Sydnor Elkins is a licensed architect and the Senior Director of Design and Construction at the Eames Institute.

With over 20 years of experience in architecture, her rigorous approach to problem-solving and curiosity drive her pursuit of creating spaces and structures with lasting impact.

We talk about:

- We start with Sydnor’s early inspiration—how growing up in a creative family and attending NC State’s Design Camp sparked her passion for architecture.

- She then describes her decision to leave architectural practice, the stigma of stepping away, and what drew her to the mission of the Eames Institute.

- Next, Sydnor shares what it’s like designing for a living archive, and how the institute brings Ray and Charles Eames’ principles—like curiosity and the guest-host relationship—into everyday work.

- Lastly, Sydnor reflects on how working alongside the Eames legacy has influenced her home life, creative process, and long-term outlook on design.

This episode is for anyone navigating career pivots or seeking inspiration at the intersection of design, legacy, and innovation.

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Links:

https://www.eamesinstitute.org/ranch/

https://www.instagram.com/eamesinstitute/

https://www.dezeen.com/2024/08/01/eames-institute-headquarters-archive-california/

https://www.instagram.com/sydnorelkins/

Connect with Architectette:

- Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.architectette.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Learn more)

- Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @architectette⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (See more)

- Newsletter:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.architectette.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Behind the Scenes Content)

- LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Architectette Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Page and/or⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Caitlin Brady⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Support Architectette:

- Leave us a rating and review!

Music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AlexGrohl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Today’s bonus episode features the youngest licensed architect in the United States!

Emily Almloff is a 2024 graduate from the University of Kansas with a Masters of Architecture and Masters of Construction Management degree.

She is a Healthcare Architect with HFG Architecture where she works on hospitals throughout the Midwest.

Her interests are focused on ways that the built environment can create a positive impact through crisis response, healthcare architecture, and affordable housing.

We talk about her education, work, and her incredible effort to get through all 6 AREs and secure her license at 22.

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Links:

Connect with Emily: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-almloff/

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Connect with Architectette:

- Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠www.architectette.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Learn more)

- Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠@architectette⁠⁠⁠⁠ (See more)

- Newsletter:⁠⁠⁠⁠www.architectette.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Behind the Scenes Content)

- LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠The Architectette Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ Page and/or⁠⁠⁠⁠Caitlin Brady⁠⁠⁠⁠

Support Architectette:

- Leave us a rating and review!

-⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AlexGrohl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

On today's podcast we are resharing our interview with Evelyn Lee.

Evelyn started in architecture but is now the first-ever Global Head of Workplace Strategy & Innovation at Slack Technologies. She is also the Founder of the Practice of Architecture, Co-Host of the Podcast, Practice Disrupted; and is extremely involved in the AIA, most notably serving as the first-ever female Treasurer to the AIA National Board from 2020-2021.

Evelyn has been widely published in Contract Magazine, Architect Magazine, and is currently working with Architizer to develop recurring content on the business of architecture.

She is a recognized innovator in the profession and has received numerous industry awards, including the 2016 40 Under 40 award for Building Design + Construction and the 2014 AIA National Young Architects Award.

We talk about:

- How Evelyn was inspired to study architecture and balanced it- from the start- with other commitments that were important to her, like playing collegiate soccer.

- We next review qualifications and expectations for achieving FAIA recognition.

- Evelyn shares about her experience as the first employee at her firm to have a baby and how she negotiated a maternity and return to work plan with her employer.

- Next, we chat about the Practice of Architecture and how Evelyn leverages her MBA and MPA to work with business owners to make their operations more efficient.

- We then talk about what architecture firms can learn from Slack’s stance on in-person and remote work strategies.

- Evelyn then elaborates on small changes that make a big impact on worker engagement like core hours, personal operating manuals, and dial-in policies.

- We end with a few ways Evelyn continues to learn and evolve and where you can follow her efforts (see the show notes!).

More Episodes You May Enjoy:

048: Robyn Linstrom: Design and De-Stigmatization as a Mental/ Behavioral Health Architect

045: Atelier Cho Thompson: Ming Thompson and Christina Cho Yoo on Diverse Strengths and Great Design

026: Angela Watson: Embracing Challenges, Fostering Connection as CEO

013: Erin Alley: Rising to Leadership in Architecture through Inquiry, Inclusivity, and Innovation

009: FIFTEEN: Ximena Valle, Mary Beth Di Figlia, and Jill Lavine on their Women-led Firm

017: Tigress Osborn: National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA) and the Built Environment

037: Karen Hager & Lauline Mitchell: NAWIC Presidents

027: Sharadan Rorabaugh: Architect to US Navy Civil Engineer Corps

006: Tenille Bettenhausen: Soft Skills and Unexpected Career Twists

011: Tami Hausman: Amplifying AEC Industries

Today we are replaying an episode with Yiselle Santos Rivera.

Yiselle is Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion at HKS and is also a former AIA|DC Chapter President, co-founder of LA IDEA, and WIELD event founder.

She is a natural community builder and has been heavily involved with JEDI initiatives both on a local and national scale for which she has been recognized with numerous awards.We talk about: - Crafting her career path in terms of employers and project types to better align with her interest to design spaces that heal- How Yiselle created communities around her interests and identities and how her leadership elevated others but also opened doors for her- The specifics of her role as JEDI director: how she splits time, her current initiatives, JEDI focused client work, bridging difficult conversations with clients and colleagues, and her tips for those interested in starting a JEDI movement at their own companies- The circular benefits of mentorship and Yiselle's Hogwarts house!

More Episodes you Might Enjoy:

038: Olivia Asuncion: Architect, Ramp Enthusiast, and Accessibility Advocate

022: Gabriella Bermea: Advocate and Arquitecta

018: Alexandra Chaves: Women in Architecture and Storytelling with 'Profiles'

(Bonus 002) Set Design with Dominique Dawson

008: Evelyn Lee: Tech, Transformation, and Disruption within Architecture

(Bonus 006): Q&A with Architecture Graduates - Sofia Daly

029: Patricia Ramallo: Behind the Scenes at NCARB

Today we are replaying our episode with Fatemeh Monfared.

Fatemeh started her journey with a degree in architecture, but soon established a specialty crafting virtual worlds and experiences. She is currently the Chief Metaverse Architect at her company, Spaces.

This is a great episode for folks in architecture and design who want to know a bit more about the metaverse without all the jargon and complexity.

Other Episodes You Might Enjoy:

001: Cynthia Muñoz: Strong Mentors Make Great Leaders

042: Katerina Burianova: From Layoff to Leadership- How to Build an Architecture Firm

034: Aya Shlachter and Jing Lauengco: AEC Entrepreneurship and Branding through Storytelling

008: Evelyn Lee: Tech, Transformation, and Disruption within Architecture

(Bonus 008): Q&A with Architecture Graduates - Victoria Clarke