the Gretna Historic District Commission and serves as a Mardi Gras Float Lieutenant in the Krewe of Thoth. He’s also the pit master on his Hogs for the Cause team, Piggy Stardust.
Here’s how he answered the questions:
Who is your favorite architect and/or designer?
Eero Saarinen. A project in one of my photography classes in college was to find your favorite photographer. I discovered Ezra Stoller, he was the photographer for some of the most well-known Modernist Architects. His photography of Eero Saarinen’s projects spoke to me in a way I never experienced. I’ve visited many of Saarinen’s buildings, and they are all masterpieces, but the TWA terminal is my favorite.
What would be your dream project?
A winery tasting room. Growing up in the flat landscape of NOLA, I’m always in awe of buildings in topography. I’ve visited several wineries with contemporary tasting rooms in California and Oregon and the beauty of a contemporary building set in the rows of grape vines is incredible, I can’t think of a better project type. I hear there’s a prominent Pelican’s player who owns a vineyard; hey @3jmccollum let’s start designing your tasting room.
What design trend do you hope makes a comeback?
Sunken Dens. No explanation needed.
What topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with no preparation?
Restoring and weather-stripping historic wood windows. In 2015 my wife and I purchased a 1920s craftsman style home that has 51 windows. We restored all of them and then spent the last few years going back through perfecting the weather stripping.
What is your favorite local hangout?
All because it’s carnival time…my favorite hangout is the neutral ground on St. Charles Avenue. Ten days a year I know I can show up and see all my friends and their families enjoying parades, it’s my favorite time of the year.
If someone were visiting the city for the first time, what neighborhood would you take them to first and why?
Marigny. The entire neighborhood reflects what’s great about New Orleans, beautiful architecture, walkability, entertainment, and food. It also has one of my favorite restaurants, Paladar 511.
What’s your favorite hobby right now? What hobby have you always wanted to take up?
Traveling. One of my professors in college always told us that you can’t be a great architect if you don’t travel, you have to get out and see the world. I visited 4 new cites last year; Miami, Pittsburgh, Portland, and Seattle and hope to see more this year. #everytripisanarchitecturetrip
What’s your most used emoji?
😂
Bonus: What is your role at GOAT?
The GOAT website says I’m the “voice of reason” which was a tongue in cheek reaction to Colin’s "intransigent idealist" moniker but it’s true. In addition to the architecture and design roles I also manage the day-to-day finances and operations of GOAT while also constantly asking everyone at GOAT to volunteer for AIA activities 😂. See question above 😂
