What do you like to do when you’re not in the studio?

I love food.  If I’m not in the studio, I prefer to be doing something food related. Cooking, gardening, reading cooking magazines or cookbooks, searching the web for that perfect recipe, shopping for cool stuff for my kitchen and dining room, even grocery shopping.  Oh yes, and of course, eating!

What was your best client experience?

I’ve had the pleasure of working with several great clients over the years. It is hard to pick just one experience from so many!  My favorite experiences all share one important thing – I become friends with our client by working together to solve the design problem at hand and then remain friends with them after the construction project is complete. 

If I wasn't in the Architectural field, I would probably be:

If I wasn’t in the Architectural field, I would probably be a cartographer.  I’ve always loved to study maps, I am always the navigator on trips and have some large maps as artwork in my home – even star maps. I seem to have a built in compass and can almost always point out which way is north.

What is the one thing you can’t live without?

As a chronic extrovert, I cannot live without people. In a perfect world, I would always do work in busy coffee shops, read at the kitchen table with my whole family talking around me, and fill every second with activities and friends. Nothing is more energizing for me than hosting a party or attending a Husker tailgate.

What is your favorite part of the profession?

My favorite part of architecture is that it requires you to be a lifelong learner. Every project has unique demands and gives you the opportunity to learn about other people and professions by designing for them.

What’s something about you that not many people know?

Technically, I am a first-generation American even though I only speak English and choose pepperoni pizza over most other foods. My dad is German and my mom is Canadian.

What is the one thing you can’t live without?

-My cat and coffee

What is your favorite part of the profession?

-It is constantly evolving and growing keeping me on my creative toes!

What is something about you that not many people know?

-I went skydiving in Hawaii!

What do you like to do when you’re not in the studio?

I enjoy being outdoors, hiking, biking and being with my family.

What is your favorite project type, and why?

I really enjoy working on a diversity of projects and working with a team to find creative solutions to complex challenges. 

If I wasn't in the Architectural field, I would probably be:

I absolutely love the DIY Network show "Salvage Dogs".  If I wasn't working in the architectural field, I think I would really enjoy doing architectural salvage like the guys on the show.

What is the one thing you can’t live without?

As cheesy as it sounds, I couldn’t get by without my friends! Besides always being there for me, I am continually learning and growing because of them. My friends push me to be the best person (and designer!) I can be.

What is your favorite part of the profession?

This summer and over the course of this whole last year, I’ve really been able to see the difference that architecture can make for a city, a community, and an individual. Being a problem solver and getting to see how my efforts can impact real people is my favorite part!

What’s something about you that not many people know?

I love camping and go every summer in July!

What do you like to do when you are not in studio?

When I’m not in the studio I enjoy baking/cooking, crafting and of course traveling. I love to create things whether it be perfecting a recipe, exploring Pinterest for the next craft to be showcased in my home or creating a memory with my friends and family.

Given the chance, what else would you like to design besides buildings?

Besides buildings, I think designing textiles or chairs would be my next go to area of design. I’m really inspired by the works of Robin and Lucienne Day so designing textiles, chairs, or a combination of them both would be a very interesting area for me to explore.

If I wasn’t in the Architectural field, I would probably be:

If I was not in the Architectural field, I would probably be an event planner or florist. I love how these areas would still allow me to be creative and give me hands-on work.

What is the one thing you can’t live without? 

A bicycle. I started to seriously alter my primary mode of transportation from a car to a bicycle about 10 years ago and now not only see it as transportation but also as a lifestyle.

What is one rule of Architecture you always follow – and which one do you choose to break?

Restroom doors should ALWAYS swing out. Okay, not exactly a rule of the profession, but it should be. Seriously… swing them out!

If I wasn’t in the Architectural field, I would probably be:

A Contractor. I have always enjoyed “making things” and creating with my hands. There is something fulfilling in the creation of something from nothing.

What do you like to do when you’re not in the studio?

When I’m not in the studio, you can usually find me either spending time with family and friends, coaching baseball, or out trying a new restaurant or coffee shop.

What’s your favorite part of the profession?

I love seeing how projects progress through the different phases of the design process, and exploring creative alternatives to design problems.

What’s something about you than not many people know?

I attended three different colleges throughout my educational career. I started at Dana College in Blair, Nebraska as a Sport Management major. After my first year, transferred to Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Physics. And finally, graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln after three years of graduate studies in architecture.

What do you like to do when you’re not in studio?

When I’m not in studio I am most likely either running, spending time with close friends and family, or fantasizing about/planning where to travel to next.

Given the chance, what else would you like to design besides buildings?

Anyone who knows me knows that I am an avid sneaker head and love all kinds of shoes. I currently own around 35 pairs. That being said, I have a dream of one day having the opportunity to design shoes with a large footwear company.

What advice would you give to the people reading your bio?

Never settle. You can live your entire life wanting to be good at something, but good isn’t enough when you dream of being great.

What is one thing you can't live without? 

One thing I can’t live without (besides all the obvious) is variety. I never want to go to the same restaurant twice in a row, and I love rearranging furniture. Keeping things fresh, and keeping those creativite juices flowing!

What is your favorite project type, and why?

My favorite project type is mixed use. I love what a puzzle it is, and how you really have to work to fit everything together in the most efficient and pleasing manner. It has to work for both the personal experience and the practicalities of business.

What has been your most unlikely source of inspiration?

My most unlikely source of inspiration was a 1960’s psychology book called The Hidden Dimension—all about how people use the space around them, and variations by culture. It’s what inspired me to become an architect! I always want to design spaces that bring joy to their inhabitants and make their lives a little better.