As a part of an ongoing series, the following is an interview to dig a little bit deeper and learn what makes our team tick, what fascinates us about the design industry, and what is most important to us right now.
Jordan is an Associate with a passion for her home of East Boston. She is highly involved in her community, currently working on a grant with Urban Land Institute (ULI) and Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH), planning for climate change. The grant is funded by the Kresge Foundation.
K: How long have you been at AST?
J: I started at Arrowstreet just about a year ago.
K: What projects are you currently working on?
J: I’m working on the Massport Garage, which is under construction right now. My role is to finalize shop drawings of the kinetic façade and aluminum fins. I’m also working as a Junior Project Architect at 40 Water Street on the Congress Square project, with a focus on the curtain wall design and detailing.
K: Where do you like to find your inspiration?
J: It’s in people: clients, users, neighbors, community members, co-workers, friends, and family. Whether it’s a consultant or a community delegate, I find opportunities to learn from everyone involved in projects, expanding my perspective, creativity and expertise.
K: Who is your mentor and how has that person affected your career?
J: I’m lucky to have several, but Yanel DeAngel, Associate Principal at Perkins + Will, is the first to come to mind. We have worked on many projects together, including a Zero Net Energy Building pilot study, associated research publications, and presentations. Yanel’s encouragement to get out of my comfort zone has led me to become a leader and to cultivate my presentation skills. Although we no longer work in the same office, Yanel still serves as a mentor and supports me in my career growth.
K: Have you recently read or seen any that has really spoken to you on a professional level?
J: The diagram above has always hit the nail on the head for me. I’ve found the circle of “people I enjoy working with” here at Arrowstreet, and as a result of those people, I’ve become a member of a team that produces high-quality work done by invested individuals.
K: What is the most important thing to you for furthering your career?
J: My goal is to continue furthering my technical knowledge as an architect on a broad range of construction and project types. Additionally, it’s important to take the time to mentor others and/or work collaboratively through challenges with my team no matter how busy I get in the day to day.
Topics: Interview, Sustainability