On today’s episode of Architectette we welcome Chrissie Davis.
Chrissie is a general contractor and founder of San Jose based, Incorage. She partners with developers, subcontractors, and the larger development community to build multi-family and mixed-use housing across the Bay Area.
In this episode, we also explore her previous role as President of CORE Builders, where she led the company to triple its business, making it the 25th largest general contractor in Silicon Valley and the “best residential contractor to work for with under 50 employees” in 2023. As President, Chrissie was proud of cultivating a diverse team, comprised of 50% women and 75% people of color, and aims to create a similar environment of success and inclusion as she expands Incorage.
We talk about:
- Chrissie’s career as a general contractor and how she grew from Assistant Project Manager to President.
- Chrissie elaborates on her strategies for growth including system implementation, market expansion, and business development that helped CORE Builders grow from $30 million to $100 million in revenue.
- We next talk about how the lack of diversity and representation of women leadership of general contracting firms in the Bay Area influenced her to start her own company.
- We hear about Chrissie’s passion for affordable housing, landing Incorage’s first project, managing her routine and workload as a solopreneur, and the power of gratitude, journaling, and Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In.
Links:
Connect with Chrissie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissie-davis-general-contractor/
Books mentioned on the podcast:
Architectette Bookshop
Architectette Podcast Website: www.architectette.com
Connect with the pod on LinkedIn, Instagram (@architectette), and TikTok (@architectette)
Exclusive Content on our Newsletter: www.architectette.com
Support the podcast on Patreon: https://patreon.com/Architectette?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay.
On today’s episode of Architectette we talk with Darla Powell. Darla is an award-winning interior designer, podcast host, social media speaker, and former police detective. But she is also the founder of Wingnut Social; a marketing firm that specializes in strategic planning, social media management, and SEO for interior designers.
We talk about:
- The ins and outs of Darla’s career progression from starting in law enforcement, transitioning to interior designer, and then becoming a social media marketing firm owner.
- We talk about using Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn as outreach tools and why content-driven marketing and consistent posting are cornerstones of every successful brand.
- We next discuss the organic founding of and rapid growth of Wingnut Social. Darla walks us through the experience of being her client and how her team works with each company to identify their unique style, voice, and goals to craft impactful, personalized branding.
- Finally, we discuss a few case studies where Wingnut Social’s advice has transformed a small interior design business into a viral phenomenon. We chat about the impact of Wingnut Social’s podcast- Designed by Wingnut Social, and the importance of infusing personality when speaking to online audiences.
Links:
Website: https://wingnutsocial.com
Wingnut Social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/
Darla Powell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wingnutsocial
Architectette Podcast Website: www.architectette.com
Connect with the pod on LinkedIn, Instagram (@architectette), and TikTok (@architectette)
Exclusive Content on our Newsletter: www.architectette.com
Support the podcast on Patreon: https://patreon.com/Architectette?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay.
On today’s episode of Architectette we are joined by Ming Thompson and Christina Cho Yoo, the founders of Atelier Cho Thompson (ACT), a New Haven and San Francisco based multidisciplinary practice working between architecture, interiors, graphics, and strategy.
ACT's work frequently blurs the boundaries between typologies, as they draw inspiration from their work in schools, museums, offices, restaurants, and homes around the world. The firm has been awarded numerous national and regional design honors and has been featured in Metropolis, Architect Magazine, Interior Design Magazine, and at the Venice Architecture Biennale.
We talk about:
- The origin story of ACT and how Ming and Christina were inspired by a Parking Day collaboration to start their own firm to pursue projects that complemented their diverse sets of skills and passions.
- Entrepreneurship and Motherhood: Ming and Christina talk about establishing a business while growing their families and how even though they themselves didn’t take maternity leave, we talk about how each founder works hard to make sure their employees are able to do so.
- The catalyst for expanding their San Francisco practice with an office in New Haven, CT. We talk about virtual collaboration, expanding in a new market, and how the firm was well-prepared for the hybrid shift that caught so many businesses off guard during the pandemic.
- We end by discussing Ming and Christina’s work to advance women and the AAPI community, their favorite projects, impactful pro bono work, public art installations, and how the firm has established and expanded their reputation for gorgeous, design-rich spaces
Links:
ACT's Website: www.chothompson.com
Architectette Podcast Website: www.architectette.com
Connect with the pod on LinkedIn, Instagram (@architectette), and TikTok (@architectette)
Exclusive Content on our Newsletter: www.architectette.com
Support the podcast on Patreon: https://patreon.com/Architectette?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay.
On today’s episode of Architectette we welcome guest Maria Killam. Maria is a decorator, stylist, educator on all things colour, and pioneer in the design industry with over 500,000 followers online. Maria’s brand is built on the solid foundation of timeless design principles and her groundbreaking system for identifying and describing colour. She’s been a featured colour expert everywhere from House Beautiful and HGTV to Apartment Therapy and the Washington Post.
We talk about:
- How Maria’s business evolved from an ad in the Yellow Pages to a thriving global business with over 8 streams of income ranging from digital products to e-design services.
- Maria shares about her color expertise and how her tools have revolutionized how designers and homeowners pick the perfect neutrals and whites.
- We next discuss timeless design vs trends. Maria shares her opinion on the resurgence of beige, why stark black and white exteriors are on the decline, and how she advises on creating long lasting and loved spaces.
- We end with an exclusive look at Maria’s personal design choices for her home- a property she bought in recent years and has been renovating. We chat about her strategy for layering lamps, her unexpected choices of cheetah and leopard carpet, and other ways she has customized her colorful and cozy home.
Links:
Maria's Website: https://mariakillam.com/
Connect with Maria: https://www.instagram.com/mariakillam/
Architectette Podcast Website: www.architectette.com
Connect with the pod on LinkedIn, Instagram (@architectette), and TikTok (@architectette)
Exclusive Content on our Newsletter: www.architectette.com
Support the podcast on Patreon: https://patreon.com/Architectette?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay.
This week on Architectette, we’re spotlighting the voices of recent graduates from architecture programs across the globe. We asked all of our guests the same questions to gain insight into their unique experiences as they transition from academia to professional practice.
From how the pandemic shaped their academic experience to the movie that best describes their studio life, we dive deep into the highs and lows of their time in school. You'll hear some of the best pieces of advice they received during critiques, their thoughts on navigating internships, and the challenges of job hunting. We also asked about the surprises they encountered when they first entered the workplace, mentorship and management, and how they're learning in hybrid environments.
Finally, we asked our guests to look toward the future: we chat about how they plan to approach their AREs, what advice they'd give to the next class of graduates, and what they hope their legacy will be when they retire.
Joanna Smerina is an architectural designer actively pursuing licensure. As a graduate of Drexel University’s 2+4 Architecture program, she earned a Bachelor’s in Architecture with a minor in Construction Management, completed her AXP hours, and is now preparing for her Architectural Registration Exams. She has received awards for her leadership and design skills and was President of Drexel’s AIAS Chapter.
Here's what we asked:
1. Introductions: what is your name, where did you go to school, when did you graduate?
2. How did the pandemic affect your academic experience?
3. If you had to describe your studio experience as a movie, which would you pick and why?
4. What was an impactful critique or piece of advice you received during a crit?
5. Did you intern during school?
6. Describe the job application process. Do you have tips for others regarding reaching out, interview questions, portfolio preparation, or software readiness?
7. When applying to firms, what factors were most important to you?
8. Did you negotiate any aspects of your offer? (salary, PTO, schedule?)
9. Once working, what is something about the practice of architecture that surprised you? What is something that you had to overcome?
10. Is it challenging to learn in a hybrid environment? How do you learn/ interact with colleagues?
11. If you were a manager of recent grads, how would you mentor them?
12. Do you plan on taking your AREs? What is your timeline? Did you accrue AXP hours during school?
13. What advice would you give to next year's graduates?
14. 40 years from now, when you retire, what do you hope is highlighted in your career description?
Links:
Learn more about Joanna’s work:
https://issuu.com/aia_philadelphia/docs/fall_2021_context_issue
https://issuu.com/joannasmerina/docs/smerina_j_2024archseniorproj
https://www.instagram.com/artworkby_joannasmerina/
Connect with Joanna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-smerina-48547a192/
New Work Design Architects: https://www.newyorkdesign.com/
Architectette Podcast Website: www.architectette.com
Connect with the pod on LinkedIn, Instagram (@architectette), and TikTok (@architectette)
Exclusive Content on our Newsletter: www.architectette.com
Support the podcast on Patreon: https://patreon.com/Architectette?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay.
This week on Architectette, we’re spotlighting the voices of recent graduates from architecture programs across the globe. We asked all of our guests the same questions to gain insight into their unique experiences as they transition from academia to professional practice.
From how the pandemic shaped their academic experience to the movie that best describes their studio life, we dive deep into the highs and lows of their time in school. You'll hear some of the best pieces of advice they received during critiques, their thoughts on navigating internships, and the challenges of job hunting. We also asked about the surprises they encountered when they first entered the workplace, mentorship and management, and how they're learning in hybrid environments.
Finally, we asked our guests to look toward the future: we chat about how they plan to approach their AREs, what advice they'd give to the next class of graduates, and what they hope their legacy will be when they retire.
Maithili Awasarikar is a passionate architectural designer and planner in the healthcare sector. She strives to design healthcare facilities beyond the medical program, integrating human well-being with innovative medical planning. She graduated from Clemson and works in Philadelphia.
Here's what we asked:
1. Introductions: what is your name, where did you go to school, when did you graduate?
2. How did the pandemic affect your academic experience?
3. If you had to describe your studio experience as a movie, which would you pick and why?
4. What was an impactful critique or piece of advice you received during a crit?
5. Did you intern during school?
6. Describe the job application process. Do you have tips for others regarding reaching out, interview questions, portfolio preparation, or software readiness?
7. When applying to firms, what factors were most important to you?
8. Did you negotiate any aspects of your offer? (salary, PTO, schedule?)
9. Once working, what is something about the practice of architecture that surprised you? What is something that you had to overcome?
10. Is it challenging to learn in a hybrid environment? How do you learn/ interact with colleagues?
11. If you were a manager of recent grads, how would you mentor them?
12. Do you plan on taking your AREs? What is your timeline? Did you accrue AXP hours during school?
13. What advice would you give to next year's graduates?
14. 40 years from now, when you retire, what do you hope is highlighted in your career description?
Links:
Connect with Maithili on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maithiliawasarikar/
Architectette Podcast Website: www.architectette.com
Connect with the pod on LinkedIn, Instagram (@architectette), and TikTok (@architectette)
Exclusive Content on our Newsletter: www.architectette.com
Support the podcast on Patreon: https://patreon.com/Architectette?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay.
This week on Architectette, we’re spotlighting the voices of recent graduates from architecture programs across the globe. We asked all of our guests the same questions to gain insight into their unique experiences as they transition from academia to professional practice.
From how the pandemic shaped their academic experience to the movie that best describes their studio life, we dive deep into the highs and lows of their time in school. You'll hear some of the best pieces of advice they received during critiques, their thoughts on navigating internships, and the challenges of job hunting. We also asked about the surprises they encountered when they first entered the workplace, mentorship and management, and how they're learning in hybrid environments.
Finally, we asked our guests to look toward the future: we chat about how they plan to approach their AREs, what advice they'd give to the next class of graduates, and what they hope their legacy will be when they retire.
Victoria Clarke holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Oregon, where she focused on advanced building technologies and sustainability. Now working at The Miller Hull Partnership in Seattle, she continues to develop her interest and skills in high performance design across project types.
Here's what we asked:
1. Introductions: what is your name, where did you go to school, when did you graduate?
2. How did the pandemic affect your academic experience?
3. If you had to describe your studio experience as a movie, which would you pick and why?
4. What was an impactful critique or piece of advice you received during a crit?
5. Did you intern during school?
6. Describe the job application process. Do you have tips for others regarding reaching out, interview questions, portfolio preparation, or software readiness?
7. When applying to firms, what factors were most important to you?
8. Did you negotiate any aspects of your offer? (salary, PTO, schedule?)
9. Once working, what is something about the practice of architecture that surprised you? What is something that you had to overcome?
10. Is it challenging to learn in a hybrid environment? How do you learn/ interact with colleagues?
11. If you were a manager of recent grads, how would you mentor them?
12. Do you plan on taking your AREs? What is your timeline? Did you accrue AXP hours during school?
13. What advice would you give to next year's graduates?
14. 40 years from now, when you retire, what do you hope is highlighted in your career description?
Links:
Connect with Tori on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriamclarke/
Architectette Podcast Website: www.architectette.com
Connect with the pod on LinkedIn, Instagram (@architectette), and TikTok (@architectette)
Exclusive Content on our Newsletter: www.architectette.com
Support the podcast on Patreon: https://patreon.com/Architectette?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay.
This week on Architectette, we’re spotlighting the voices of recent graduates from architecture programs across the globe. We asked all of our guests the same questions to gain insight into their unique experiences as they transition from academia to professional practice.
From how the pandemic shaped their academic experience to the movie that best describes their studio life, we dive deep into the highs and lows of their time in school. You'll hear some of the best pieces of advice they received during critiques, their thoughts on navigating internships, and the challenges of job hunting. We also asked about the surprises they encountered when they first entered the workplace, mentorship and management, and how they're learning in hybrid environments.
Finally, we asked our guests to look toward the future: we chat about how they plan to approach their AREs, what advice they'd give to the next class of graduates, and what they hope their legacy will be when they retire.
Lauren Maloney recently graduated from the University of Kansas as a part of their 5-year Master of Architecture program. While there, she developed a focus in Health and Wellness architecture and looks forward to making a difference in healthcare settings as an Associate at a firm in the Midwest.
Here's what we asked:
1. Introductions: what is your name, where did you go to school, when did you graduate?
2. How did the pandemic affect your academic experience?
3. If you had to describe your studio experience as a movie, which would you pick and why?
4. What was an impactful critique or piece of advice you received during a crit?
5. Did you intern during school?
6. Describe the job application process. Do you have tips for others regarding reaching out, interview questions, portfolio preparation, or software readiness?
7. When applying to firms, what factors were most important to you?
8. Did you negotiate any aspects of your offer? (salary, PTO, schedule?)
9. Once working, what is something about the practice of architecture that surprised you? What is something that you had to overcome?
10. Is it challenging to learn in a hybrid environment? How do you learn/ interact with colleagues?
11. If you were a manager of recent grads, how would you mentor them?
12. Do you plan on taking your AREs? What is your timeline? Did you accrue AXP hours during school?
13. What advice would you give to next year's graduates?
14. 40 years from now, when you retire, what do you hope is highlighted in your career description?
Links:
Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/laurenmaloney38
Architectette Podcast Website: www.architectette.com
Connect with the pod on LinkedIn, Instagram (@architectette), and TikTok (@architectette)
Exclusive Content on our Newsletter: www.architectette.com
Support the podcast on Patreon: https://patreon.com/Architectette?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay.
This week on Architectette, we’re spotlighting the voices of recent graduates from architecture programs across the globe. We asked all of our guests the same questions to gain insight into their unique experiences as they transition from academia to professional practice.
From how the pandemic shaped their academic experience to the movie that best describes their studio life, we dive deep into the highs and lows of their time in school. You'll hear some of the best pieces of advice they received during critiques, their thoughts on navigating internships, and the challenges of job hunting. We also asked about the surprises they encountered when they first entered the workplace, mentorship and management, and how they're learning in hybrid environments.
Finally, we asked our guests to look toward the future: we chat about how they plan to approach their AREs, what advice they'd give to the next class of graduates, and what they hope their legacy will be when they retire.
Sofia Daly is a recent Master of Architecture graduate from the University of Oregon. After feeling unfulfilled in business school and isolated during the pandemic, Sofia decided to make a major career shift with hopes of establishing close client relationships and promoting empathy through design. Sofia is now navigating the architecture field through single-family residential projects at a design/build firm in Eugene, OR.
Here's what we asked:
1. Introductions: what is your name, where did you go to school, when did you graduate?
2. How did the pandemic affect your academic experience?
3. If you had to describe your studio experience as a movie, which would you pick and why?
4. What was an impactful critique or piece of advice you received during a crit?
5. Did you intern during school?
6. Describe the job application process. Do you have tips for others regarding reaching out, interview questions, portfolio preparation, or software readiness?
7. When applying to firms, what factors were most important to you?
8. Did you negotiate any aspects of your offer? (salary, PTO, schedule?)
9. Once working, what is something about the practice of architecture that surprised you? What is something that you had to overcome?
10. Is it challenging to learn in a hybrid environment? How do you learn/ interact with colleagues?
11. If you were a manager of recent grads, how would you mentor them?
12. Do you plan on taking your AREs? What is your timeline? Did you accrue AXP hours during school?
13. What advice would you give to next year's graduates?
14. 40 years from now, when you retire, what do you hope is highlighted in your career description?
Links:
Architectette Podcast Website: www.architectette.com
Connect with the pod on LinkedIn, Instagram (@architectette), and TikTok (@architectette)
Exclusive Content on our Newsletter: www.architectette.com
Support the podcast on Patreon: https://patreon.com/Architectette?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay.
This week on Architectette, we’re spotlighting the voices of recent graduates from architecture programs across the globe. We asked all of our guests the same questions to gain insight into their unique experiences as they transition from academia to professional practice.
From how the pandemic shaped their academic experience to the movie that best describes their studio life, we dive deep into the highs and lows of their time in school. You'll hear some of the best pieces of advice they received during critiques, their thoughts on navigating internships, and the challenges of job hunting. We also asked about the surprises they encountered when they first entered the workplace, mentorship and management, and how they're learning in hybrid environments.
Finally, we asked our guests to look toward the future: we chat about how they plan to approach their AREs, what advice they'd give to the next class of graduates, and what they hope their legacy will be when they retire.
Nikita Daptardar is an architect and artist who graduated this year from BNCA, Pune, with a focus on digital architecture and computation. She likes to blend traditional Indian techniques with modern design trends.
Here's what we asked:
1. Introductions: what is your name, where did you go to school, when did you graduate?
2. How did the pandemic affect your academic experience?
3. If you had to describe your studio experience as a movie, which would you pick and why?
4. What was an impactful critique or piece of advice you received during a crit?
5. Did you intern during school?
6. Describe the job application process. Do you have tips for others regarding reaching out, interview questions, portfolio preparation, or software readiness?
7. When applying to firms, what factors were most important to you?
8. Did you negotiate any aspects of your offer? (salary, PTO, schedule?)
9. Once working, what is something about the practice of architecture that surprised you? What is something that you had to overcome?
10. Is it challenging to learn in a hybrid environment? How do you learn/ interact with colleagues?
11. If you were a manager of recent grads, how would you mentor them?
12. Do you plan on taking your AREs? What is your timeline? Did you accrue AXP hours during school?
13. What advice would you give to next year's graduates?
14. 40 years from now, when you retire, what do you hope is highlighted in your career description?
Links:
Connect with Nikita on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikugraphy/?hl=en
Connect with Nikita on LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/in/nikita-daptardar-660211248
Architectette Podcast Website: www.architectette.com
Connect with the pod on LinkedIn, Instagram (@architectette), and TikTok (@architectette)
Exclusive Content on our Newsletter: www.architectette.com
Support the podcast on Patreon: https://patreon.com/Architectette?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay.