Alumni News

While my career has taken me in a direction that has diverged from the Health & Wellness project type – primarily institutional and residential work – it really is true that Health and Wellness have a practical application across many project types. Most recently I’ve had the opportunity apply that knowledge to my experience with restorative justice centers. Rather than designing traditional places of detention, we are seeking to flip the script and make these facilities instead places of reformation and reeducation, reducing recidivism through biophilic design, natural daylight, views and access to nature, direct supervision, educational programs, and continuous support. [email protected] courtesy of DLR Group

I am a 2013 graduate of the Health and Wellness Program.  Through the program I interned at ACI Boland and received the Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification.  After graduating, I joined NSPJ Architects where I design and manage multifamily residential projects.  I am thrilled to work on projects that create large communities and impact so many lives.  With the increased focus on assisted living and senior housing I is very excited to develop healthy environments through design, and to be part of a firm that promotes research through the Howard Nearing / NSPJ Housing Studio Fund.  Then project shown is the Copper Ridge Apartments in liberty, MO (courtesy of NSPJ). [email protected]

When I decided to pursue the Health and Wellness program, I knew very little about healthcare architecture other than my desire to make it better. The program armed me with the knowledge and experience to begin to fulfil this desire while also elevating my career path trajectory almost immediately.  After graduating from KU in 2013, I worked at local healthcare architecture firms where I fostered my passion and acumen for this specialization. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work with unique Healthcare clients including Methodist Health System and UT Southwestern Medical Center. [email protected] Image courtesy of Hoefer Wysocki

I went on to study at Columbia University and graduated with an MS in Advanced Architectural Design in 2015. I worked with Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects designing corporate headquarter facilities and helped to lead PCPA’s R&D efforts. In 2018, I relocated to Kansas City and now work with HOK designing sports facilities. I have also assisted in teaching graduate design studios at Columbia and KU. [email protected]

The Health and Wellness program was a pivotal part of my education. I learned so much about architecture that can’t be taught in the classroom or studio. Having a seven-month internship allowed me to become fully integrated with my projects, teams, and firm as a whole. I enjoyed my experience with Hoefer Wysocki so much I decided to join the team full time following my internship. Now, nearly seven years after beginning my Health and Wellness journey, I am still working within the firm’s healthcare studio and love being a part of the Hoefer Wysocki family! The project shown is the Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic in Mobile, AL (courtesy of Hoefer Wysocki). [email protected]