Nakita Reed is an award-winning architect with experience in the rehabilitation and sustainable reuse of historic buildings. She is an Associate Principal at Quinn Evans, a LEED-Accredited Professional, and a certified Passive House Consultant.

She serves on the board of the Baltimore Architecture Foundation, the Zero Net Carbon Collaboration for Existing and Heritage Buildings (ZNCC), Built Buildings Lab, and is host of the Tangible Remnants podcast - a podcast that demystifies the building reuse process for building owners and developers.

We talk about:

- Nakita’s childhood curiosity for abandoned buildings and how that led her to a career focused on efforts to restore them to serve their communities again.

- We review the challenges and successes of some of Nakita’s most memorable projects and how her team worked to challenge misconceptions that historic buildings can’t be sustainable, energy-efficient, or adaptable.

- Nakita shares technical insights on documenting and restoring heritage structures using exploratory demolition, laser scanning, dew point testing, and WUFI analysis.

- Finally, Nakita reflects on launching her podcast, Tangible Remnants, as a way to contextualize architecture within race, history, and culture and tell fuller, more inclusive stories about the ways we live and work.

>>>

Connect with Nakita:

https://www.nakitareed.com/

Guide to building reuse for climate action | AIA

Zero Net Carbon Collaboration for Existing and Historic Buildings

What is WUFI®? | WUFI (en)

>>>

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- LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Architectette Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Page and/or⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Caitlin Brady⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

>>>

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Music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AlexGrohl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Erin Pellegrino is a strategist, designer, and registered architect. Through Matter, her design and fabrication studio, she transforms visionary concepts into extraordinary spaces, objects, and experiences.

Erin is the co-founder of Out of Architecture, a career resource community and talent services agency, and co-author of ‘Out of Architecture: The Value of Architects Beyond Traditional Practice’ (Routledge, 2022). Her commitment to expanding design’s impact extends to academia, where she has taught at Harvard, Cornell, The New School, CUNY, and NJIT. At NJIT she co-leads the design/build program focusing on public interest design.

Her work has earned global recognition, including an Autodesk BuildSpace Fellowship, AIA New England Design Honor Award, Core77 Design Award in Built Environment, two Architizer A-plus awards, a Paul M. Heffernan International Fellowship, and a nomination for the EU Mies Van der Rohe Award. She holds an M.Arch II from Harvard Graduate School of Design, a B.Arch from Cornell University, and an MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology.

We talk about:

- How Erin built a multidimensional career across architecture, academia, and entrepreneurship. 

- She reflects on early lessons from working with Tod Williams Billie Tsien and how her in-office experience shaped her decision to question a typical path in architecture and eventually carve her own path.

- Erin explains how Out of Architecture blossomed from conversations about burnout and evolved over a series of secret coaching calls to expand into publishing a book, launching a podcast, and creating a global platform for architects seeking greater balance and fulfillment.

- We critique the profession’s lack of transparency regarding labor and pay and Erin lists a few practices she would change.

- In closing, Erin reminds architects that their power lies in their relationships between people, materials, and spaces.

>>>

Connect with Erin:

Out of Architecture.

Matter.

>>>

Connect with Architectette:

- Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.architectette.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Learn more)

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- LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Architectette Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Page and/or⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Caitlin Brady⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AlexGrohl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Bryce Batts is a dynamic business consultant, speaker, certified Career Coach, and Co-founder of Career Collective, bringing over 15 years of experience as a recruiter in the AEC industry.

With a fierce commitment to empowering women, Bryce helps organizations overcome barriers to hiring by developing innovative talent acquisition strategies. Her expertise enables companies to attract and retain diverse talent, fostering a more inclusive workplace.

We talk about:

- The ways in which the 2008 recession and pandemic impacted hiring in architecture, with both events prompting widespread layoffs and shifts in talent retention across the AEC industry.

- We also discuss some popular issues facing today’s workforce. Bryce details why mid-career professionals with 8–12 years of experience are in high demand, yet hard to find and why early career staff commonly lack mentorship.

- We also discuss how firms are turning to hybrid work models, satellite offices, and creative benefits to stay competitive in attracting top talent.

- Bryce gives advice how listeners can optimize their LinkedIn profiles with keywords, detailed project experience, and referrals to be ready when an opportunity arises.

- We end by chatting about Bryce’s podcast Wine After Work and her new book The Career Architect which both shares stories and career design strategies to help AEC professionals build fulfilling, resilient careers

>>>

Connect with Bryce:

Bryce's Website: www.brycebatts.net

Career Collective Website: www.mycareercollective.com

Bryce on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryce-batts-recruiter/ 

Bryce's IG: https://www.instagram.com/brycebatts/

>>>

Connect with Architectette:

- Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.architectette.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Learn more)

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- LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Architectette Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Page and/or⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Caitlin Brady⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

>>>

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>>>

Music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AlexGrohl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

BONUS EPISODE!!!

In this compilation episode, our 2025 Architectette guests share where they draw inspiration. Hear from our guests in architecture, interior design, consulting, business development, urban planning, and more about where they seek their sparks of joy!

Connect with Architectette:

- Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.architectette.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Learn more)

- Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @architectette⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (See more)

- Newsletter:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.architectette.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Behind the Scenes Content)

- LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Architectette Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Page and/or⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Caitlin Brady⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Support Architectette:

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Music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AlexGrohl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

On this special *double feature* listen to our interview with Angela Mazzi, then head over to the Architecting Podcast to hear Angela interview Caitlin!

Today's guest, Angela Mazzi is dedicated to enhancing quality of life through the built environment. Her research on salutogenesis, equity, and socio-cultural contexts illuminates how design impacts well-being and the ways the design process impacts designers.  It’s her mission as a firm principal at GBBN, industry leader, and mentor with the AIA NAC/FAIA Mentoring Program, and AIA Align Mentoring program to advocate for healthy innovation-focused practice models. 

She founded Architecting, a community consisting of an award-winning podcast, classes in stress management and high performance to explore and eradicate systemic codependency in the AEC industry.  She is the author of two books, Career Crisis and Time Builder and is currently writing a third: The Design Ecosystem.

Angela is Past President of the American College of Healthcare Architects, Past President of AIA Cincinnati, and Secretary of AIA Ohio. She is a peer reviewer for Health Environment Research and Design (HERD) Journal, 2022 recipient of the HCD10 Top Architect Award, and 2024 recipient of the AIA Ohio Gold Medal.

We talk about:

- Angela explains how adopting a mindset of “ask forgiveness, not permission” opened doors to leadership and long-term professional influence. She reflects on how her involvement with the AIA expanded her understanding of architecture’s role beyond buildings.

- We next discuss the concept of salutogenesis and Angela outlines how salutogenic design improves outcomes for patients, families, and clinical staff during moments of stress.

- We also talk about Angela’s prolific podcast, Architecting, where she addresses burnout, disillusionment, and strategies for building a meaningful, resilient career in AEC.

- Angela discusses the importance of setting stretch goals such as the Nobel Peace Prize and why she encourages architects to shift their mindset, question systemic norms in the profession, and embrace the power of design to influence health, equity, and social change.

>>>

Angie Scott, Ph.D., Allied IIDA, and Allied ASID, is a well-known expert regarding well-being and inclusive design in the built environment. She is the CEO, Principal Design Researcher, and Strategist at Culturwell. Through evidence-based design and strategy, her consultancy aims to improve retention, sense of belonging, and well-being in built environments by collaborating with innovative leaders in architecture, healthcare, housing, and education. 

Her previous positions include the Community Concept Lead and creator of the WELL Equity Rating at IWBI, and a tenure-track professor of interior design. 

We talk about: 

Connect with Architectette:

- Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.architectette.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Learn more)

- Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @architectette⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (See more)

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- LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Architectette Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Page and/or⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Caitlin Brady⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Support Architectette:

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Music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AlexGrohl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Today we’re chatting with Robin Raines. Robin brings over 30 years of architectural expertise to Rowhouse Architects, focusing on affordable housing, adaptive reuse, and historic preservation. Today she resides in Asheville, NC but is originally from Grundy, Virginia, Robin proudly calls herself “a coal miner’s daughter,” embracing her Appalachian roots.

She discovered her passion for architecture at Virginia Tech, where she earned her degree and began her mission to design spaces that truly make a difference.

We talk about: 

- Robin Raines shares her experience in Asheville during and after Hurricane Helene, including the loss of historic buildings in the River Arts District and the challenges of rebuilding.

- We discuss the architectural community’s role in recovery, from zoning changes to master planning and what are the opportunities to shape a more resilient future.

- We then talk about Robin’s work as an architect in Asheville and how context-sensitive infill projects and missing middle housing can provide more affordable, livable options.

- Robin shares how her journey to becoming majority owner at Rowhouse Architects started with a plate of spaghetti and she also shares the importance of support from her peer networks as she has risen in leadership in her career.

____

Links:

Rowhouse on IG: https://www.instagram.com/rowhouse_arch/

Rowhouse Architects Website: https://rowhouse-architects.com/

Robin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-raines-b0057135/

Robin/ Asheville/ Hurricane Helene: https://styleblueprint.com/everyday/robin-raines-rowhouse-architects/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKgPRJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE3NFM4UUU2dXFJOXJDeEN0AR41fSr49iojMgPPc-PbOrZqz7mFS6jVRuQwFM7FZPMyDmnF0erpDunNVTDGTQ_aem_m8BbaGQTGvWKQoh7lmKnrg

Connect with Architectette:

- Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.architectette.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Learn more)

- Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @architectette⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (See more)

- Newsletter:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.architectette.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Behind the Scenes Content)

- LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Architectette Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Page and/or⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Caitlin Brady⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Support Architectette:

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Music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AlexGrohl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

On today’s episode we welcome Bethany Lundell Garver. Beth is Dean of Practice at the Boston Architectural College, where she oversees college-wide courses and career programs that connect academic knowledge to real-world challenges. She directs the Gateway Office BAC, an innovative "community-based design uncenter" that expands design agency through civic engagement. 

Before joining the BAC in 2014, she spent many years with Rafael Viñoly Architects, working on significant laboratory and healthcare projects. She was recently recognized with the 2025 AIA/ACSA Practice and Leadership Award and the 2024 AIA Young Architects Award. Beth also maintains a Somerville-based design studio focused on architectural research and practice.

We talk about:

- The importance of pairing an education in architecture with real-world experience and how the BAC has designed and built a robust curriculum that balances academics with required hours in areas of practice.

- We make comparisons to NCARB’s AXP program and Beth shares what her peers in education are thinking regarding licensure pathways and accreditation to broaden access to the profession.

- We discuss the current state of studio culture, encouraging “good enough” design over perfectionism, and how Beth, as an educator, prepares students to manage their time effectively while maintaining work-life balance.

- We end by talking about a growing emphasis on designing for material reuse and how the BAC challenges traditional “infinite materials” assumptions, teaches adaptive, resource-conscious design practices, and collaborates with community partners.

____

Links:

Connect with Beth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-lundell-garver/

Learn about the BAC: go-bac.org

More about the BAC: https://www.acsa-arch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/BLG-AT-MS-TMB-PL-2025Awards-5.pdf

Connect with Architectette:

- Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.architectette.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Learn more)

- Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @architectette⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (See more)

- Newsletter:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.architectette.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Behind the Scenes Content)

- LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Architectette Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Page and/or⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Caitlin Brady⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Support Architectette:

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Music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AlexGrohl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Welcome to a special bonus episode of Architectette!

In this compilation episode, our 2025 Architectette guests share the advice they would give themselves at two pivotal points in their careers: just starting out, and after a decade of experience.

Whether you're fresh out of school or navigating your mid-career chapter, this episode offers honest insights, lessons learned, and encouragement from women who’ve been there. Tune in for a thoughtful reflection on growth, grit, and what really matters in the long arc of an architecture career.

Connect with Architectette:

- Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.architectette.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Learn more)

- Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @architectette⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (See more)

- Newsletter:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.architectette.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Behind the Scenes Content)

- LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Architectette Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Page and/or⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Caitlin Brady⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Support Architectette:

- Leave us a rating and review!

Music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AlexGrohl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

On today’s episode of Architectette we’re chatting with fellow architect and podcaster, Catherine Meng, AIA.

Catherine is an architect and project manager at DLR Group in San Francisco. She received her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cornell University, and previously worked in both Shanghai and New York City. She has built a career designing and leading projects ranging from high-end single-family residences to multi-family housing, as well as workplace and commercial design. She is also the host and founder of the Design Voice Podcast which was active from 2018 through 2022. 

We talk about: 

- Catherine’s unusual solution to finding work during the 2009 recession and how landing a job in China helped her to level up her CA experience and helped to boost her career once she returned to the US.

- We also chat about the Design Voice Podcast; the importance of being intentional when making guest selections and insights she learned over 80 episodes.

- We next reflect on her experiences balancing career growth with motherhood- what it was like to return after parental leave and how she successfully advocated for a workplace wellness room her office’s renovation.

- Most importantly, Catherine shares actionable strategies for cultivating mentorship. We talk about her mentors, how she plans for her career, and how she applies lessons learned from her mentors to her own role as a mentor to help elevate future leaders at her firm.

____

Links:

Connect with Catherine: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinewmeng/

Design Voice Podcast: https://www.designvoicepodcast.com/

Connect with Architectette:

- Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.architectette.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Learn more)

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