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Di Wang
Design Staff
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BUILDING IN THE WORLD AND WHY?
The building designed by Thomas Heatherwick: EDEN – Singapore. I believe it offers a potentially viable solution for the future of high-density living spaces for humans and the conflict with the natural environment that seems very plausible now.
IF THEY MADE A MOVIE OF YOUR LIFE, WHICH ACTOR WOULD PLAY YOU?
Matt Damon.
IF YOU COULD BECOME REALLY GOOD AT ONE NEW THING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Freestyle swimming.
GUILTY PLEASURE?
Skateboarding on the way to work.
Isabelle Topp
Design Staff
Why Interior Design?
I love shaping people’s experiences in a space in a positive way.
THE PET I CURRENTLY HAVE is
A cat called Mikesch and a dog called Robby (who lives with my parents).
I PROBABLY NEVER WILL, BUT I SHOULD PROBABLY THROW AWAY
I have a lot of my old art, dating back even to middle school, that I’ve held on to. It takes up a lot of room and it’s not something that I would share with others, but every few years I’ll look back on it and see just how much I’ve learned since then.
Charlene Gates
Director of Business Development
Marketing / Business Development
IF I COULD SOLVE ONE PROBLEM IN THE WORLD, IT WOULD BE
Hunger.
GUILTY PLEASURE?
A combo of dark chocolate covered caramels with sea salt + red wine
I PROBABLY NEVER WILL, BUT I SHOULD PROBABLY THROW AWAY
Homemade clothing from my grandmother
Kameren Horton
Design Staff
Why Architecture?
From a young age, I’ve possessed a creative and artistic spirit. In my childhood, I would replicate and sketch cartoons from the Sunday newspaper. As I grew older, my artistic endeavors evolved, and I began sketching the ideal home I envisioned. It was only later that I fully grasped my father’s profession as an architect. It seems history has a way of repeating itself
What is your favorite building in the world and why?
My favorite building is the Galaxy Soho by Zaha Hadid. The Galaxy Soho structure is composed of four primary domed buildings interconnected by bridges and platforms. These elements link curving floor plates, forming a dynamic space that envelops various public courtyards and a central “canyon” on a larger scale.
Which type of pet do you currently have?
Currently at this moment, none.
If you could solve one problem in the world, what would it be?
Ensuring that everyone has access to an adequate amount of food and water is crucial for the well-being of communities.
If you had to give up either your smart phone or your car, which would it be?
I would give up my smart phone easily… and then go purchase another one :]
What is one item that you should probably throw away, but never will.
I throw everything away, otherwise it’ll pile up.
If they made a movie of your life, which actor would play you?
Will Smith
If you could become really good at one new thing. what would it be?
Grasping the field of construction with the depth of experience one would accumulate over two decades in the industry.
Guilty Pleasure?
Sweet Potato Pie. I don’t really eat alot of sweets but when I eat pie…. I destroy it typically between 48-72 hours.
If you could max out your credit card at any store, what store would you choose?
Neiman Marcus
Antonia Porter
Associate | Controller
Leadership
IF I COULD SOLVE ONE PROBLEM IN THE WORLD, IT WOULD BE
World Hunger
A MOVIE OF MY LIFE WOULD STAR
Clair Huxtable
I WISH I COULD LEARN
Tax law.
GUILTY PLEASURE?
Pizza
IF YOU HAD TO GIVE UP EITHER YOUR SMART PHONE OR YOUR CAR, WHICH WOULD IT BE?
My Car!
Jeff Juliano, AIA
Principal
Leadership
FAVORITE BUILDING IN THE WORLD
My favorite building is actually a renovated 19th century chicken coop. It is now a small single bedroom apartment. The building sits only a few feet from a large fresh water lake in upstate NY. It is equally spectacular in summer and winter….it is the adult version of a fort in the woods.
I PROBABLY NEVER WILL, BUT I SHOULD PROBABLY THROW AWAY
My magazine collection of PA (Progressive Architect for those too young to have heard of this publication).
Guilty PleasurE?
BBQ….pulled, never chopped.
Marisa Lopez
Design Staff
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BUILDING IN THE WORLD AND WHY?
La Sagrada Familia, it just breath taking.
WHICH TYPE OF PET DO YOU CURRENTLY HAVE?
A Yorkie, named Susy, she is extremely sweet (sometimes I wonder if she is really a Yorkie).
GUILTY PLEASURE?
Watching reality tv or a cheesy romantic comedy.
Erin Machado
Design Staff
What is one item that you should probably throw away, but never will?
A whole coconut that I caught at a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans
If they made a movie of your life, which actor would play you?
Julia Roberts
If you could become really good at one new thing, what would it be?
Learning/speaking other languages
Guilty pleasure?
Buying unnecessary things at the thrift store.
If you could max out your credit card at any store, what store would you choose?
Barnes and Noble
Fiona Grandowski, AIA, IIDA
Principal
Leadership
WHY ARCHITECTURE?
This is where we live. This is where we work. This is where we play. Design of these spaces makes a difference.
IF I HAD TO GIVE UP MY SMART PHONE OR MY CAR, IT WOULD BE
My car – I can always ride my Vespa to work 🙂
I WISH I COULD LEARN TO
Meditate.
Brett Norton
Senior Associate
Leadership
FAVORITE BUILDING IN THE WORLD
The Barcelona Pavillion. It seems to come to mind a lot.
IF I COULD SOLVE ONE PROBLEM IN THE WORLD, IT WOULD BE
There are too many people that like Decatur. Seriously. It would solve traffic.
IF THEY MADE A MOVIE OF YOUR LIFE, WHICH ACTOR WOULD PLAY YOU?
Bill Murray, I hope.
Brittany Harvell
NCARB
Design Staff
Why architecture?
Because I’m obsessed with solving puzzles…and to me, architecture is the biggest uber-puzzle of them all. There are a thousand different possibilities. What will make the space beautiful? Functional? Cost-effective? Innovative? Fun? Most impactful for the community? Each of these questions has a different answer, but when you’re able to find a way to tie all the threads together, the best reward is seeing others enjoy that little piece of the puzzle that you helped bring to life.
IF THEY MADE A MOVIE OF YOUR LIFE, WHICH ACTOR WOULD PLAY YOU?
Jennifer Lawrence starring in some quirky Wes Anderson movie.
IF I COULD MAX OUT MY CREDIT CARD AT ANY STORE, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE
REI…. And then I’d head for the mountains and you’d never see me again.
Chris Sandlin
Associate
Leadership
Why Architecture?
I enjoy critical thinking, problem solving and design… Architecture allows me to do all of these while improving the environment and positively impacting the lives of others simultaneously.
FAVORITE BUILDING IN THE WORLD
Sagrada Familia in Barcelona… I love Gaudi’s work.
GUILTY PLEASURE?
Vacation Planning.
Brittany Markey
Design Staff
FAVORITE BUILDING IN THE WORLD
Sagrada Família. This building literally moved my soul.
WHY ARCHITECTURE?
Because I believe the built environment can help promote and influence positive social interactions and experiences.
IF I COULD SOLVE ONE PROBLEM IN THE WORLD, IT WOULD BE
Lack of empathy and concern for others.
Ken Leach, AIA
Associate
Leadership
WHY ARCHITECTURE?
I enjoy seeing products of one’s imagination rise out of the ground. I remember watching time-lapse images of a building under construction on Sesame Street when I was a kid and it just captivated me. I also spent hours playing with my Blocks building “grand halls and coliseums.” Later in high school my introduction to Architecture was the works of Frank Lloyd Wright. Who doesn’t like the scenery, setting and forms of one of his most famous houses, Falling Water?
THE PETs I CURRENTLY HAVE ARE
Two horses. My wife and I pamper and spoil them. Endless fun with them.
I PROBABLY NEVER WILL, BUT I SHOULD PROBABLY THROW AWAY
My 1996 Summer Olympics sweatshirt. I have worn it every cold season for the last twenty years – It’s covered with paint and stains, torn and tattered, and will finally be retired this year.
Dawn Franklin
Associate
Leadership
WHY ARCHITECTURE?
Shelter is essential. I’ve always been interested in the decisions that influence and help create inspiring, useful, comfortable built environments.
IF I COULD SOLVE ONE PROBLEM IN THE WORLD, IT WOULD BE
To improve the treatment of women and girls everywhere and eradicate slavery. I know. That’s two problems. But we’re in my imagination right now.
GUILTY PLEASURE?
Why should any pleasure be guilty?
Ashley Odom
Design Staff
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BUILDING IN THE WORLD AND WHY?
When I was in school, I did a research project on the Guggenheim Museum in New York, and I have been fascinated with the building ever since. The organic architecture and skylight letting in natural light from above is so unique.
WHAT IS ONE ITEM THAT YOU SHOULD PROBABLY THROW AWAY, BUT NEVER WILL?
I did ballet for most of my life, and i have a lot of my old costumes and pointe shoes.
IF THEY MADE A MOVIE OF YOUR LIFE, WHICH ACTOR WOULD PLAY YOU?
Anne Hathaway
IF YOU COULD MAX OUT YOUR CREDIT CARD AT ANY STORE, WHAT STORE WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
Kendra Scott or Anthropologie
Cody Erickson
Design Staff
What is your favorite building in the world and why?
The Cologne cathedral, I believe there’s nothing quite like it.
If you could solve one problem in the world, what would it be?
Poverty.
If you could become really good at one new thing, what would it be?
Learning different languages.
If you could max out your credit card at any store, what store would you choose?
Sotheby’s international reality.
Eric Richardson, AIA
President
Leadership
WHY ARCHITECTURE?
I was always interested in the creation of spaces and manipulating my environment. We have the opportunity to affect the lives and experiences of people with our designs.
FAVORITE BUILDING IN THE WORLD
I would have to say the Pantheon in Rome. The experience of being in that singular space with the understanding that it was built almost 2000 years ago.
I PROBABLY NEVER WILL, BUT I SHOULD PROBABLY THROW AWAY
My great Grandparent’s rickety old chair.
Stacey Lucas, AIA, ASID
Design Staff
WHy architecture?
Architecture combines the arts and sciences in a way that other professions do not. Growing up I was fascinated by the shape of plants, insects, marine life and chaos theory. I am a problem-solver by nature. Spatial design problems satisfy my constant need to organize what I see or encounter around me.
FAVORITE BUILDING IN THE WORLD
I would travel back to Prague to visit the 1930 modernist Villa Mueller by Adolf Loos again.
FEEL FREE TO SHARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR PROFESSIONAL CAREER
I have worked on a variety of project types, including the Hall of Fame for the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium, New England Office of the EPA and US Bankruptcy Courts, Sidra Medical & Research Clinic in Doha, Qatar, the Old North Church in Boston, Kaya Winery in Dahlonega, US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team HQ at Fort Bragg, Berckmans Place at Augusta National, and the Delta Flight Museum.