What’s the most inspiring part of your job?
The most inspiring part of being an architect is knowing that everyday we are working towards making a difference in the community. Each project brings its own unique challenges and has an impact on the users, neighborhood, and environment in which it is built. I am also continuously inspired by other architects and seeing new innovative design solutions and products being implemented.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
During my free-time I enjoy hiking, playing tennis, relaxing at the beach, yoga, and playing with my cat.
Favorite food and restaurant?
My favorite food is Italian food, specifically spaghetti (or any type of pasta). The garlic mizithra at Old Spaghetti Factory is also delicious!!! (Fun Fact: they also sell the mizithra cheese there so you can make your own at home.)
What are the most pressing issues for architects in 2021?
The year 2020 has made a huge impact on the architect’s spatial design planning for the future and the way we practice. As we have discovered, the flexibility of working from home is possible in many occupations. It requires flexibility and adaptability in our daily working lives. Such is a shift from the traditional office setting to a more “hybrid office” which could change the paradigm of how we practice, collaborate, and communicate. Changing physical norms, such as social distancing and incorporating more hygenic spaces, may affect the way we program our architecture. As architects, we must learn how to adapt and navigate this shift.
What is something new you discovered during this pandemic?
The pandemic allowed me to slow down and focus on practicing/ learning new skills that I never would have done in our normal busy lives. I tried many new recipes (learned to use my instant pot), acquired a variety of plants, and started re-learning Japanese on the Duolingo app. I also “discovered” The Office… among many other great shows on Netflix which kept me laughing during an otherwise difficult year.