From Art to Architecture: Katie Sinclair’s Journey and Passion for Design
Katie Sinclair, Senior Associate and Project Architect at Kirksey Architecture, found her way to architecture the way so many do, through art. And while it's not uncommon for children to dream of becoming astronauts or architects when they grow up, neither profession was top of mind for Katie. "Didn't we all want to be a marine biologist at some point?" Katie remarks, "I can still name several shark species." Luckily, an observant high school art teacher saw Katie's love for art and proficiency in mathematics and encouraged Katie to consider architecture. One year into her degree program at Texas A&M University, Katie knew her teacher was right.
The Right Time and Place
With a Bachelor of Environmental Design from Texas A&M University and a Master of Architecture from the University of Texas in hand, Katie moved to Houston and quickly connected with a friend who worked at Kirksey. The timing seemed perfect since there was an opening at the firm. "I'd heard such great things about the people at Kirksey and was aware of the amazing projects they were designing, and then my friend called the week I moved to Houston," Katie recalls, "The stars aligned."
Katie has found the space and support to grow her skill set and challenge herself professionally at Kirksey. Taking on complex projects and solving design challenges with creative solutions keeps the job fun and inspiring for Katie, allowing her to complement the lessons she has learned on the job and in school with her natural inclination for organization and visualization. "I have a bit of an unusual knack for organization," Katie notes, "You never realize how many comments, ideas, and processes need to be managed until you're in the middle of it."
To take some of the unknowns out of the equation, she focuses on staying organized, keeping an eye on the details, and visualizing the spaces she creates to anticipate potential issues before they arise. Katie sees the results of that type of planning and anticipation as good design, believing that effectively removing pain points so completely that a non-architect may not even notice them qualifies as good design. But great design is what Katie aims for. "Great design goes a step further; it makes you stop and notice."
Katie applies those tenets and natural skills to all her projects, but finds great joy in designing student housing projects in particular. Citing the impact college had on her own life, specifically her time in on-campus housing, Katie feels passionate about creating spaces that foster friendships and create functional but welcoming areas to study and relax. She notes one specific project that embodied that passion and excitement – the University of Texas Graduate Student Housing development. From varied building heights to the number of buildings on a large site to complex code requirements, Katie felt the project had a little bit of everything, and being part of the building as a University of Texas alum was extra rewarding.
As she tackles complex projects and continues to learn all she can on the job, Katie has an eye on the future, specifically the evolving role of technology in architecture. She notes that technology will continue to play an important role in higher education, but it's more important than ever to design spaces that encourage students to interact with one another. Creating places where students can leave the isolation of their rooms and engage with their peers is one of Katie's most valued responsibilities as an architect. "Kirksey is growing, and there is so much potential bubbling up. I am excited to see where we go next, especially in our growth in student housing. It's so rewarding to know that something you helped design can positively impact a college student's experience."
Time and Space For Inspiration
For Katie, most of her inspiration comes from outside of the architectural space. "If you're looking for a fun color combination for a room, look at print ads or packaging - not just other buildings or the same types of spaces." Finding art in unexpected places is just one source of inspiration, but Katie mostly stays inspired by taking time outside of work to exhale, often looking to her daughter for inspiration. "My daughter is a huge inspiration - seeing the world through her fresh perspective reminds me to focus on possibilities rather than limits."Katie loves creating, even outside of work. She enjoys cooking and painting, and used some of the unplanned downtime in 2020 to create a YouTube series teaching others how to illustrate and mix watercolors. Getting her four-year-old daughter into her art studio is a recent accomplishment she is proud of, though they are still working on painting on paper rather than the floor. Her favorite subjects include nursery art inspired by her daughter and golf course landscapes, inspired by her love of golf, which she shares with her father, who also happens to be her coach.
Katie's artistry, belief in teamwork, and eye for detail and planning make her an essential part of the Kirksey team and a leader within the office. From finding inspiration in the smallest details to designing spaces that foster connection and taking time to lay the groundwork for good relationships with her teammates, Katie personifies Kirksey's commitment to designing high-performing buildings that positively impact the people, environment, and communities they serve.