Michelle Delk, Partner and Landscape Architecture Lead at Snøhetta, joins host Adam Wagoner of High Low Buffalo for a wide-ranging conversation recorded live at the 2025 AIA Conference in Keystone, Colorado. In this episode, Michelle reflects on her journey from growing up in rural Iowa to studying art, sculpture, and installation before finding her path into landscape architecture. She shares how curiosity, intuition, and a deep connection to place have shaped her design philosophy, from early community-based work in Colorado to her leadership role at Snøhetta. Adam and Michelle explore the idea of slowing down in design: reading the landscape, embracing messiness early in the process, and allowing stories, histories, and material exploration to guide projects forward. Along the way, they discuss formative experiences with Snøhetta’s work in Norway, the Reindeer Pavilion, interdisciplinary collaboration, and how intuitive making plays a role in shaping meaningful spaces. The conversation also dives into Michelle’s transition from Civitas to Snøhetta, the challenges and rewards of joining an established global practice, and the importance of humility, patience, and trust in long-term design thinking. They close by looking ahead to the upcoming opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, and what it means to create architecture that is bold, quiet, and deeply rooted in its landscape. A thoughtful, reflective episode on design process, career evolution, and finding clarity by taking time to truly experience place. Watch this episode on YouTube & please subscribe! Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode is sponsored by: Pendula, a collaborative co-working studio in Denver’s Santa Fe Art District, was created specifically for architects and design professionals seeking community, connection, and creative exchange. Check out Adam’s architecture firm: High Low Buffalo This podcast is powered by The Plug Podcast Agency & Collective Culture See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
