I believe everyone deserves excellence in design. For me, empathy is embedded in every design decision, not only in how we consider the people who will inhabit a space, but also in how we respond to its surroundings and the natural environment. Thoughtful design begins with understanding and respecting both people and place.
What drives you?
Place. It is at the center of how I think about architecture, design, and the world around me. Every place has its own history, culture, landscape, and identity, and I’m driven by the process of understanding those qualities before designing within them. I believe the best design grows from that understanding, creating environments that feel authentic, connected, and meaningful to the people who experience them.
What's an untapped passion you'd like to devote more time to?
While studying abroad, I discovered a passion for watercolor painting, particularly landscapes and urban environments. Painting has become one of my favorite ways to experience and understand a new place. It encourages me to slow down, observe my surroundings more closely, and engage with them in a meaningful way. I also enjoy how it naturally invites conversation, as people often stop to ask about what I’m painting or share their own stories about the place.
What’s one of your favorite places in the Midwest?
The last remnants of the tallgrass prairie. Visiting these landscapes feels like stepping back in time, to before human development transformed the region. It's a place where everything exists in balance, from the bison to the prairie fires that sustain the ecosystem. Being there is a powerful reminder of the beauty and resilience of the natural world.
Education
Kansas State University (MArch)
