When decided to apply to a K-12 Architectural firm; that decision helped me define who I want to be as an architect. An Architect, to me, means more than just designing a building; it’s been to redesign the way our communities interact. Education is at the core of that re-design. We learn, we ask questions, and from those questions spark new ideas and through those new ideas our society evolves. The architecture of educational facilities therefore is one that should be ever evolving.
As the architectural profession starts moving towards more all-inclusive design processes, where the lines between schematic design and design development begin to blur, our ability to communicate big ideas and innovative solutions becomes more and more critical. By participating in this Fall’s CAE Conference with ED Spaces, I hope to learn from what others are doing in the industry and ask questions about how they achieved their design intent. I hope to spark new ideas within myself and how to better articulate those ideas to others. I hope to evolve as a better architect / designed and encourage other young professionals to ask more questions, think of new ideas and contribute to the evolution of educational design.
I started working at ARCON Associates 3 years ago, as an Architectural Team Member I have the ability to work on multiple projects for various school districts in the Chicagoland area and the surrounding suburbs. I graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 2011 with a Professional Bachelor’s degree in Architecture. In 2013, I graduated from the University of Washington with a Masters in Infrastructure Planning and Management. Prior to joining ARCON Associates, I worked at a small architecture firm in Brooklyn, New York that specializes in Healthcare Facilities.
I am a born and raised New Yorker, who has found herself happily settled in the Midwest. Outside of architecture I enjoy cooking for family and friends, going to the driving range, reading a good book, trying new craft beers, participating in fantasy football with my co-workers and I have recently completed my first homemade quilt.
What I enjoy the most about architecture is that it is in a state of constant flux. No two projects, while they may be similar is size and scope, are the same. It is a constant exercise of problem solving, allowing the collaboration of logic, intuition and creativity. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.