Design Architect
Helen Jadlowski is deeply rooted in architectural design. She relates her design process to a game of chess with careful strategic moves across a site. As a design architect at SFCS Architects, she works in the early stage of design, focusing on scope and feasibility. Following graduation from Virginia Tech in 2011, she started a position in New Jersey, designing residential architecture. After working for two firms while based in New Jersey, Helen then moved back to Virginia continuing her focus in high-end residential architecture. As a result of this move, Helen sparked an interest in design for aging condominiums and subsequently joined her current firm, SFCS Architects at their Roanoke, Virginia office.
Helen expressed, being a mother working in the industry can be a challenge. Travel demands and narrow timelines can challenge the obligations and joys of motherhood. While her son was just two years old, she began studying for her registration exams. Two and a half years later, Helen completed those exams and became a registered architect. She shared that it took longer than expected and there was a delicate balance between parenting and finding time to study.
Though her journey has not been without its hurdles, her hard work has resulted in a career as a thriving design architect. Her passion lies in the wide range of project types for independent living, including, renovations, new site development, multi-purpose buildings, and more. Most recently, she is excited about her work for Arbor Acres United Methodist Retirement Community in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Author:
Megan Crites, Senior Associate, MKM architecture + design
AIA DFA Communications Committee member
Part of the Design for Aging Knowledge Community – Women in Architecture Series
What is Design for Aging? And who is designing these spaces? The AIA Design for Aging Knowledge Community shares knowledge in the design community aimed at improving the built environment for those in our society who are aging. That’s the short answer; a lot more research and practice goes into improving the spaces we design. And who is designing these spaces? Over the years, the architecture profession has been male-dominated. However, that fabric is changing. Female architects have been growing in numbers across the board, from technical designers, project managers, project architects, design architects, studio leaders, and business owners.
How does this growth in female design professionals reflect in senior living and care environments? The fabric is also changing in their industry. More females are Executive Directors, CEO’s, COO’s, and CFO’s of senior living campuses and care communities. The impact of this shift creates a transformation in dialogue and who’s voice is being heard.
So, the question came up, how can we highlight the growing voices of female architects who are focusing on Design for Aging? Interviews, for a start, and writing articles that highlight the architects and their work.
Several questions were posed to female architects across the United States. Where did you grow up? Where did you go to college? What does your career path look like? How or when did you start designing spaces for aging? What are you the most excited about in the work you are doing? What are you losing sleep over? What advise do you have for other female architects? And so on.
The experiences and conversations varied from interview to interview. Which is an important piece of the narrative for every Architect to hear. There were also some common threads that should not be ignored. What is our industry doing right? What do we need to stop doing? And more over, how can architects continue to positively impact Design for Aging?