Nearly One-Fourth

Haley Duggins
Nearly One-Fourth

Hey there, welcome you to Nearly One-Fourth! I am Haley and I'm so excited to share my journey with you as I learn about the architecture profession and how to navigate it as an emerging professional. As an architectural designer/aspiring architect myself, I'm eager to chat with female architects and women in the profession who have already paved the way and hear about their experiences. We'll dive into a variety of topics, from design inspiration to career development, and explore what it means to be a woman in this field. I can't wait to share this journey with you! Thanks for tuning in!

  1. Esther Sperber, Chapter with a Legend, Balancing Architecture + Business, Psychoanalysis, Culture and Religions Intersection with Architecture

    04/23/2024

    Esther Sperber, Chapter with a Legend, Balancing Architecture + Business, Psychoanalysis, Culture and Religions Intersection with Architecture

    Summary Esther Sperber, an architect and founder of Studio ST Architects, shares her journey and experiences in the field of architecture. She discusses her time working for IM Pei and the challenges and rewards of starting her own firm. Esther also talks about the balance between architecture and business, the challenges faced by Studio ST Architects, and the impact of the pandemic on their work. Additionally, she explores her diverse interests in psychoanalysis, culture, and religion and how they intersect with her approach to design and architecture. In this conversation, Esther Sperber discusses the fluidity of spaces and the challenges of creating inclusive environments. She explores the balance between security and openness in design and shares examples of different approaches to security in worship spaces. Esther emphasizes the importance of designing for difference and creating spaces that accommodate diverse needs. She also discusses the impact of codes on design and the potential for innovation in areas like restrooms. Esther's diverse interests and experiences have shaped her practice and she encourages others to follow their passions and embrace their unique contributions. Takeaways Designing inclusive spaces requires balancing security and openness. Creating spaces that accommodate diverse needs is essential for inclusivity. Codes play a role in design, but there is room for innovation and questioning normative standards. Designing for difference can lead to more creative and fruitful solutions. Embracing diverse interests and experiences can enhance architectural practice.

    47 min
  2. Tracie Reed, Gender Dynamics in Architecture, Can Women have Kids in Architecture? and the Value of Design and the Profession

    04/23/2024

    Tracie Reed, Gender Dynamics in Architecture, Can Women have Kids in Architecture? and the Value of Design and the Profession

    Summary Tracie Reed, an architect with her own firm, shares her journey in the architecture industry and the challenges she has faced. She discusses the importance of interdisciplinary design and collaboration, as well as the need for representation and diversity in the field. Tracie emphasizes the value of hand-drawn work and the understanding of how people experience spaces through technology. She also highlights the importance of listening to clients and designing for their needs and aesthetics. Tracie believes that success in architecture is measured by client satisfaction and the ability to create functional and impactful spaces. This part of the conversation explores the design of spaces and the personal expression within them. It discusses the use of signage and the importance of personalizing workspaces. The conversation also delves into the value of handwritten notes and the meditative practice of writing. The benefits of dance and physical activity, as well as the importance of self-care and setting boundaries, are explored. The chapter concludes with a discussion on gender dynamics in the workplace and the consequences of correcting gendered language. This part of the conversation explores the challenges faced by women in the architecture profession, particularly in balancing work and family life. The discussion highlights the gender disparities in residential and commercial architecture, as well as the impact of traditional gender roles on career choices. The conversation also delves into the importance of support systems for working parents and the need for multi-generational help in parenting. The chapter concludes with a discussion on promoting sensitivity and diversity in architecture education and addressing inequality and bias in the profession. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the need for a more inclusive and supportive work culture in architecture. In this conversation, Tracie Reed discusses her passion for always learning and the excitement it brings to her work in architecture. She also expresses her concerns about the impact of AI on the profession and the potential changes it may bring. Tracie reflects on the challenges of being a woman in architecture and the importance of confidence and taking up space. She emphasizes the need to support and empower others in the profession and pave the way for future generations. Tracie also discusses the pressure to seek administrative roles and the value of design and detailing. She raises concerns about the unsustainability of current systems and the challenges of affordability in the profession. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the overwhelming question of sustainability and the appreciation for the time spent together. Takeaways Design spaces to accommodate personal expression and individuality. Allow for personalization of workspaces to create a sense of ownership and comfort. Handwritten notes can enhance focus and memory retention. Engaging in physical activities like dance and squash can provide mental and physical benefits. Self-care and setting boundaries are crucial for maintaining well-being in the architecture profession. Addressing gender dynamics and promoting inclusive language is essential in creating an equitable work environment. The architecture profession still faces challenges in terms of gender disparities and traditional gender roles. Balancing work and family life is a significant challenge for women in architecture. Support systems and multi-generational help are crucial for working parents in the profession. Promoting sensitivity, diversity, and inclusivity in architecture education and work culture is essential for creating a more equitable profession. Always be open to learning and embrace the excitement it brings to your work. Be aware of the potential impact of AI on your profession and be prepared to adapt to changes. As a woman in architecture, be confident, take up space, and be unafraid to challenge the status

    1h 45m
  3. Hallie Crouch, Career Pathways in Architecture, Mentorship, and a Purpose Outside of Architecture

    04/22/2024

    Hallie Crouch, Career Pathways in Architecture, Mentorship, and a Purpose Outside of Architecture

    Hey There! On this week's episode I have the pleasure of welcoming Hallie Crouch to the show! Hallie Crouch, a partner at Bialosky, shares her journey in the architecture industry and the importance of women in leadership roles. She discusses her experience working at Skynear Designs and the transition to Bialosky. Hallie also talks about the Coffee with Fellows program, which aims to connect young professionals with experienced architects. She emphasizes the need for planning and diversifying project types to prepare for economic downturns. Hallie reflects on her role as a partner at Bialosky and the value of intergenerational relationships in the profession. In this conversation, Hallie Crouch discusses her transition from a traditional architecture role to a business development role within her firm. She shares her experiences in gaining competency in financial implications and seeing multiple sides and implications in decision-making. Hallie also talks about the importance of design thinking in architecture and business, and how her background in architecture has helped her in understanding the business side of the firm. She highlights her involvement with Big Hearted Blooms, a nonprofit organization that rescues and repurposes flowers for patients, elderly, and the lonely. Hallie emphasizes the importance of finding purpose outside of architecture and the value of mentors in one's career. She also discusses ways to improve accessibility in the architecture profession and advises aspiring architects to define their own definition of success.

    43 min
  4. Stephanie Aranda, AIAS, AI in Architecture, Being a Citizen Architect, and the Power of Writing

    04/08/2024

    Stephanie Aranda, AIAS, AI in Architecture, Being a Citizen Architect, and the Power of Writing

    Summary Stephanie Aranda shares her experience running for Quad Director and the lessons she learned from the process. She also discusses her move from Texas to Philadelphia for school and how it shaped her perspective on architecture. Stephanie highlights the importance of being involved in organizations like AIS and NAB and how it has influenced her professional life. She also emphasizes the significance of the learning and teaching culture policy in creating a healthy studio environment. Lastly, Stephanie explores the role of AI in architecture and the potential benefits it can bring to the profession. The conversation explores the power and limitations of AI in various aspects of architecture, including workflows, writing, design, and social media. It discusses the impact of AI on jobs and the profession, emphasizing the need for architects to use AI as a tool rather than being replaced by it. The conversation also highlights the importance of speaking up and making an impact in the profession, as well as finding one's niche in architecture. It concludes with a discussion on sustainability and the role of citizen architects and architect developers in creating positive change. In this conversation, Stephanie Aranda shares her journey of finding her path in architecture and discovering a niche in writing. She emphasizes the importance of timing and not stressing about uncertainty. Stephanie discusses the value of feeling valued in your work and how passion can evolve over time. She shares her experience of writing for architecture magazines and the joy it brings. Stephanie also highlights the significance of preserving the environment and wildlife, particularly birds. She concludes by encouraging the inclusion of men in conversations about women in architecture. Takeaways Getting involved in organizations like AIAS and NAAB can provide valuable leadership and networking opportunities. Moving to a new city for school can be a challenging but rewarding experience. The learning and teaching culture policy is crucial in creating a healthy and supportive studio environment. AI has the potential to optimize workflows and improve efficiency in architecture. AI is a powerful tool in architecture, but it also has limitations and can sometimes produce silly or inaccurate results. Architects can use AI to streamline workflows, generate design ideas, and automate tasks, but it's important to maintain a balance and not rely too heavily on AI. Architects need to be proactive in adapting to the changes brought by AI and focus on developing skills that cannot be easily replaced by AI, such as creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Finding one's niche in architecture is important for personal fulfillment and professional growth, and it may involve exploring different roles and specialties within the profession. Architects have a responsibility to advocate for sustainability and make small changes in their projects to contribute to a more sustainable built environment. Being a citizen architect and an architect developer can provide opportunities to have a positive impact on society and the profession, and it's important to encourage more diversity and representation in these roles. Timing is important in finding your path, and it's okay to be uncertain. Feeling valued in your work is crucial, and passion can change over time. Writing can be a powerful outlet for architects to share their experiences and connect with the community. Preserving the environment and wildlife, such as birds, is essential for the profession. Including men in conversations about women in architecture can lead to greater understanding and support.

    1h 27m
  5. Gabriella Bermea, The Importance of K-12 Architecture, Empowering Women in Male Dominated Professions, Accessibility to Architecture, Mentors, and Professional Growth

    03/25/2024

    Gabriella Bermea, The Importance of K-12 Architecture, Empowering Women in Male Dominated Professions, Accessibility to Architecture, Mentors, and Professional Growth

    Summary Gabriella Bermea, a design architect and associate with VLK Architects, discusses her journey into architecture and her passion for K-12 architecture. She shares her early interest in architecture, the challenges she faced in architecture school, and the importance of K-12 facilities. Gabriella also talks about budget constraints in K-12 architecture and the concept of having all grade levels in one facility. She emphasizes the need for school funding and advocacy. Additionally, she highlights her involvement in the Pflugerville Education Foundation and the importance of empowering women in male-dominated professions. The conversation covers the importance of mentorship and representation, community involvement and social justice, making architecture more accessible, and the need for diverse representation in the profession. Gabriella Bermea discusses the importance of representation in education and the challenges faced by minority educators. She emphasizes the need to support and empower minority educators through mentorship and networks. Gabriella also highlights the role of advocacy in bringing about change in the education system. She explains how representation positively impacts students and shares strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome. Finally, she encourages aspiring educators to pursue licensure and continue their professional growth. Pflugerville Education Foundation Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:14 Early Interest in Architecture 04:09 Transition to K-12 Architecture 08:07 Importance of K-12 Architecture 09:28 Challenges in Architecture School 13:35 Budget Constraints in K-12 Architecture 18:10 K-12 Facilities on One Site 21:24 School Funding and Advocacy 24:29 Involvement in the Pflugerville Education Foundation 27:49 Empowering Women in Male-Dominated Professions 30:23 Importance of Mentorship and Representation 32:37 Community Involvement and Social Justice 36:25 Making Architecture More Accessible 47:33 Representation in Architecture 05:00 The Importance of Representation in Education 10:00 Challenges Faced by Minority Educators 15:00 Supporting and Empowering Minority Educators 20:00 The Role of Mentors and Networks 25:00 Advocating for Change in Education 30:00 The Impact of Representation on Students 35:00 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 40:00 The Path to Licensure and Professional Growth 45:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    1h 4m
  6. Katerina Burianova, Challenge of Licensure Exams, Transition to Starting a Practice, Residential Architecture and 'From the Honeycomb'

    03/11/2024

    Katerina Burianova, Challenge of Licensure Exams, Transition to Starting a Practice, Residential Architecture and 'From the Honeycomb'

    Hey There and Welcome back to Nearly One-Fourth! In this conversation, Katerina shares her journey in architecture, from her early interest in the field to becoming a licensed architect. She discusses the influences that sparked her passion for architecture and led her to pursue it as a career. Katerina also highlights the cultural differences between the US and the Czech Republic, where she is originally from. She talks about the transition from school to the profession and the challenges she faced during the licensure exams. Finally, she shares her experience of completing the exams and achieving her dream of becoming a licensed architect. In this part of the conversation, the principal themes discussed include the qualifications and examinations for architects, the importance of a support system and perseverance, the value of firm support for licensure, challenges and misunderstandings in the architecture profession, transitioning to starting a practice, the residential architecture process, the contracting process in residential architecture, the timeline and challenges in residential projects, and estimating and cost management in residential projects. Katerina and Haley discuss various aspects of the architecture profession, including billing and time tracking, transparency with clients, Katerina's podcast From the Honeycomb, advice for architects, and Katerina's upcoming workbook for starting an architecture firm. They also touch on the differences between residential and commercial architecture. https://fromthehoneycomb.podbean.com/ Instagram @fromthehoneycombpodcast Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:00 Interest in Architecture and Early Influences 08:00 Cultural Differences between the US and Czech Republic 14:00 Transition from School to Profession 20:00 Challenges of Licensure Exams 27:00 Completion of Licensure and Achieving Dream 28:23 Qualifications and Examinations for Architects 30:28 Support System and Perseverance 34:07 Importance of Firm Support for Licensure 36:06 The Value of Being a Licensed Architect 39:05 Challenges and Misunderstandings in the Architecture Profession 43:48 Transitioning to Starting a Practice 48:18 Residential Architecture Process 51:26 Contracting Process in Residential Architecture 53:25 Timeline and Challenges in Residential Projects 55:26 Estimating and Cost Management in Residential Projects 55:55 Billing and Time Tracking 57:17 Transparency with Clients 58:44 From the Honeycomb Podcast 01:03:15 Advice for Architects 01:05:00 Workbook for Starting an Architecture Firm 01:06:30 Residential Architecture

    1h 10m
  7. Caitlin Brady, Podcasting, Representing Women in Architecture, Connection and Transition from School to the Profession

    02/26/2024

    Caitlin Brady, Podcasting, Representing Women in Architecture, Connection and Transition from School to the Profession

    Hey there and Welcome back to Nearly One-Fourth! In this conversation, Caitlin Brady, host of the Architectette Podcast, shares her journey in architecture and the inspiration behind starting her podcast. She discusses the challenges of remote work during the pandemic and the importance of connecting with others in the industry. Caitlin also talks about the unexpected benefits of hosting the podcast and the opportunities it has brought her, including speaking at conferences. She shares her experiences with different design software and the transition from school to practice. Finally, Caitlin reflects on her career as a project architect and the lessons she has learned along the way. In this conversation, Caitlin Brady discusses her career growth and leadership opportunities in architecture. She shares her experiences of taking on larger roles and leading teams as opportunities arose. Caitlin emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in the field of architecture, highlighting the value of different perspectives and backgrounds in creating better spaces. She also encourages and supports the next generation of architects, urging them to stay enthusiastic, curious, and to reach out for help and mentorship. Caitlin discusses the benefits of a practice-oriented education and the importance of work-life balance and prioritizing mental health. She shares her future goals and plans, including continuing to record episodes for Architectette and working on exciting projects at her firm. Caitlin concludes with words of advice and wisdom, encouraging architects to stay passionate, follow their interests, and prioritize their well-being. Architectette Podcast Instagram:@architectette Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:01 Starting Architecette Podcast 03:21 Creating a Resource for Women in Architecture 04:09 Connecting During the Pandemic 05:11 Unexpected Benefits of Architected 07:04 Presenting at AIA Conference 08:08 Transition to Public Speaking 09:06 Childhood Commercials 10:11 Personal Life as a Nomad 13:14 Transitioning from School to Practice 15:36 Learning in the Workplace 18:08 Rhino vs SketchUp 20:06 Learning SketchUp on the Job 23:17 Becoming a Project Architect 29:00 Career Journey 30:38 Career Growth and Leadership Opportunities 35:23 Diversity and Inclusion in Architecture 37:04 Encouraging and Supporting the Next Generation 39:00 Practice-Oriented Education and Real-World Experience 41:14 Work-Life Balance and Prioritizing Mental Health 44:15 Future Goals and Plans 45:49 Final Words of Advice and Wisdom

    53 min
5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Hey there, welcome you to Nearly One-Fourth! I am Haley and I'm so excited to share my journey with you as I learn about the architecture profession and how to navigate it as an emerging professional. As an architectural designer/aspiring architect myself, I'm eager to chat with female architects and women in the profession who have already paved the way and hear about their experiences. We'll dive into a variety of topics, from design inspiration to career development, and explore what it means to be a woman in this field. I can't wait to share this journey with you! Thanks for tuning in!

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