January Professional Member of the Month

Alyanna Subayno

Neumann Monson Architects

Intern Architect

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

The most exciting part about architecture is that it constantly evolves. In school, we were always progressing towards a more complex, and in-depth understanding of the field – the situation is similar in practice. As a recent graduate, I do recognize that there’s a learning curve, and while that may be daunting, the idea of learning something new every day is the most appealing part of the work.

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

Asian Boss Girl, Episode 64: My Asian American Identity. The podcast talks through the experiences of a modern-day Asian American woman – from identities to career paths to lifestyles, etc. Episode 64, in particular, reflects on growing up ethnically Asian in America. I resonated a lot with this episode and could recall the ways I navigated certain situations because of my identity – whether that be in school or the interactions I had with friends or my community.

3. What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

I’m really proud of where I currently am and the work I’ve gotten to do since being at Neumann Monson. It’s rewarding to be a part of a team that’s constantly evolving along with the practice. This mindset is embedded into the studio and it has really allowed me to get involved in the firm.

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

Be open. Be flexible. Seek and take every opportunity, especially the unexpected ones.  

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

My mother and grandmother, of course – who were really the first ones that paved the way for me. Kate Thuesen, an architect at DLR’s Des Moines office, is another individual I look up to; she was one of the first people I sought advice from when I started to experience and see the inequities around me – especially being a woman and person of color in a male-dominated field. I also think of the great mentors I had at my internship last summer at ZGF’s Portland office – Erin, Amy, Cassie, Nicole, and Rachel; the five of them became a great support system during my time there.

December Student Member of the Month

Danica Dewit

Iowa State University

5th Year Architecture Student

1. Why did you choose the design/construction field?

My grandpa is a carpenter and I’ve always been interested in the final product of his work. It was this and encouragement from my family that I chose to pursue architecture and I’ve enjoyed it ever since.

2. What is the most unusual medium you have used for a model, and what did it represent?

I once used straws to try and demonstrate noise pollution on a site map. I say try because it ended up taking too long and I decided to make it digitally.

3. What has been your favorite studio trip so far?

My favorite studio trip so far was to New York. It was my first time going there and it was a great experience.

4. What is the best advice you have received from a professor or mentor?

You can do anything with architecture if you put the work in.

5. How has Iowa Women in Architecture influenced you?

Its been a great tool for me and has connected me to others I maybe wouldn’t have met otherwise.

Planter | Arch 301 Studio

These models were created in a way that appeared axonometric from a specific view. They were used on the site model to represent planters and benches.

December Professional Member of the Month

Jessica Reinert

AIA Iowa

Executive Director

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

The most energizing aspect of leading AIA Iowa is working with our member volunteers. Each member has such a passion for what they do and the profession of architecture, seeing that motivates me to keep moving forward with the work I do at the Chapter.

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

Anything and everything by Brene Brown, her research is fascinating to me and I find her podcasts and books thought-provoking as well as inspiring.

3. What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

The professional accomplishment that I am most proud of is earning the CAE, the American Society of Association Executive’s Certification of Association Executives credential. For association professionals, passing this exam is a similar accomplishment to passing the ARE in the architecture profession.

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

My advice would be to look towards other leaders, female or male, that are trustworthy and genuine in their interest in mentoring you and truly want to see you succeed.

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

I am thankful to have many positive female role models in my life. The first for me was my Grandmother, Clara Berensmann. She was born in 1909, graduated from high school in 1928, and went on to college from there, which was rare for a woman to do during that time. After one year of college, her family asked her to return home and help her family, so she was not able to graduate. Growing up aware of this, her story was part of what inspired me to attend college. My graduation was partially for her, in a way I finished what she had started.

November Professional Member of the Month

Danielle DeBoer

IMEG Corp.

Structural Project Engineer

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

The most energizing aspect of my current position is the people I work with and work for. As a supervisor, it’s exciting to help people grow in their careers. There’s so much knowledge to learn and share in our industry and seeing others succeed is a joy of mine. As a project manager, I will never stop being in awe of seeing a building you have coordinated and worked so diligently on for months actually be built and transformed into a space that people utilize every day.

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

My recent favorite is “Fake Doctors, Real Friends”, which is a Scrubs re-watch podcast hosted by Zach Braff and Donald Faison, the lead actors of the show. Scrubs is one of my favorite shows from growing up - I really enjoy the nostalgia, the camaraderie of the hosts, and all the behind the scenes details of shooting the show. I’m also a sucker for any true-crime podcast or fantasy podcasts like The Adventure Zone.

3. What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

I am most proud of passing the 16-hour exam to get my structural license. This is a little cheesy, but I am also genuinely proud of each building I get to be a part of, especially in the education sector. I love that our work is giving students a better learning environment and opportunities for their successful futures.

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

Seek out mentoring relationships and people you can learn from. Never be stagnant - try to do something new each year that you did not the year before. And last but not least, a good email organization is critical!

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

At IMEG, there are several women in leadership from the beginning of my career who have been inspirations. Kelly Altes, Katie Goldberg, Abby Pertzborn, and Heather Heidenreich exemplify what it looks like to be a great consultant, a technical expert, a strong leader, and an advocate for their own passions outside of work. I hope to give the support and guidance to others as they have given and continue to give to me.

October Student Member of the Month

Kelsey Buenz

Iowa State University

Architecture Student

1. Why did you choose the design/construction field?

The way we design is a creative, iterative, and thorough process. It is so different than how other fields and disciplines practice. It is a process that takes passionate individuals to pursue and it is a process that I have found works well for me.

2. What is the most unusual medium you have used for a model, and what did it represent?

I once used electrical tape in a model to illustrate a narrative of uncertainty and confinement. The tape was stretched and tangled inside of an acrylic box. The tape was self-structuring and created interesting connections with its clear acrylic bounds.

3. What has been your favorite studio trip so far?

Visiting New York City for Arch 302 studio was an exciting and eye-opening trip for me. The city is full of prominent architecture and sites that I have studied in school – it is rewarding to experience the spaces first- hand. I realized for myself that the possibilities and commotion of the city were best experienced over a short time period and that there was a lot to appreciate about living in the Midwest.

4. What is the best advice you have received from a professor or mentor?

“We are planting seeds of change, the fruit of which we might never see.”

I believe that the design field is critical in the process of putting new ideas into the world. Many may view the ideas as too progressive and may not accept them but we have to continue to be a voice for the issues we see. When we are contributing to the built environment, I think the hope is that our creations outlive us. In that, there is a responsibility to be aware of the way they participate in the social, cultural, and environmental settings of the future.

5. How has Iowa Women in Architecture influenced you?

Iowa Women in Architecture has allowed me to find confidence by being surrounded by successful professionals and students. We all have so much to learn from each other and Iowa Women in Architecture creates a space to do that.

Aligning Edges

This project aims to reconnect the historic ruins of ‘il Torrione’ and the park back to the Roman neighborhood. The ground-level design extends the public park space with a community building and a pavilion. The solids work in continuity with the urban fabric and help shape the void of the park by aligning towards the urban edge. The historic ruins of the park are a focal point for the cafeteria, courtyard, coworking, and housing spaces.

October Professional Member of the Month

Bobbi Jo Duneman

FEH Design

Architect

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

Engaging with the public is the most exciting and energizing aspect of my current position. My firm has a unique design workshop process that brings us into the communities of our clients to get their input on the designs. We spend a day or two hand drawing concepts for them and presenting them. It is a really rewarding experience to meet the people who our work benefits.

2. What was the last interesting book you read?

Honestly, I haven’t taken the time to read very much lately. The last interesting book I listened to was “An Absolutely Remarkable Thing” by Hank Green. A lot of the storytelling I consume though is through podcasts while working on drawings or doing projects around the house. I enjoy a wide variety of them including but not limited to true crime, political, and mental health podcasts.

3. What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

I’m proud of finishing my exams this past spring and getting my license. I also am proud whenever I can use my unique skills like graphic design and architectural photography to provide additional value to my firm.

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

As a recovering perfectionist, I’m working on redefining success for myself. My new definition involves doing my best every day and accepting that each day’s best effort doesn’t have to be the same as the day before or the day after. In addition, being exhausted at the end of the day isn’t a way to determine if I did my best that day.

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

My piano teacher from childhood was an amazing female role model for me. She was a retired schoolteacher that taught piano in her home because she loved teaching. Although she passed away years ago, she continues to inspire me to do the things I love. I hope to be as happy, kind, and caring as she was when I am older.