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Amy, Architect, Landscape Design at CLIMATE Architecture + Development: Advize Career Interview
A career as an Architect and Landscape Designer at CLIMATE Architecture + Development offers a dynamic blend of creative design and business acumen.
The work involves diverse responsibilities, from client interaction and conceptualization to meticulous drawing and on-site observation.
Success requires a unique combination of creativity, adaptability, and strong organizational skills, coupled with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and thrive under pressure.
While challenges exist, such as balancing multiple project phases and managing budgetary constraints, the flexibility and work-life balance are highly rewarding aspects.
A key takeaway is the importance of continuous learning, adaptability, and the ability to translate artistic vision into tangible results.
Entry-level opportunities often involve internships or construction jobs, offering invaluable experience.
The industry welcomes diverse personalities, and while a male-dominated field, the path to success is paved by strong leadership examples and a focus on continuous improvement.
Undergraduate experiences, such as design critiques, hone essential presentation and feedback skills invaluable in a collaborative professional environment.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Amy Cooney
Architect, Landscape Design
CLIMATE Architecture + Development
University of Virginia
University of Pennsylvania
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Architecture, Interior Design
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Creative
None Applicable
Watch all of this Advizer's videos below
Main Responsibilities Of An Architect At Climate Architecture And Development
Amy, owner of CLIMATE Architecture + Development, wears many hats, juggling client meetings and "hearing about their dreams and hopes" with the introspective work of "sitting and drawing," balancing creative design with the business demands of running a firm, including managing employees and tracking billable hours amidst numerous other responsibilities. The firm's unique niche involves both client-driven projects and independent developments where they identify community needs, showcasing a diverse and multifaceted career path.
A Day In The Life Of A Landscape Architect At CLIMATE Architecture And Development
A day for Amy, an architect and landscape designer, involves a mix of project phases, from the "exciting" design phase to the meticulous "production phase" of finalizing drawings. This work is balanced with client meetings, field visits to document project sites and construction progress—"keeping a chronological history of work"—for accountability and future reference.
Most Important Skills for an Architect and Landscape Designer at CLIMATE Architecture + Development
Amy, a Landscape Design Architect, highlights creativity and adaptability as crucial skills, noting the unique challenge of managing "large projects" that span years and involve multiple stakeholders. The process requires translating artistic vision into detailed plans for others to execute, demanding organizational skills and the ability to "think quickly on your feet" to address ongoing questions and revisions.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Landscape Architect At CLIMATE Architecture And Development
Amy, a Landscape Architect at CLIMATE Architecture + Development, most appreciates the flexibility of the role, noting the ability to "set [their] own schedule," working "from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM" as needed, highlighting a work-life balance that prioritizes personal needs alongside professional responsibilities. This adaptability is a key element of job satisfaction for Amy.
Biggest Challenges For A Landscape Architect At CLIMATE Architecture
Amy's biggest challenge as an Architect, Landscape Design at CLIMATE Architecture + Development is juggling multiple projects in various phases, requiring "keeping track mentally" and maintaining enthusiasm even during less stimulating stages like "drawing straight lines and measuring." The presence of partners who enjoy these tasks mitigates this challenge.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Architecture Industry as an Architect and Landscape Designer
Amy, a Landscape Design Architect at CLIMATE Architecture + Development, finds the most rewarding aspect of the industry to be "keeping up with what's being built," specifically focusing on urbanism and the city's growth, and imagining how designs can improve the overall urban context. This involves continually learning about current projects and "daydreaming about how it can make things better."
What Type Of Person Thrives In Architecture Architect Landscape Designer CLIMATE
Amy, an architect and landscape designer with teaching experience, observes that the architecture industry welcomes diverse individuals, from the "extremely organized" mathematically-minded to the highly creative. Success, however, often involves a blend of these traits, as those overly focused on pragmatism may lack "flashy and creative" output while the highly creative might struggle with deadlines.
What an Architect at CLIMATE Architecture + Development wishes they had known before entering the Architecture industry
Amy, a Landscape Design Architect at CLIMATE Architecture + Development, found the question challenging because "we love to learn," and the field is constantly evolving, particularly regarding climate and building practices. The American Institute of Architects' continuing education requirements reflect this continuous learning process, making it difficult to identify any single piece of prior knowledge that would have significantly altered their career path.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Architects and Landscape Designers
Amy from CLIMATE Architecture + Development highlights paid internships as the primary entry-level opportunity, describing them as a way to "dip your toes in" and determine if architecture is the right fit, noting that some also pursue construction jobs to understand the building process firsthand.
Significant Career Lesson From an Architect at CLIMATE Architecture + Development
Amy, a Landscape Architect at CLIMATE Architecture + Development, emphasizes the critical importance of adaptability in architecture, stating that "real world consequences come in," often necessitating value engineering to reconcile ambitious designs with budgetary constraints. The ability to adapt and retain the "essence" of a project while meeting client needs and achieving professional fulfillment is a key lesson learned throughout Amy's career.
College Experiences That Helped a Landscape Architect at CLIMATE Architecture Succeed
Amy's undergraduate program included "crit" sessions, where students presented their work and received often harsh critiques. This experience, initially upsetting ("they were mean and like criticize me"), ultimately taught Amy valuable presentation and feedback skills, crucial for her current role where she confidently presents designs to clients, transforming initial anxieties into a collaborative process resulting in improved outcomes.
How Identity Has Influenced an Architect's Career at CLIMATE Architecture
Early exposure to successful female leaders in a large firm helped Amy navigate the male-dominated architecture field; while noticing instances of "a level of politeness" afforded to their opinions, this professional ultimately views their gender as a non-issue, attributing success to following the examples of "females before" them and focusing on "ignoring it."
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