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.