The bright future of architecture's rising stars

Each year AIA's Young Architect Award is presented to a group of early career architects who showcase exceptional leadership and have already provided significant contributions to the architecture profession.

We spoke with six recent recipients about what drew them to architecture, the most fulfilling aspect of being an architect, their dream project, and more. Stay tuned for a second part with more Young Architect Award winners in the future.

What first drew you to architecture?

Shannon Gathings, AIA, Duvall Decker Architects, P.A.: At a high school summer design camp, I had the realization that every space I experienced was designed by someone.  All of these spaces shaped my life in so many ways, it made me curious, why couldn't I be the person who decides what form and space should be?

Jason Takeuchi AIA, Ferraro Choi and Associates, Ltd.: For a high school essay on what I want to be when I grow up, my mom suggested that I look at architecture. From there, I realized that playing with Legos and sketching throughout my childhood was worth it, and I never looked back.

Kate Thuesen, AIA, DLR Group: My grandfather, Chuck, a small-town carpenter and architect who I revered growing up. His integrity, creativity, kindness, and prolific work inspired me.

Chris Haedt, AIA, DesignGroup: Ever since I was four, I've known that I wanted to be an architect. I would spend hours building cities with Legos, which helped me develop a strong sense of spatial relationships. This early passion for creating structures led me to pursue a career in architecture, where I strive to design healing environments that benefit people's well-being.

Stephanie Vito, AIA, CannonDesign: I first became interested after taking an Intro to CAD class in high school where we copied suburban homes from a magazine. Turns out architecture school and the profession are nothing like that. Glad I stuck with it!

Caroline Shannon AIA, Gensler: Architecture allowed me to bring together my interests in art and science to improve people’s lives. I love being able to apply myself creatively and work collaboratively to deliver on complex challenges.

What is the most fulfilling aspect of being an architect?

Gathings: It is so great to see the positive impact of your efforts where you are, and the shared experience of bringing an idea to reality is truly meaningful.

Takeuchi: The social aspect. This happens both through sustaining our community’s livelihoods through built environments and through the mentorship, volunteerism, and social responsibility that’s embedded into the profession today.

Thuesen: Bringing a vision into reality and helping clients solve complex challenges that improves their lives.

Haedt: The most fulfilling aspect of being an architect is the daily opportunity to apply ingenuity and problem-solving skills to the act of creation. As an architect, I have the unique ability to shape the physical world. It's incredibly rewarding to see my ideas come to life to benefit others. The ability to merge creativity with functionality and ultimately make a difference in people's lives is what makes being an architect so fulfilling.

Vito: I work in the mental and behavioral health side of healthcare and love knowing that my work creates a calm and therapeutic environment for people during a vulnerable time in their life.

Shannon: Leveraging design to improve health, advance equity, and address our changing climate motivates me to come to work every day. Architecture can often feel slow – it can take years for projects to move from concept to realization – but being in community in a space that you have had a part in crafting is incredibly powerful.

What is your favorite representation of architecture in culture?

Gathings: I feel that architecture's biggest service to culture is when it interrogates the status quo to iterate a better, open and more hopeful future.

Takeuchi: ‘Iolani Palace in Honolulu stands out as a symbol of the Hawaiian Kingdom for innovation and inclusion. Built in 1882 as a home for monarchs of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i, the palace received electricity before the White House and welcomed leaders from around the world before the monarchy was illegally overthrown in 1893.

Thuesen: I appreciate how vernacular architecture shapes the experience of a city or place. I’ve been fortunate to live abroad and travel extensively, and I’ve experienced how we closely associate architecture with placemaking and memories. What would Paris be without the Eiffel tower?

Haedt: It's difficult for me to pick a single representation of architecture in culture as my favorite. Similar to the many diverse voices and cultures around us, there are countless representations of architecture that deserve to be appreciated and heard. I believe we should celebrate the moments when the inhabitants of a building or space can elevate it beyond just being an empty vessel. These are the moments when the physical space comes alive and becomes truly meaningful. As architects, it's our duty to design spaces that can foster these transformative moments and help people connect with their surroundings in a more profound way.

Vito: I always find it funny when TV or movie characters are architects because the role is often portrayed as this wonderfully mysterious profession of fame; the long hours, challenging funding and opposing client views are never represented!

Shannon: The Powers of Ten by Charles and Ray Eames comes to mind. It’s not architecture per se, but it demonstrates the importance of inter-disciplinary, inter-scalar thinking that is so critical for architecture. It’s an important reminder to remain both humble and aspirational in our approaches to the challenges we are facing today.

What is your dream project?

Gathings: I have had the gift of working on quite a few dream projects already!  The dream for me involves a big idea with the possibility for great impact, and working with a group of people who believe in the potential design has for positive consequence.

Takeuchi: Being in Hawai‘i, realistically much of what’s built here comes from outside, including materials, labor, and even design. My dream project would consist entirely of locally-sourced materials, local labor, homegrown ideas, respect to historical and cultural context and inclusion of community.

Thuesen: An urban art gallery or a nature-surrounded home that’s big enough to host all my friends and family for memorable weekends and vacations.

Haedt: My dream project is simply the next one that comes my way. Each project presents a unique opportunity for me to learn and grow as an architect, and to apply that knowledge towards creating a more holistic healing environment. I believe that every project, regardless of its scale or complexity, has the potential to teach me something new and to help me refine my skills. So, my dream project is really just the next chance I get to put my experience and creativity to work for the benefit of my clients and their communities.

Vito: A project that provides equitable mental healthcare for all without stigma, in a setting that equalizes mental health with physical and spiritual health and is fully integrated into daily life.

Shannon: My dream project would be much more defined around the “how” than the “what.” I’m always looking for projects that have the potential to be transformative for the organizations and communities they serve. This means having a strong vision, alignment of investment with need, and building/sustaining support from the project coalition. Leveraging design to build consensus and delivering spaces that have a positive impact are the things I dream about!