Andrea is a creative, driven architect here at Shepley Bulfinch who finds joy in designing spaces that are aesthetically pleasing and promote overall wellness. Viewing design elements as puzzle pieces, Andrea rearranges the pieces until they fall into a place that makes sense programmatically and sustainably.
Read more on Andrea’s approach to design and how she’s overcome design challenges to grow professionally.
Can you tell us the “backstory” about what brought you to this career path?
Entering college, I thought I wanted to pursue a business career, however, as I began taking foundational courses, I realized I craved a more creative career path. After this realization, I sought advice from my parents who suggested looking into a career in architecture. They reminded me of the joy I found through creative outlets as a kid, recalling the time I designed and created a pair of high heels out of newspaper. I came to the realization architecture was the perfect career for me, and I’ve never looked back.
What are you most passionate about?
What I like most about being an architect is the ability to create a space that the user can enjoy that is aesthetically pleasing and that makes sense programmatically and sustainably. Designing a beautiful and functional space requires an immense amount of thought and planning. The various design elements are like puzzle pieces, you need to move them around and rearrange them until they fall into place. It’s such a gratifying feeling when the pieces all come together to create a built environment.
What are you most proud of accomplishing?
I feel a strong sense of accomplishment for one project in particular, Uncommon Flagstaff, a mixed-use student-housing complex in Flagstaff, AZ. This project is special to me because I worked on it from inception to completion, presenting me with the chance to learn how to work through complex on-site problems with my team. This project also stands out to me because of how it respects and responds to the local Flagstaff environment. The uniquely designed urban development features pitched roofs, reflecting the nearby mountains, locally inspired topographic wall coverings, organic textiles, and biophilic touches to enhance user wellness. The project posed challenges and opportunities for me to grow professionally and demonstrate how the built environment can sustainably respond to the natural environment.
What do you do for fun in your spare time?
I love being active whether it’s taking a barre or spin class, hitting the gym to weightlift, or getting outside for a hike. It’s a chance to take care of my mental and physical wellness. A guilty pleasure of mine is keeping up with pop culture – staying up to date with celebrities, fashion trends, and reality TV.
