On today’s episode of Architectette we feature a conversation with Julianne Peters. Julianne is an interior designer at Hellyer Lewis Smith, founder of Design Success Network, and is also a multi-term leader of her local PA/NJ/DE IIDA Chapter.

We talk about:

- Julianne’s early career experiences, how she navigated challenges during the pandemic, the roles and responsibilities of her current position, and the challenge of taking and passing the NCIDQ exams.

- The importance of legislation both on a national and a state level to protect the title of interior designers, the ability to sign drawings, and the advocacy efforts in various states to achieve recognition.

- Her extensive volunteerism with professional associations like IIDA and ASID. She reflects on the benefits of her involvement which extends far beyond the workplace.

- We finish with Julianne’s founder story! We talk about the idea for Design Success Network and how the platform works to ease the burden of the NCIDQ exams with study resources and tutoring to support designers preparing for exams or seeking professional development.

Links:

Learn more about Julianne

Connect with Julianne on LinkedIn

Design Success Network

NCIDQ Exam

IIDA

ASID

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!

- ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠

Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlexGrohl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

On today’s episode of Architectette we meet with Patricia Ramallo. Patricia is the Assistant Vice President of International Relations at NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards).

We talk about:

- Patricia's journey to get her US architecture license after being licensed in Argentina. She offers insights into the challenges and rewards of navigating licensure requirements and how she applies those experiences to her work at NCARB today.

- We next chat about NCARB's response to changing industry needs and how implementing changes (transitioning from ARE version 4.0 to 5.0, modifying exam formats, switching to PSI, removing scrap paper, reintroducing reschedule fees, and eliminating the rolling clock) have impacted testing and licensure rates.

- We also talk about how NCARB addresses DEI issues within the architecture profession and tracks changes through the NCARB by the Numbers report.

- I also had to include a conversation about the cost of exams and maintenance fees! Patricia and I talk about NCARB as a non-profit, how they work to minimize costs, and what programming they offer above and beyond exam prep. (There are also a lot of ways to volunteer with NCARB)

Links:

Connect with Patricia on LinkedIn

More about Patricia

NCARB Website

NCARB By the Numbers

NCARB Foreign Architect Path

NCARB Practice Exams

Volunteer with NCARB

NCARB Futures Symposium

Baseline on Belonging 

Baseline on Belonging Action Plan   

NCARB LinkedIn, NCARB Instagram, NCARB YouTube

Patricia Akinaga Architectette Episode

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!

- ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠

Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlexGrohl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

On today’s episode of Architectette we welcome Shannon Dowling. 

Shannon is an architect, educator, and higher education strategist. She is a Principal at Ayers Saint Gross, working from Richmond, VA. She recently completed a yearlong fellowship with the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP), during which she studied the role physical campus space plays in facilitating belonging for college students. Shannon was recognized with AIA Virginia’s 2023 Award for Distinguished Achievement in recognition of her work, research, and service.

We talk about:

- Shannon's background as an educator and her roles as architect and space analyst.

- Collegiate DEI goals and the importance of designing spaces that enhance a sense of belonging.

- The economic benefits of retaining students through inclusive design and talk about some of the tradeoffs.

- A University of Washington Precedent: how Shannon and her team measured belonging in residential and social spaces and identified successes and potentials for improvements.

- Shannon’s top design trends to embrace and those we should abandon.

Links:

Connect with Shannon on LinkedIn

Ayers Saint Gross

Shannon's SCUP Research

Chaddy Chair

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!

- ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠

Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlexGrohl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

On today’s episode of Architectette we explore an alternative career path with architect Sharadan Rorabaugh. 

Sharadan and I met in the architecture program at Drexel University. After graduation, she worked in the industry, earned a master’s degree overseas, and became a licensed architect. In 2019, she enlisted in the US Navy and is now a construction manager in the Civil Engineer Corps (CEC).

We talk about:

- Her foundations in architecture and how she came to enlist in the US Navy.

- Her current and past roles as well as their benefits and limitations.

- Tips for how to prepare for bootcamp (hint, there are a lot of pushups).

- We also chat about deployment, benefits, pensions, and maternity leave.

Links:

Sharadan's LinkedIn

CEC FAQs

CEC Fact Sheet

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!

- ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠

Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlexGrohl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

On today’s BONUS episode of Architectette we welcome Ishwariya Rajamohan. Ishwariya (Ishoo) is a former architect, based in the UK, who now coaches female leaders in AEC industries. She focuses on issues such as confidence in the workplace and work-life balance. 

You'll learn that you're not in this alone (and leave with a few tricks to enhance your career)!

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ishwariya-rajamohan/

Love Letters to Chefs: https://loveletterstochefs.com/

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!

- ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠

Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlexGrohl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

On today’s episode of Architectette, we share a conversation with Angela Watson. Angela is the President and CEO of Shepley Bulfinch, a national architecture firm with a focus on education, healthcare, urban development, and science and tech.

In 2024, Shepley Bulfinch is celebrating their 150th Anniversary! We talk about how the company has evolved over time as well as Angela’s role to shape the firm moving forward. 

We talk about: 

-  Angela’s career progression from designer and educator to principal and- most recently- CEO. We talk about how her responsibilities and priorities have shifted, why she considers herself a ‘dot connector,’ and what challenges and opportunities come with leadership.

- Next, we also talk about flexibility and hybrid work, the tools that the firm uses to enhance engagement and collaboration, potential applications for AI, and soft skills that stand out during the hiring process. 

- Angela also advises on ways to curate a mentor/mentee relationship: What to ask, how to ask, and moments in her career where she learned the biggest lessons

- We end by discussing Angela’s renovation of a Gropius/ Breuer Bauhaus cottage in the woods: the challenges of renovation and how changing the building saved it from demolition

Links:

Shepley Bulfinch: https://shepleybulfinch.com/

More about Angela: https://shepleybulfinch.com/people/angela-watson/

Chamberlain Cottage: https://hiddenarchitecture.net/chamberlain-cottage/

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!

- ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠

Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlexGrohl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Our first Season 2 guest is Yiselle Santos Rivera. Yiselle is Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion at HKS and is also a former AIA|DC Chapter President, co-founder of LA IDEA, and WIELD event founder.

She is a natural community builder and has been heavily involved with JEDI initiatives both on a local and national scale for which she has been recognized with numerous awards.We talk about: - Crafting her career path in terms of employers and project types to better align with her interest to design spaces that heal- How Yiselle created communities around her interests and identities and how her leadership elevated others but also opened doors for her- The specifics of her role as JEDI director: how she splits time, her current initiatives, JEDI focused client work, bridging difficult conversations with clients and colleagues, and her tips for those interested in starting a JEDI movement at their own companies- The circular benefits of mentorship and Yiselle's Hogwarts house!Links: JEDI at HKS: https://www.hksinc.com/what-we-do/services/justice-equity-diversity-and-inclusion/Connect with Yiselle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yisellesantos/Equity Committee by WIELD: https://www.aiadc.com/committee/equity-committee-wieldLA IDEA: https://www.laideadc.com/La Concha Resort, Puerto Rico: https://www.laconcharesort.com/hotel/

Connect with Architectette:

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- 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!

- ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠

Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlexGrohl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

On today’s episode of Architectette we welcome Bolanle Williams-Olley.

Bolanle is CFO and co-owner of Mancini Duffy, a New York based architecture firm. She is also the author of Build Boldly: Chart Your Unique Career Path and Lead with Courage and has founded several non-profits including SheBuildsWaves, SheBuildsLives, SheBuildsMoney, and REACHNigeria. 

We talk about: 

- How Bolanle, as a math major, didn’t want to pursue a career in finance, yet ended up as CFO of an architecture firm. 

- The importance of creating opportunities for yourself, but also how being open to encouragement/ support by mentors and colleagues can transform your career (even if you feel a tinge of imposter syndrome). 

- We also hear from Bolanle about the importance of transparency, consistent financial monitoring, what tough conversations look like at the C-Suite level, and the benefits of maintaining good relationships with clients. 

- In the second half of the episode, we cover all things non-architecture! We talk about party planning, Bolanle’s book and her non-profits, work-life balance, and motherhood. 

Links:

Bolanle's Website: https://www.bolanlewo.com/

Mancini Duffy: https://www.manciniduffy.com/

SheBuildsMoney: https://www.shebuildsmoney.com/

REACHNigeria: https://www.reach-initiative.org/where-we-work/nigeria/

SheBuildsLives: https://shebuildslives.org/

SheBuildsWaves: https://www.shebuildswaves.com/

Buy Bolanle's Book: https://bookshop.org/shop/Architectette

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!

- ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠

Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlexGrohl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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 mixed to create an atmosphere that fosters community, belonging, and a sense of home.

- Aysia shares her tips for successful event planning, how she makes guests feel welcome, and advice about how guests can overcome nerves and initiate conversation at an event.

- We also talk about interior design and how Aysia recommends tempering trendy styles and design elements with your own distinct personal style.

- We also talk about the importance of travel and going outside of your comfort zone to create meaningful memories.

- Learn more about Aysia (and her awesome mom, Connie) on their podcast, HereHome.

Fill out our 2023 EOY survey! https://forms.gle/jjNvho2TJKL7F8E2A

Links:

Aysia's Website: https://aysiawoods.com/

HereHome Website: https://www.weareherehome.com/

HereHome Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareherehome/

HereHome Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1lqhutEqk11jK7DIwHuKww

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!

- ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠

Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlexGrohl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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 also talk about:

- Her involvement with AIA at the local, state, and national level.

- How she had trouble seeing herself as an architect while she was in school and how she found her stride once she started working in service of others.

- We chat about her volunteer work getting students excited about architecture and how she has learned about herself through mentorship.

- We also talk about how critical it is to work at a firm that aligns with who you are and to find champions in your colleagues who will help you combat self-doubt.

Links:

Gabby's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabbybermea

Gabby's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriella-bermea-aia/

VLK Architects: https://vlkarchitects.com/people/gabriella-bermea

BD+C 40 under 40: https://www.bdcnetwork.com/40under40-2023#

AIAS Ask an Architect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAKVnuLJwJ0

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!

- ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠

Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlexGrohl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.