March 20th, 2024 12:00am
Reflecting on Women's History Month, we turn the spotlight toward the exceptional women shaping the future of architecture—a field where female representation is on the rise yet remains underrepresented.
While “The Brians” may have founded ALINE Architecture Concepts, we’re incredibly proud that a team of passionate and talented women has long been the driving force behind our company’s project management. These three women not only stand out for their professionalism and mastery in their respective fields, but they also embody the values that guide everything we do here at ALINE: craft, collaboration and community.
Celebrating the remarkable women of our tight-knit team, we invite you to delve into their stories and visions for the future of architecture in this insightful Q&A session.
Heidi, a creative and experienced registered architect, approaches design by seeking inspiration from the natural environment, strength in simplicity, balance, crisp lines, and utilizing warm natural materials, like wood, in contrast to exposed concrete and steel. A University of Arizona graduate, she has a background in constructing retail and hotel projects across the U.S. Passionate about continuous learning, Heidi enjoys cooking, mixology, various art projects, fitness, biking, connecting with nature, and quality time with loved ones.
Q: As a woman who is an architect, what unique challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?
A: I have experienced some difficult and disrespectful conversations over the years, as I’m sure most people do from time to time but have been able to navigate through them with the guidance of trusted individuals. I believe it’s important to surround yourself with positive, supportive people, and to cultivate those relationships. We get better as a team when we learn from each other, seek different perspectives, and ask for help.
Q: What’s something you wish you knew before entering the architecture industry that might be helpful for other women considering or starting a career in architecture?
A: I have approached the profession with an open mind and have enjoyed learning about all the different components that make up the field of architecture. With that said, the extent of complexity, coordination efforts, knowledge base, and array of responsibilities is also what surprised me the most entering this career. I’d advise anyone starting off in the field of architecture to always have eagerness to learn, willingness to get out of your comfort zone and take on tasks you’re unfamiliar with, take initiative to get things done, always strive for improvement (whether it is in the details, researching systems and materials, understanding the engineering side of things, clear and concise communication, etc.), present possible solutions when a challenge arises, and attention to detail. I also highly suggest pursuing licensure early in your career. This will offer credibility and help bridge the knowledge gap between schooling and the profession.
Clever Ramen
Q: You've mentioned drawing inspiration from the natural environment. In ALINE's spirit of valuing craft, can you share a project where this inspiration significantly influenced the design and how you were able to integrate these elements into a cohesive architectural solution?
A: One of the projects that specifically comes to mind is Clever Ramen. Wood slats are a characteristic present in the client’s other venues so we wanted to bring a similar component into the new concept as well. A high roof structure allowed us the opportunity to engage the vastness of the space and create an element that activates the entire restaurant. We utilized a series of plywood panels which were individually cut in a parametric pattern. Once installed along the wall and ceiling, the element took on a life of its own which resembles waves in water, koi swimming in a pond, or ramen swirling in a steaming pot of broth. We collaborated one-on-one with the structural engineer and millworker to discover the limitations of the material, methods of construction, and were able to design the system and details for the specific application. The parametric wood wall is a great example of the integration of nature and craft.
Dorota, raised in Poland with a Bachelor's in architecture from Krakow, is a registered architect in Arizona and California and holds a LEED Green Associate certificate. Dorota is passionate about sustainable, timeless and functional design. Her work, inspired by nature, focuses on turning ideas into reality. She enjoys hiking, gardening, traveling, and volunteering in her free time.
Q: You bring over 30 years of experience in architecture to your role at ALINE. What advice would you share with women who are just starting out on their architecture journey?
A: My advice would be to keep your eyes and ears open, read a variety of books, articles, and news to become aware of what is happening in today’s world. Travel as much as possible, inside the US and abroad – the foundation for being a great architect in the future is built over time, subconsciously absorbing information and knowledge while living an active life. Study the history of art and architecture to understand the classical beauty, proportions, principles of design, so you’ll have tools at your fingertips to use in the day-to-day work.
Q: From your perspective, how do you see the contributions of women, in varied roles within the industry, shaping the future of architecture?
A: Over the course of my life, I lived on two different continents: Europe and North America. The roles and contributions of women in architecture and construction I perceive are vastly different based on the geographical location. Growing up in Poland in the decades before the Berlin Wall came down, I was used to seeing women in engineering professions, my mother was an architect and it was not unusual to see women working on the construction sites. In the post-World War II reality of my homeland, the need to reconstruct and move the country forward allowed both women and men to stand side-by-side and to share in the great range of professions without prejudice.
Upon my arrival in the US in 1987, to my surprise, I quickly realized that women were practically absent from the architecture and construction fields. I often attended meetings with over ten participants, only myself being a woman. The common notion was, that women were not holding relevant knowledge or experience to be “in charge.” At present, the picture is more inclusive and women have come a long way over the years, however many stereotypes continue to persist. It’s not easy to evaluate women’s contributions to the industry which still today is a highly male-dominated environment and in which most of the national or international design awards are given to men.
Regarding shaping the future of architecture, we need to persevere in our pursuit of high professional standards, be proactive in taking on challenges at work and keep building our women-architect reputation one project at a time. Just like Rosie the Riveter!
Rosie's House
Q: Phoenix has been called the ‘least sustainable city.’ As a LEED Green Associate, in line with ALINE’s emphasis on collaboration, how do you engage with other professionals and the community to prioritize sustainable design practices in your projects here in The Valley? Could you discuss a project where collaborative efforts were key to its sustainable success?
A: Sustainability as a principle for a project is born from within and cannot be imposed on clients or developers. Using sustainable practices is not a mainstream of how the industry operates, decades after the establishment of LEED, environmentally responsible design is still seen as costly and complicated.
At ALINE we are fortunate to have many clients who believe they want to participate in changing this belief and that creates an opportunity for our collaboration. The most successful, sustainable projects that we were able to participate in were several adaptive reuse projects over the last five years. In most cases, the collaboration efforts involved the local municipality, the builder’s team and most of all our clients and future tenants. All parties worked together at different phases of the process to agree on sustainable design practices best for the specific project. Though these projects were not LEED certified, we have achieved a significant level of sustainability in areas of demolition – by preserving major components of existing structures, water conservation — by using water-saving plumbing fixtures, and reduced construction carbon footprint — by using locally sourced building materials and fabricators.
An example of one of ALINE’s sustainable projects is the Chasse Building Team headquarters which you can read more about here: https://www.madewithaline.com/chasse-building-team/
Other sustainable and adaptive reuse projects include:
Nicole, an Office Manager passionate about architecture and design, uses her Art & Design degree from Columbia College to enhance office efficiency and creativity. She excels in meeting deadlines, organization, and anticipating team needs. Outside work, she loves outdoor activities and landscape photography, along with quality time with friends and family.
Q: As ALINE’s Office Manager, you have a unique vantage point at the intersection of creativity and getting sh*t done. How do you think your Art & Design background has influenced your success in this role, and what words of advice would you give to other women who are navigating similar roles for the first time?
A: Coming from a background in digital and fine art, I knew I wanted to continue being a part of a creative process, whether that’d be in the advertising, marketing, editorial, or architectural industries. Every creative process needs some semblance of organization, which is where I find success in my role as office manager at ALINE. My advice to other women would be to hone in on your skillset and to stay cognizant of the industry you’re in, while taking up space! That’s how we get sh*t done. While I don’t have a degree in architecture, I have a deep appreciation for it that motivates me to cultivate a stable environment for the team so they can continue producing successful projects. The Brians have created space for the women in this office to feel as empowered as the rest of the team, and I’ve seen Heidi and Dorota be able to lead with such integrity as a result.
Q: At ALINE, community is one of the core values that we hold dear. What community-centered projects or initiatives by ALINE have been most rewarding for you, and why?
A: One of the most engaging aspects of architecture for me personally is the ability to create community through the built environment, even in the most unambiguous ways. I feel community engagement extends into our projects like The Eleanor, the Fate Brewing locations, and up-and-coming projects like Goodyear Civic Square and Taco Viva that give people a place to gather. That sense of community gathering can be as broad as the neighborhood the project is in or as narrow as being able to gather in a banquet seat inside the restaurant together.
Aside from the natural community ALINE’s restaurant and hospitality designs bring, I’m appreciative of the efforts the Brians make to extend the accessibility of architecture into the community to non-profits such as Rosie’s House, A Music Academy for Children and most recently, the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children. It’s incredibly rewarding being able to be a small part in the connection that happens between the architecture ALINE produces and the communities and organizations that deserve spaces to gather, grow, and learn in.
Fate Brewing Company, Phoenix
Q: As ALINE’s Office Manager, how do you think the workplace atmosphere influences creativity in architectural design?
A: After hearing team members share their previous workplace experience at other firms, it's evident that the workplace environment can make or break you as an architect. The foundation of ALINE is built on respect towards team members — their time, space, work methods, and ideas which is what the Brians wanted to foster when starting the firm. As Office Manager, I appreciate being able to help keep the office organized in a multitude of ways so that the team can continue designing successful projects and our workplace can continue to enable the creativity to do so.
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