The bright future of architecture's rising stars

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aia.org\/resources\/6598456-2023-young-architects","target","_blank"]],["b"],["strong"]],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Each year "],[0,[0],1,"AIA\u0027s Young Architect Award"],[0,[],0," is presented to a group of early career architects who showcase exceptional leadership and have already provided significant contributions to the architecture profession. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"We spoke with six recent recipients about what drew them to architecture, the most fulfilling aspect of being an architect, their dream project, and more. Stay tuned for a second part with more Young Architect Award winners in the future. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"What first drew you to architecture?"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"Shannon Gathings, AIA, Duvall Decker Architects, P.A"],[0,[],0,".: At a high school summer design camp, I had the\nrealization that every space I experienced was designed by someone. All of these spaces shaped my life in so many\nways, it made me curious, why couldn\u0027t I be the person who decides what form\nand space should be?"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"Jason Takeuchi AIA, Ferraro Choi and Associates, Ltd."],[0,[],0,": For a high school essay on what I want to be when\nI grow up, my mom suggested that I look at architecture. From there, I realized\nthat playing with Legos and sketching throughout my childhood was worth it, and\nI never looked back."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"Kate Thuesen, AIA, DLR Group"],[0,[],0,": My grandfather, Chuck, a small-town carpenter and\narchitect who I revered growing up. His integrity, creativity, kindness, and\nprolific work inspired me."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"Chris Haedt, AIA, DesignGroup"],[0,[],0,": Ever since I was four, I\u0027ve known that I\nwanted to be an architect. I would spend hours building cities with Legos,\nwhich helped me develop a strong sense of spatial relationships. This early\npassion for creating structures led me to pursue a career in architecture,\nwhere I strive to design healing environments that benefit people\u0027s well-being."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"Stephanie Vito, AIA, CannonDesign"],[0,[],0,": I first became interested after taking an Intro to\nCAD class in high school where we copied suburban homes from a magazine. Turns\nout architecture school and the profession are nothing like that. Glad I stuck\nwith it! "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"Caroline Shannon AIA, Gensler"],[0,[],0,": Architecture allowed me to bring together my\ninterests in art and science to improve people\u2019s lives. I love being able to\napply myself creatively and work collaboratively to deliver on complex\nchallenges."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"What is the most fulfilling aspect of being an architect?"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"Gathings"],[0,[],0,": It is so great to see the positive impact of\nyour efforts where you are, and the shared experience of bringing an idea to\nreality is truly meaningful."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"Takeuchi"],[0,[],0,": The social aspect. This happens both through\nsustaining our community\u2019s livelihoods through built environments and through\nthe mentorship, volunteerism, and social responsibility that\u2019s embedded into\nthe profession today."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"Thuesen"],[0,[],0,": Bringing a vision into reality and helping clients\nsolve complex challenges that improves their lives."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"Haedt"],[0,[],0,": The most fulfilling aspect of being an architect is\nthe daily opportunity to apply ingenuity and problem-solving skills to the act\nof creation. As an architect, I have the unique ability to shape the physical\nworld. It\u0027s incredibly rewarding to see my ideas come to life to benefit\nothers. The ability to merge creativity with functionality and ultimately make\na difference in people\u0027s lives is what makes being an architect so fulfilling."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"Vito"],[0,[],0,": I work in the mental and behavioral health side of\nhealthcare and love knowing that my work creates a calm and therapeutic\nenvironment for people during a vulnerable time in their life."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"Shannon"],[0,[],0,": Leveraging design to improve health, advance\nequity, and address our changing climate motivates me to come to work every\nday. Architecture can often feel slow \u2013 it can take years for projects to move\nfrom concept to realization \u2013 but being in community in a space that you have\nhad a part in crafting is incredibly powerful."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"What is your favorite representation of architecture in\nculture?"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"Gathings"],[0,[],0,": I feel that architecture\u0027s biggest service to\nculture is when it interrogates the status quo to iterate a better, open and\nmore hopeful future."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"Takeuchi"],[0,[],0,": \u2018Iolani Palace in Honolulu stands out as a symbol\nof the Hawaiian Kingdom for innovation and inclusion. Built in 1882 as a home\nfor monarchs of the Kingdom of Hawai\u2018i, the palace received electricity before\nthe White House and welcomed leaders from around the world before the monarchy\nwas illegally overthrown in 1893."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"Thuesen"],[0,[],0,": I\nappreciate how vernacular architecture shapes the experience of a city or\nplace. I\u2019ve been fortunate to live abroad and travel extensively, and I\u2019ve\nexperienced how we closely associate architecture with placemaking and\nmemories. What would Paris be without the Eiffel tower?"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"Haedt"],[0,[],0,": It\u0027s difficult for me to pick a single representation\nof architecture in culture as my favorite. Similar to the many diverse voices\nand cultures around us, there are countless representations of architecture\nthat deserve to be appreciated and heard. I believe we should celebrate the\nmoments when the inhabitants of a building or space can elevate it beyond just\nbeing an empty vessel. These are the moments when the physical space comes\nalive and becomes truly meaningful. As architects, it\u0027s our duty to design\nspaces that can foster these transformative moments and help people connect\nwith their surroundings in a more profound way."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"Vito"],[0,[],0,": I always find it funny when TV or movie characters\nare architects because the role is often portrayed as this wonderfully\nmysterious profession of fame; the long hours, challenging funding and opposing\nclient views are never represented!"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"Shannon"],[0,[],0,": The Powers of Ten by Charles and Ray Eames comes\nto mind. It\u2019s not architecture per se, but it demonstrates the importance of\ninter-disciplinary, inter-scalar thinking that is so critical for architecture.\nIt\u2019s an important reminder to remain both humble and aspirational in our approaches\nto the challenges we are facing today."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"What is your dream project?"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"Gathings"],[0,[],0,": I have had the gift of working on quite a few\ndream projects already! The dream for me\ninvolves a big idea with the possibility for great impact, and working with a\ngroup of people who believe in the potential design has for positive\nconsequence."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"Takeuchi"],[0,[],0,": Being in Hawai\u2018i, realistically much of what\u2019s\nbuilt here comes from outside, including materials, labor, and even design. My\ndream project would consist entirely of locally-sourced materials, local labor,\nhomegrown ideas, respect to historical and cultural context and inclusion of\ncommunity."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"Thuesen"],[0,[],0,": An urban art gallery or a nature-surrounded home\nthat\u2019s big enough to host all my friends and family for memorable weekends and\nvacations."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"Haedt"],[0,[],0,": My dream project is simply the next one that comes my\nway. Each project presents a unique opportunity for me to learn and grow as an\narchitect, and to apply that knowledge towards creating a more holistic healing\nenvironment. I believe that every project, regardless of its scale or complexity,\nhas the potential to teach me something new and to help me refine my skills.\nSo, my dream project is really just the next chance I get to put my experience\nand creativity to work for the benefit of my clients and their communities."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"Vito"],[0,[],0,": A project that provides equitable mental\nhealthcare for all without stigma, in a setting that equalizes mental health\nwith physical and spiritual health and is fully integrated into daily life."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"Shannon"],[0,[],0,": My dream project would be much more defined\naround the \u201chow\u201d than the \u201cwhat.\u201d I\u2019m always looking for projects that have the\npotential to be transformative for the organizations and communities they\nserve. This means having a strong vision, alignment of investment with need,\nand building\/sustaining support from the project coalition. Leveraging design\nto build consensus and delivering spaces that have a positive impact are the\nthings I dream about!"]]]]}