Five Questions With: Jimm Sansabrino

July 29, 2022

Jimm Sansabrino wide headshot

At ChangeUp, we’re inspired daily by the people we work with. This led us to launch “Five Questions With” – a monthly series that spotlights a different employee, asking them five questions that we hope sparks some inspiration in you too. Next up, get to know our Associate Director of Architecture, Jimm Sansabrino.

What are you currently reading or listening to?

I constantly listen to podcasts on various subjects, from politics to design to wrestling to comedy. There are so many things I want to listen to that I’ll literally play shows on double speed! One of my favorite podcasts is 99% Invisible hosted by Roman Mars, whose voice is like audio butter. His show deals with the design that we may have stopped noticing in the world. For instance, my favorite episode covers the history of the shopping mall.

What do you enjoy most about being a project manager on the architecture team?

I occupy a unique position in our department that gives me a lot of gratification. I basically take the visions of our design team and help turn them into something buildable for our clients. I love that I’ve been able to work with automotive clients like Honda, Kia, and Nissan, while also getting to partner with brands like Panera. The variety of my role and our clients always keeps things interesting.

What are the biggest changes you’ve seen in the industry over the years?

Obviously technology has changed the industry in many ways, particularly when it comes to introducing new materials and methods of building. However, the biggest changes I have seen have been in the office work. We used to expend dozens and dozens of linear feet of shelf space to store projects on 3.5” floppy discs. One project could take up to 30+ discs. Now, with servers and cloud storage, it’s safe to say things are a lot more efficient!

What are you most passionate about outside of work?

The pastime I enjoy most is professional wrestling, which I’ve loved since I was a kid. It was shocking to see on TV Saturday mornings as a child, and as I got older it was the promos that usually drew me in. People who don’t watch will use the dreaded F-word (Fake) to describe it. But pro wrestling isn’t fake; it’s choreographed like a ballet. It’s a real art form, and the performers that are able to hold a crowd in their hands with their words and actions are so talented.

What excites you most about the work we do at ChangeUp?

I really enjoy working with our talented designers on everything from new prototypes to renovations. I’m most excited when I get to see their innovative designs and then collaborate on how to make their ideas something tangible. They regularly challenge me too with state-of-the-art materials and new uses of them.