Omaha, NE – If you spend even a few minutes talking with Curt Field, you’ll quickly realize something. He doesn’t just see buildings. He sees experiences.

“I always wanted as a kid to be in fine art of some kind,” said Field.

That creative instinct never really went away.  It just found a different outlet.

Today, as a Senior Architect, Curt brings more than 40 years of experience to his work. But his path into architecture wasn’t exactly straightforward. Like a lot of people, it took some trial and error, a few pivots, and a willingness to figure things out along the way.

Finding the Right Fit

Curt didn’t originally set out to be an architect. In fact, he thought it might be out of reach.

“I was never gifted in math,” he admitted.

Instead of letting that stop him, he worked at it. Over time, he found that architecture gave him something fine art couldn’t on its own. It offered a mix of creativity and technical thinking that just clicked.

“It was a little more technical than the fine art that I had been involved with and that suited me better,” he said.

Redefining Creativity

One of the biggest mindset shifts for Curt came early on. In fine art, the goal is often to create something completely new, something that has never been seen before. Architecture works a little differently.

“If you were looking for pure creativity, oftentimes an architectural design may only be a small increment more than the last guy’s work”, he explained.

At first, that was a tough adjustment. But over time, he started to see the opportunity in it.

Instead of chasing bold, one-of-a-kind design statements, he focused on more subtle and, in a lot of ways, more meaningful and functional design aspects.

“You look for more ways to kind of uplift the human experience.”

Designing for People, Even When They Don’t Notice

Not every project is flashy and not every building type lends itself to big design moments, but that does not mean good design does not matter.

“I think good architecture really has the potential to make an extraordinary impact on a person’s behavior. As a user, you might, on occasion, be too preoccupied to notice it,” he said.

It might be a workspace that feels just a little more comfortable ,or a layout that makes someone’s day easier.  Maybe it’s just a space that simply works better than expected.

Most people won’t walk in and think too deeply about the design, but they’ll feel the difference.

Working Within Constraints

Of course, great design does not happen in a vacuum. Budgets are real, materials are limited, and timelines matter. That ‘s where the challenge and the creativity come in.

“You have to figure out how you do that with ordinary, cost-effective materials.”

For Curt, that is part of what makes the work interesting. It is not about having unlimited resources. It is about making the most of what you have and finding ways to push things just a little further.

What Still Inspires Him

Ask Curt about his dream project, and his answer is not a massive public building, or a landmark structure. It’s actually something more personal.

“I would say almost, hands down, a single-family home can be where somebody really gives you license to figure it all out,” he said.

A space that is completely tailored to the people who live there. Something unique that reflects who they are.

Never Quite Finished

After more than 40 years, you might expect someone to feel like they have seen it all. Curt does not see it that way.

“If I’m not happy with it, I’m not done,” he said.

There is always something to tweak or something that could be just a little better. That process and mindset has followed him from fine art into architecture and through every stage of his career, and personal life.

He’s always looking for a way to improve what’ he can impact in front of him. He may not always call it “art”, but he’s still treating every space like it is.

SCHEMMER – DESIGN WITH PURPOSE. BUILD WITH CONFIDENCE.

At Schemmer, we believe that great design goes beyond structures; it strengthens communities. As a full-service architecture, engineering, and construction field services consultant, we deliver innovative solutions that enhance the built environment and improve lives.

Since 1959, we have been shaping the future while honoring our legacy. With nine offices across six states in the Midwest, our expertise reaches coast-to-coast, bringing thoughtful, sustainable, and impactful solutions to every project.

Our Comprehensive Services:

• Architecture
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At Schemmer, we don’t just design, we create lasting impact. Let’s design a better future together.

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