If professional practice is TBA's reason for being, and research is the core of the office’s work, then teaching is certainly its heart. The practice draws energy and inspiration from the time spent working with students. And teaching young architects helps return the favor of the countless hours that formed us. The practical concerns of running a practice are balanced by teaching's heavy involvement with ideas, discussion, and debate. And for a practice built on exploration and experimentation, the time spent in the university is essential. Working alongside some of the world's best architects and thinkers at IIT adds immeasurably to the firm's collective knowledge.