May Professional Member of the Month

Cassandra Coffin

Rohrbach Associates

Project Designer, BIM Manager

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

The people I work with and the variety of project types we do. I love coming in and seeing the passion and creativity around me. It drives me to work harder each day.

2. What was the last interesting book you read?

I’ve recently been going through political biographies, the most recent is The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream by Barack Obama. The last architecture related book I read was Architecture of the Absurd: How “Genius” Disfigured a Practical Art by John Silber.

3. What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

I am proud of all my projects and my ability to adapt and learn new technology to help my office move forward.

4. How do you define success? And measure it?

Success is being able to do what you love every day and be proud of that work.

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

.Three stand out. The first was my highschool CAD/technology teacher Ms. Freebolin who advocated that I pursue architecture and exposed me to different aspects of the profession early on. The second is Kate Schwennsen, FAIA who encouraged me to pursue my own educational path at Iowa State and blend both of my passions - law and architecture. The third is my mother, who has always supported me and has one of the best work ethics I have ever seen.