Two of my architectural heroes are the late Samuel Mockbee and Francis Kéré, because of their ability to work with a community to get their input into the design and help them elevate everyday building materials into something not just aesthetically special but also grounded in the community.

I studied both architecture and urban design in graduate school because I wanted to go beyond the property line of buildings. I’m interested in public life. Great design focuses on people first—how they interact, what makes them feel safe, what makes them want to be in a place.