The Studio Principal of Retail for Little names the band he cannot take off his playlist, the lessons learned from the past few years and the advice he would give to his younger self.

What’s the most cherished item in your office?

During COVID, I removed most of the personal items I had, i.e., photos, notes, etc., that would have normally taken this spot. But since being back in the office environment regularly over the past couple of years, I’ve grown fond of a few ferns that I work to keep alive from week to week. And I enjoy my Rubik’s cube.

What’s your favorite time to get things done?

Depends on what types of things I’m trying to get done. If you’re talking contracts/proposals/management type stuff, I prefer the mornings. If you’re talking architecture and design, I prefer later in the evenings/night. If you’re talking a round of golf, I like to be the first on the course.

What’s the soundtrack that plays in the background of your office?

“Highway to the Danger Zone” was the first song that came to mind—high energy with a motivational spirit.

Name the band you cannot take off your playlist.

Fleetwood Mac. There’s a timelessness to their music that always finds its way into my rotation. But like a lot of people, I enjoy a wide range of music.

What does a typical workday look like?

One of the things I have enjoyed the most over the years in practicing architecture is that there really is not a typical day. Of course, I have planned items to tackle each day along with meetings, but every day there is something unexpected that pops up, which I enjoy.

What’s the craziest thing that has ever happened on a jobsite?

Everyone has heard about New York City and the size of their rats, but you don’t know what they mean until you see them for yourself. During the due diligence phase for a client, we visited a vacant retail space on Lexington Avenue. When we were walking down into the cellar space, we heard some rumblings.

Initially, we thought maybe someone homeless had taken up residence there. Flip on the lights and a clan of Chihuahua-sized rats all started racing to squeeze their way through a crack in the floor slab. Maybe not that crazy, but it was definitely unexpected.

What are you binge watching right now?

Just wrapped up the second season of “The Bear.”

What’s the coolest thing you’ve done since the pandemic hit?

Built my own home office desk along with a few other pieces of furniture.

What has this experience taught you?

There is incredible value in seeing and understanding things from someone else’s perspective. “What’s in it for the other guy” is a known piece of mind, established by our company’s founder, Bill Little, that still rings true today with me.

If you knew what was going to happen, what would you have done differently?

Wow. I have no idea where to even begin with this one. There are so many things, but I wouldn’t give up anything if I had to lose what I have today.

Favorite comfort food.

Without question, mac & cheese.

Best advice you ever received?

Leave it better than you found it.

Biggest influence in your life?

My mom, no doubt.

What trait do you most admire?

Empathy.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Another tough one. Try your hardest to take your time and enjoy the moment because time is going to fly.

What’s the first thing you are going to do when you are able to get back to some sense of normalcy?

I think we’re there already so one of the first things I did was get back into the office. With what we do, day in and day out, there’s no communication tool or computer program that can replace sporadic, natural collaboration that an office environment promotes.