Architectette

Welcome to one of our final Architectette episodes of 2023! Today, we welcome Aysia Woods. Aysia is based in Savanna, Georgia and is a self-described anthropreneur- an anthropologist and an entrepreneur. She has made a career out of understanding people and applying that knowledge to bring people together at events, in business, and at home.  We talk about: - How anthropology and design can be mix...

Welcome to this episode of Architectette. This week, we chat with Gabriella Bermea. Gabby is an associate and design architect at VLK in Austin, Texas where she specializes in K-12 architecture. She has a passion for philanthropy, education, and advocacy.  We talk about: - Her involvement with AIA at the local, state, and national level. - How she had trouble seeing herself as an architect while s...

On today's episode of Architectette we chat with four recipients of the AIA|DC Emerging Architect Award .  Alison Pavilonis (2020 Recipient) is a Project Architect at Gensler and President Elect of the AIA DC chapter for 2024. Saakshi Terway (2022 Recipient) is a Project Designer at Quinn Evans and is Secretary of Immigrant Architects Coalition Non-Profit.  Mika Naraynsingh (2023 Recipient) is...

On today’s episode of Architectette we welcome Katelyn Rossier. Katelyn is an architect at SmithGroup and founder of Mentor DINO. You might recognize her as the woman behind the ARE story series on social media! We talk about:- Katelyn’s work experience, post-traumatic growth, and salary transparency.- We chat about the founding of Mentor DINO and how Katelyn hopes that her educational resources w...

On today’s episode of Architectette we welcome Dena Prastos, AIA. Dena is an architect, engineer, and founder of the New York City based company, Indigo River. Indigo River is a women-owned transdisciplinary design firm focused on progressive waterfront architecture and resiliency. The firm specializes in climate adaptation through waterfront solutions. We talk about: - Graduating with a degree in...

Our second Bonus Episode! The writer's strike is back in the news, so we are sharing this episode with Dominique Dawson a bit earlier than planned! Dominique went to architecture school, but currently works as a set designer in the film industry in Atlanta, GA. We talk about: - Her early experiences in architecture and transitioning to the film industry- Her day-to-day: design, research, softw...

Welcome to another episode of Architectette! This week we feature a conversation with Joann Lui. Joann started in the architecture industry and transitioned into tech, currently working as a content marketer for TestFit. She is also a coach, branding expert, and founded the Women Architects Collective. Today, we focus our conversation on her most recent endeavor, the Mental Health in Architecture...

On today’s episode of Architectette we welcome Alexandra Chaves. Alexandra is a project manager at Restructure Studio in Austin TX, a mom, an Austin Women in Architecture (WiA) member, as well as the founder of the WiA 'Profiles' Subcommittee. We talk about: - Starting her education in Venezuela, finishing a graduate degree in the United States, and starting a career in New York City. - Al...

Our very first Bonus Episode! It's short and sweet and focuses on the 2023 AIA Women's Leadership Summit in Boston. We interviewed a few attendees at the conference and chatted about their perspectives on work, the industry, and mentorship. >>> Connect with Architectette: - Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.architectette.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Learn more) - Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @architect...

On today’s episode of Architectette we are branching out from the AEC industry to welcome our friend Tigress Osborn! Tigress is the Board Chair of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance. NAAFA is a non-profit, volunteer, fat rights organization dedicated to protecting the rights and improving the quality of life for fat people.  We talk about: - Tigress’ leadership at NAAFA and the goa...

On today’s episode of Architectette we welcome Thuy Fontelera, P.E., S.E., LEED AP. Thuy is the founding principal of woman and minority-owned Element Structural Engineers.  Their impressive work spans commercial and residential sectors, but what makes this company unlike any of their competitors is Thuy’s commitment to transforming what leadership and workplace culture looks like in the AEC indus...

On today’s episode of Architectette we welcome Cristina Mazutis. Cristina has a background in graphic design and is the business development manager for Red Elephant, a Texas-based company that focuses on the design and production of architectural signage. We talk about:- Cristina’s upbringing in Colombia, her start in graphic design, and how her organizational and management skills helped her gro...

On today’s episode of Architectette we welcome landscape architect Patrícia Akinaga. She is president of Patrícia Akinaga Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, and Environmental Planning in São Paulo, Brazil and, at the time of recording, she is a Principal at Studio MLA in San Francisco. That’s right- she successfully leads two firms in two distinct countries! (Update per September 2023: Patrícia...

On today’s episode of Architectette I am delighted to welcome Erin Alley. Erin is an Associate Principal Partner at RMW and is based in their San Francisco Office. Erin and I worked together on several projects during my tenure at RMW and I was so happy to interview her so listeners can learn more about her career journey and experiences. Erin is an outstanding project manager, studio leader, and...

On today’s episode of Architectette we welcome Ramune Bartuskaite. Ramune is an Architect and Associate at FIFTEEN Architecture and Design as well as the CEO and founder of Spec Matters - an organization that strives to encourage the building industry to write healthier specifications and make better material selections. (If FIFTEEN sounds familiar, that’s because we interviewed the three female f...

On today's episode of Architectette we feature Dr. Tami Hausman. Tami is the founder and president of Hausman LLC which is an agency that helps architecture and design professionals amplify their influence inside and outside of AEC industries. In addition to her role as president, she is a media specialist, expert communicator, art historian, and design aficionado. Her international roster of...

On today's episode of Architectette we welcome Cori Callahan, the Program Director of Bike & Build.  Bike & Build pairs a cross-country bicycle trip with efforts to combat issues related to affordable housing and has been a thriving institution for 20 years with over 255,000 volunteer hours, 4000 participants, and 11 million miles biked. Sadly, summer 2023 will mark the non-profit’s fi...

On today's episode of Architectette we welcome three female founders of the Philadelphia firm, FIFTEEN Architecture and Design!  We chat with Ximena Valle, AIA, LEED AP; Mary Beth Di Figlia, RA; and Jill Lavine, AIA, LEED AP about founding the firm, manifesting their dreams, connecting their diverse backgrounds in architecture, design, construction, and archaeology; and how the act as leaders...

On today's podcast we welcome our first FAIA guest, Evelyn Lee!  Evelyn started in architecture but is now the first-ever Global Head of Workplace Strategy & Innovation at Slack Technologies. She is also the Founder of the Practice of Architecture, Co-Host of the Podcast, Practice Disrupted; and is extremely involved in the AIA, most notably serving as the first-ever female Treasurer to th...

On today’s podcast we welcome Dani Schroeder, PE, ENV SP. Dani works as a Transportation Engineer. She graduated from Drexel University in 2017 with both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Civil Engineering and is the first engineer in her family. She holds leadership positions for both the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). For her work with t...

On today’s podcast we welcome Tenille Bettenhausen. Tenille is a client success manager at Microdesk where she leverages her 20+ years in AEC industries working in technical, business development, and construction specializations. She is also author of the book, Maybe I’ll be an Architect, as well as Host of the Podcast, Death by Architecture.  We talk about: - How Tenille developed resilience thr...

On today's podcast we welcome guest Eva Baker AIA, LEED AP BD+C. Eva is an architect who specializes in laboratory planning. She is currently a Senior Associate and Director of the Philadelphia Office of HERA Laboratory Planners. We talk about: - Eva's pairing of a Bachelor degree in Chemistry with a Master's degree in Architecture so that she could combine two of her passions. - Wheth...

On today’s Architectette podcast we welcome Katrina Johnston-Zimmerman. Katrina is an urban anthropologist that specializes in human behavior in public spaces. In 2019, she was selected as one of the BBC's 100 Influential Women Around the World and currently works as a data fellow for the City of Philadelphia within the Smart Cities Department doing research on data equity and privacy. She is...

On today’s Architectette podcast we welcome Cynthia Kracauer. Cynthia is the Executive Director of the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation. She is also an architect and has had a fascinating career working for a starchitect, leading architecture firms as a partner, and serving as the managing director of AIA NY. She is at the forefront of advocacy for women in architecture. Please note a potent...

On today’s Architectette podcast we welcome planner Martha Cross, the Deputy Director of the City of Philadelphia’s Division of Planning and Zoning. Martha started her education in architecture school, but then pursued a career in planning, development, and non-profit work. Her experience and her path are truly inspiring. We talk about: - Martha’s realization, during architecture school, that she...