Employee Spotlight: Carl Weaver, AIA
Carl Weaver joined NBA in 2019 after graduating from the University of Tennessee with a Professional Bachelor of Architecture degree. After exposure to a wide array of project types, including multifamily, student housing, hospitality, senior housing, and recreation, Carl has found his home as an emerging leader in the DYE| NBA Aviation studio.
Read more to see what led Carl to NBA and what he’s been up to since joining the firm…
What initially drew you to Architecture?
For as long as I can remember, I loved building things. I grew up on a farm with two other siblings where we built various forts. Even from a young age, I was always concerned about how mine looked and functioned. My dad, an engineer, let me use Autocad on his computer to draw buildings. I designed my future house in the 5th grade (not my best work) but was the first step that developed my passion for architecture. However, it wasn’t until college and starting in a different major that I realized architecture wouldn’t be just a passion but my career too.
Why did you choose NBA as your first job after graduating from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville?
Coming out of college, I always knew I wanted to work for a large firm, but I didn’t know what type of design I wanted to do. NBA stood out to me for having one primary office in Atlanta with a centralized staff that could provide the comradery, mentorship, and office culture I was looking for. With NBA being one of the highest ranked firms in multifamily design and the number of projects the office produces in a year, I thought this was a great opportunity for me to gain meaningful experience. Having all the resources we do in the same location has helped me immensely in growing as an architect.
Carl successfully passed his architectural exams and became a licensed architect in Georgia Jan. 2023.
What was your experience leading up to Niles Bolton Associates?
During college, I worked for Athletic Hospitality at the University of Tennessee. I was a suite ambassador for football and basketball events. It was a great job to have during school that let me network with a bunch of incredible people.
For my first architecture-related job, I interned over the summer at a company in Biloxi, MS. I had the opportunity to work on a school and aquarium, both of which were amazing projects.
I graduated school a semester later, moved to Atlanta and have been at NBA ever since. I’m grateful to be able to say I just hit 6 years here in January 2025.
NBAers Nick Parker (Landscape Architect), Carl Weaver, Mercer Dye (President, DYE|NBA Aviation) and Chris Fortner (Principal, Director of Landscape Architecture) at the 2023 Atlanta Charity Clays event.
What opportunities have you been given since joining the firm?
One of the things I love about this firm is that the opportunities are endless if you want to take them. I’ve had chances to represent NBA at aviation conferences, charity events, industry events, and many more. I am also actively involved with NBA’s internal Revit committee where our group is in charge of maintaining and excelling the firm in its Revit workflow.
What is the most important thing you have learned from your team?
There isn’t just one thing, the list is too long of all the things I’ve learned. Our aviation projects are so vast that we could never cover everything as an individual. Our team is constantly collaborating and building off one another. We’re always providing advice, critiques, support, and other helpful pieces to create the best design and outcome possible.
What is your favorite part of the design process?
I enjoy all the phases of design, but if had to pick just one, schematic design would be my favorite. I get to sketch a lot during this phase and many design decisions aren’t yet affected by schedule, budget, etc.. To me, it’s when creativity gets to flow and as a team, we come up with some really unique ideas.
What project are you most proud of?
I was able to design a custom corporate hangar around our client’s Airbus A320. The criteria unique to the owner’s specific needs made it a fun challenge. This was also one of my first projects to lead after joining the aviation studio, so it was a great feeling when the client complimented and spoke highly of our design.
What are some challenges you face in Architecture?
Architecture in general is a challenge that I love to work around every day. I like to think I’m constantly solving a different puzzle. Some days I have all the pieces and others I can’t seem to find the piece I’m looking for. For me, it keeps everything exciting and really pushes me to think in different ways day in and day out.
What has been your favorite thing about working at NBA?
The work environment is unmatched. While NBA is a large firm, the dynamic around the office feels like one big family. If I am ever uncertain about something, I have countless resources I can lean on to find the answer and move forward confidently in a project.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
I really enjoy doing anything that doesn’t involve a screen. I’m a very extroverted person, so my hobbies tend to be centered around spending time with others. I love to be outdoors hunting, playing soccer, or spending time with my wife and dogs.
What is a valuable lesson you have learned while being at NBA?
Take your time and think outside of the box. Architecture is never a point A to point B workflow. We have the opportunity as designers to create impactful environments for people. In my experience, some of my favorite designs were not done on the first iteration.
Based on your experience, how did you get to this position and what would you encourage others to do as well?
Work hard and don’t be afraid to ask questions. I am a firm believer that there are no dumb questions. I started at NBA working primarily on multifamily projects and transferred into aviation which has very little overlap with each other. Between listening to my peers and spending many hours learning aviation standards, I have been able to grow and am now leading projects in the aviation studio.
Interested in starting your career at NBA like Carl? Check out our careers page for more information.