October Professional Member of the Month

Dannika Medberry

INVISION

Interior Designer

1.       What is the most rewarding and energizing aspect of your current position?

The most energizing aspect of my job is watching the vision come to life. It is extremely rewarding working through a project with your teammates and watching the evolution of the idea become a reality.

2.       What is a design detail that inspires or excites you?

        A moody interior with natural materials, texture, and layered lighting always inspires me. It is an intricate balance to captivate the senses and enhance the overall experience.

3.       What do you think the architecture profession of the future looks like?

The future of this profession looks like active involvement of creating inclusive spaces that prioritize the safety and well-being of all people. It is a lifelong journey of exploration, learning, development is essential to continue pushing the boundaries of design.

4.       What advice would you give to your younger self?

You are right on track to where you need to be. Take those risks, get out of your comfort zone!

5.       We are Iowa Women in Architecture; who were the female role models that inspired you?

My mother inspires me every single day. She is a strong, dedicated woman who handles life with grace and empowers her kids to be the best version of themselves. She never gives up, no matter the circumstance, and that determination drives me every single day.

July Professional Member of the Month

laura skogman

mcgough construCTION

business development Manager

1. What is the most rewarding and energizing aspect of your current position?

Although cliché, my amazing McGough teammates. In an industry that is quite competitive and uncertain these days, this team is very serious about their work, not themselves. Open doors, conversations, and new ideas are the norm here, not the exceptions. And while I’m still navigating my way in the BD role, their assistance has been unmeasurable.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t include the vast number of intelligent and creative individuals, I have met due to my position at McGough. Many, I’m lucky to now call friends. I truly enjoy the strategy involved and the positive impact of assisting a unique idea come to fruition.

2. What is a design detail that inspires or excites you?

Extraordinary curves and anything hand-crafted requiring ancient techniques. I’m ALWAYS impressed by the restoration and repurposing of a building.

3. What do you think the architecture profession of the future looks like?

I’m hesitant to answer this question because I have zero training in architecture as a profession. However, I do have a couple of thoughts. I’m 110% on board with embracing and encouraging sustainability. I feel AI will further be entrenched into the profession.

4. What advice would you give to your younger self?

Continually and purposely jump outside the lines, ask more questions, push back harder, and always embrace setbacks and failures!

5. We are Iowa Women in Architecture; who were the female role models that inspired you?

Being “advanced” in age, I’ve realized inspiration can come from just about everyone you meet. I consider many women role models in their unique way, and I frequently add to my list.

Specifically, in architecture, it would be Plautilla Bricci—a fascinating woman.

As for a “Bad$&%”---Lucille Mulhall---her spirit and grit. She was considered the original cowgirl.

Thank you to Iowa Women In Architecture for this opportunity!

Laura

May Professional Member of the Month

kelsi pelzer

form function studio

solutions designer +Studio Manager

1. What is the most exciting and energizing aspect of your current position?

Bettering my clients’ lives through design whether it be at home, work, or play, is hands down the best part about my job. Bringing them along through the process of creating their dreams and watching their eyes light up when they see the pieces of the puzzle fall into the right place is motivating and inspiring.

2. What is a design detail that inspires or excites you?

Space planning is the most thrilling and inspiring step in the design process for me. It is truly like completing a puzzle and the image you are working off is the client’s dream. The result is gratifying and helps set the stage for the rest of the design process.

3. What do you think the architecture profession of the future looks like?

Integrating more technology to assist designers and architects display our visions in a more clear and precise manner. This is truly crazy to think about because we have already come so far and can do so much.

4. What advice would you give to your younger self?

Be patient with yourself and allow yourself grace. There are no flowers if there is no rain. I would also remind my younger self, and all young women that the sky is the limit.

5. We are Iowa Women in Architecture; who were the female role models that inspired you?

Brigette Romanek not only has inspiring work, but her back story is also encouraging. She did not leap into interior design right away. There was a path that lead her to where she is and has helped form her into the interior designer she is today.

March Professional Member of the Month

Abbey hebbert

Confluence

planner

1.What is the most exciting and energizing aspect of your current position?

I truly enjoy getting to work with a wide variety of cities throughout the Midwest, helping them realize their big dreams and visions for their respective communities. Being able to engage with the public allows us to build a plan for the community, by the community.

2. What is a design detail that inspires or excites you?

With the ability to visualize trends and data through maps and infographics, we’re able to present analyses and data- that would typically be intimidating or overwhelming- in a more approachable and digestible way.

3. What do you think the architecture profession of the future looks like?

I’m excited to see the ways in which our respective design fields grow in the coming years. COVID definitely made us all hit pause on the status quo, and we are now looking for ways to incorporate these lessons-learned into our new norms. This could be anything from having more patience and understanding with one another to prioritizing affordable, quality and safe housing for all residents in our communities.

4. What advice would you give to your younger self?

Travel, travel, travel! Experiencing new environments and ways of life opens your mind to new ideas and views on the world. These lessons make you a better planner and person.

5. We are Iowa Women in Architecture; who were the female role models that inspired you?

My professor from college, Susmita Rishi, pushed me to follow my passions, to keep questioning norms, and expand my knowledge in planning. Her excitement and passion for planning spreads like wildfire and only makes you more excited to learn more. She’s someone I know who will always be in my corner and I can turn to with for any professional or personal advice.

January Professional Member of the Month

Anna Lukens

FRK Architects + Engineers

intern architect

1.What is the most exciting and energizing aspect of your current position?

What’s so energizing about my current position is working with the end users. The teachers and student who use the schools we design do not care about the logistics of a project, it’s only about having a new and better space to work in. Their excitement is why we do it.

2. What is a design detail that inspires or excites you?

The firm I work for specializes in education design. What’s amazing to see is the push for alternative learning environments in new buildings to adapt to a variety of learning and teaching styles.

3. What do you think the architecture profession of the future looks like?

The architectural profession of the future looks like prioritizing environmental decisions. We’ve already seen aggressive moves from AIA to advance healthier building systems, I expect to see much more of that. 

4. What advice would you give to your younger self?

You make the choices you make with the information you have at the time. You can’t regret a decision you made in the past based on what you’ll know in the future.

5. We are Iowa Women in Architecture; who were the female role models that inspired you?

Two stand out in particular. Karen Jarvis, an architect at the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, and Rachelle Hines, architect and principal of frk architects + engineers. Both women spent their professional and personal time to cultivate a safe and supportive working environment for women who are new to the profession. Having role models like Karen and Rachelle offer an exciting look at what a long term career path in architecture has to offer.

December Professional Member of the Month

DIANE RASMUSSEN

PIGOTT

A&D MANAGER

1.What is the most exciting and energizing aspect of your current position?

My favorite part of my job has always been partnering with the A+D community, so the opportunity to be completely dedicated to that role for all of Iowa and South Dakota with Pigott this year has been an amazing opportunity.  Working with creative people and finding new ways to forge great relationships that at the end of the day positively impact the end results for our clients is my jam.

2. What was the last interesting podcast you listened to?

Looking Forward with Ryan Anderson, Global Insights with MillerKnoll is my favorite go-to for keeping up with the latest workplace research.

Ologies is a podcast my niece recently introduced me to, and I’m finding the dives into topics as wide ranging from Mycology to Vampirology pretty fascinating!

3. What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

I love to learn so in general I’m proud that I am able to continuously gain and apply new knowledge every day in whatever position I find myself in.  As far as professional projects, the opportunity to work with an international team to contribute in even a small way to bringing the design intent of the Krause Gateway Center to life and adding a new gem to our Iowa community was an absolute delight.

4. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?

Research thoroughly, listen carefully, and learn thoughtfully from history and great mentors around you, but absolutely follow your instincts in the end and forge new paths with confidence. The world needs your authenticity and creativity!

5. We are Iowa Women in Architecture; who were the female role models that inspired you? 

There have been so many, but one of my first influencers as a young professional was Kim Augspurger Mescher, the former owner of Saxton, now a leadership consultant to the Pigott team.  I had my professional design internship with Saxton many moons ago and Kim’s strong, smart, straightforward style has inspired me to this day.