The Society’s award-winning Emerging Leaders in Architecture (ELA) program was developed to jump-start the careers of young professionals. Conceived of and lead by a passionate steering committee of successful architects, the program was designed to share the things they wished they had learned in architecture school.
Each of the seven day-long-sessions focus on developing essential skills like financial management, communication and negotiation, advocacy and public service, and much more.
Want to be a member of this elite group of leaders? Contact Wayne Conners to find how to apply for the 2014 class.
We were curious about them, so we asked members of the ELA class of 2013 the same five questions, and this is what they had to say.
Anna Elizabeth Lockwood, Assoc. AIA
Q: What building evoked a strong reaction from you recently—either positive or negative?
A: The Monticello Hotel in Norfolk, or rather, an old photo that I saw recently that was taken during its demolition. It reinforced my belief that there is a place for the old amongst the new, and that while it is important for cities to continue to build and grow, we must be thoughtful in guiding the direction of our progress in order to preserve the souls of the places that we build upon.
Q: What is the last book you read?
A: I’m in the middle of studying for the ARE, so anything else that I pick up tends to be easy and entertaining. Right now, between reading chapters on Structures, I’m reading The Sookie Stackhouse Novels by Charlaine Harris; they are goofy and charming.
Q: How did you discover your passion for architecture?
A: I discovered my passion for architecture when I realized that it was the meeting place of reason and intuition; a melding of mathematics and art. As a child, I loved art and would entertain myself completely by drawing for hours on end. As I grew older, I discovered my love for mathematics. Practicing architecture gives me opportunities to find the balance between both passions.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do to relax?
A: Running, hiking, camping, going to the beach, disc golf — I find basically any outdoor activity to be extremely relaxing.
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring architects?
A: Be versatile and work hard. Learn that there is so much to learn that you will never run out of opportunities to grow.
Scott Campbell, AIA
Q: What building evoked a strong reaction from you recently—either positive or negative?
A: The Taubman Museum of Art by Randall Stout evoked mixed reactions. While the ‘Gehryesque’ exterior forms are not my cup of tea, the interior spaces are quite striking.
Q: What is the last book you read?
A: “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coehlo
Q: How did you discover your passion for architecture?
A: I’ve always had a deep interest in architecture, but my real passion for it emerged when I did several studios in Chicago while in architecture school. The volume and quality of architecture in Chicago is inspiring.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do to relax?
A: Have a cold beer while reading a book on the beach.
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring architects?
A: Ask questions. Learning from others in the profession is an invaluable resource.
Carmine Aniello Cafiero, Assoc. AIA
Q: What building evoked a strong reaction from you recently—either positive or negative?
A: Tom Kundig’s The Brain. Kundig shows a masterful use of materiality with an elegantly simple and deliberate approach to space making.
Q: What is the last book you read?
A: Non-Fiction: “The Poisoner’s Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York” by Deborah Blum
Fiction: “The Camel Club” by David Baldacci
Q: How did you discover your passion for architecture?
A: My great-uncle was one of the architectural illustrators for the World Trade Center complex in ’73. He had copies of the renderings, in addition to plans, sketches, and other drawings of the projects he was working on, in his office and I would just get lost in them when we visited.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do to relax?
A: Watching predictable crime dramas on TV with my wife Stacey and exercise – not at the same time
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring architects?
A: 5 quotes:
“Talent is God-Given. Be Humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.” -John Wooden
“Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing; it was here first.” -Mark Twain
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” -Dr. Seuss
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest achievement.”-Ralph Waldo Emerson
“The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are: hard work, stick-to-it-iveness, and common sense.” -Thomas Alva Edison
Nick Knodt
Q: What building evoked a strong reaction from you recently—either positive or negative?
A: Most recently, the Paris Opera House struck me with its fantastic networks of pathways interwoven with its highly complex program.
Q: What is the last book you read?
A: “The Seduction of Place” by Joseph Rykwert.
Q: How did you discover your passion for architecture?
A: I discovered my passion for architecture while growing up in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., wishing to help design the next generation of suburban communities.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do to relax?
A: Get lost in a city.
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring architects?
A: Find an architect with a body of work that inspires you and thoroughly study their design process and built work.
Erin Webb, Assoc. AIA
Q: What building evoked a strong reaction from you recently—either positive or negative?
A: Thorncrown Chapel by Fay Jones
Q: What is the last book you read?
A: “The Great Gatsby” (again)
Q: How did you discover your passion for architecture?
A: Slowly and over time. I can’t say that I knew I would be an architect when I was little, although I did ensure that Barbie always had nice digs. Art was always an interest of mine and it gradually morphed into art in the built environment.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do to relax?
A: Singing (in my car) or spending time with my pug, Dottie
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring architects?
A: Work hard, ask questions, be observant, and have fun with design.
Brad Lockwood, Assoc. AIA
Q: What building evoked a strong reaction from you recently—either positive or negative?
A: Fondation Beyeler by Renzo Piano. I really enjoy how he composed the building around the primary idea of expressing a piece of art, Monet’s lily pad, through his architecture.
Q: What is the last book you read?
A: “The Road” by Cormac MacCarthy and Kaplan ARE 4.0 study guides.
Q: How did you discover your passion for architecture?
A: I love art and I love putting things together, so it was a natural fit.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do to relax?
A: When I’m not working or spending time with my beautiful wife, Anna, you can find me under my Jeep Comanche with a wrench or on the beach with my yellow lab, Troeg.
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring architects?
A: Find a mentor. Not every architect is worth emulating, but there are a lot of great folks out there that are and they are often times willing to take young architects under their wing. Mentors will help you tremendously in your development by allowing you both opportunities to succeed as well as opportunities to make mistakes. I have had been blessed with unbelievable mentors in my career so far.
Hazel M. Eclarinal-Lai, Assoc. AIA
Q: What building evoked a strong reaction from you recently—either positive or negative?
A: Not necessarily a strong reaction; but wherever I travel, all airports are looking the same.
Q: What is the last book you read?
A: “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” by Susan Cain
Q: How did you discover your passion for architecture?
A: By the age of 8, I was drafting floor plans of my dream house.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do to relax?
A: Not too healthy or intellectual, but I enjoy a marathon of a great TV show — not reality ones.
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring architects?
A: Brace yourself for a lifetime commitment.
Camila Paggi
Q: What building evoked a strong reaction from you recently—either positive or negative?
A: The Richland County Public Library in Columbia, SC. I would just say, you have to visit and sit inside for a few minutes to experience the calm, peaceful, and a beautiful mixture of nature and architecture.
Q: What is the last book you read?
A: “The Kite Runner,” which I would recommend to everyone. Khaled Hosseini’s writing is inspiring.
Q: How did you discover your passion for architecture?
A: My family is from El Salvador, a third world country, so at a young age I knew that I wanted to help those who were living in poverty and create something good for them. I think design should be accessible to everyone.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do to relax?
A: Playing piano, by far, is one of the only things that truly relaxes me. I can play as aggressively as I want and express every ounce of stress or frustration I am going through. Finally when I am calm, I like to end with a piece like the Moonlight Sonata and all the stress just melts away.
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring architects?
A: As an aspiring architect myself, I think the best advice I could give is to draw every day. It was a piece of advice given to me freshman year in undergrad and I could not agree more.
Raedun de Alba
Q: What building evoked a strong reaction from you recently—either positive or negative?
A: The Thomas Jefferson Middle School and Community Center. While it’s not an architectural marvel, it is simultaneously a school, a theater, a gym, a community center, a church, and much more.
Q: What is the last book you read?
A: “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” by Junot Díaz
Q: How did you discover your passion for architecture?
A: In sixth grade while making a 3-dimensional paper house.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do to relax?
A: A bike ride on the Mount Vernon Trail.
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring architects?
A: Sketch. Draw. Doodle. And explore the world around you.
Carl Schwarz, AIA
Q: What building evoked a strong reaction from you recently—either positive or negative?
A: My fixer-upper house: As insignificant and run-down as it may be, it’s where I use my own hands to experiment with architecture, it’s a source of pride, and nothing makes me feel more at ease than home.
Q: What is the last book you read?
A: “Keeping Chickens” by Jeremy Hobson and Celia Lewis
Q: How did you discover your passion for architecture?
A: I honestly can’t remember. Some of my earliest memories are of creating imaginary places, whether on paper, in the sand, or with whatever scraps I could find.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do to relax?
A: Work in my garden – my overgrown adult sandbox.
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring architects?
A: Maintain all your interests and passions — architecture can be whatever you want to make of it, but it helps to leave all your doors open.
Brooke Emlen Kariu, AIA
Q: What building evoked a strong reaction from you recently—either positive or negative?
A: Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver. I used to go there weekly, the building reacts so well with the street and the light. I love the transition from the sidewalk into the museum.
Q: What is the last book you read?
A: “Blue Highways”
Q: How did you discover your passion for architecture?
A: My dad is an architect. I never much consider another profession. I was always drawn to art, physics, and math. There aren’t many other opportunities to combine all of those interests.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do to relax?
A: Being from Colorado I am all mountains, I love to get outside. Biking, hiking, running, yoga, and I have just started rock climbing.
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring architects?
A: I wish I had double majored in business, so learn the business side of architecture early. Get experience on as many different types of projects as you can. And there will always be another deadline, make your well being a priority.
Christina K. Laney
Q: What building evoked a strong reaction from you recently—either positive or negative?
A: Most recently, I was positively impacted by the design of the America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis, MO (my hometown). My prom was held here, but I am just now appreciating the facade!
Q: What is the last book you read?
A: I am currently reading “Successful Women Think Differently” by Valorie Burton. It is an interactive read, and shares the viewpoints of many inspirational leaders.
Q: How did you discover your passion for architecture?
A: My classmates and I visited the architecture firm of a fellow student’s dad in elementary school. I loved the creativity, the technology and how chic everyone looked.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do to relax?
A: I love dancing and talking to myself when I need to calm down. (…only child problems.)
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring architects?
A: I encourage all aspiring architects to vigorously read and write! Though our field is based in imagery, innovative articles, tutorials, thesis projects and even specification documents rely on communicating through writing and comprehension.