Bio:

The great architect, Ada Corral AIA is a principal at Jobe Corral Architects, a women-owned firm. Ada grew up in Puerto Rico and received her B. Arch from The University of Texas at Austin. She has held teaching positions at UT Austin School of Architecture and at Austin Community College. She is an alumnus of Leadership Austin’s Emerge program, serves on the Ballet Austin Board of Directors, and has been a member of the Board of Adjustment. Ada was the recipient of the 2018 Austin Under 40 award in Architecture.

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How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?

I was exposed to design and construction from an early age. Growing up I loved math and ballet. Architecture was a way of combining the creativity and attention to detail of ballet with the technical aspect of math, into a different art form.

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What do you do?

Every day I problem solve, I talk to a lot people, and I make sure things are aligning correctly. I work hard to ensure my clients have a space that improves their quality of life, and that JCA is contributing in a positive way to our city.

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What excites you in the work you do?

I love seeing the progress of our work. There’s always room for growth and opportunities to try new things. One of the best parts of Architecture is reinventing solutions with each project, and drawing from previous mistakes and successes.

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Who or what inspires you professionally?

There are many creative professionals that are doing very interesting work in Austin right now. This has elevated the profession and level of the design in our city. It pushes all of us to be better every day and still support each other.

 

What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?

As a Latina and daughter of immigrants, I have always felt a strong responsibility to show what my people can contribute. I am proud of my successful projects and company, because it helps to continue paving the way for a truly equitable society.

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Featured Project Name: 

Festival Beach Restroom

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Featured Project Location: 

Austin, TX

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Featured Project Completion Date: 

June 2020

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Role in Featured Project: 

Principal Architect

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Featured Project Description:

As part of a series of restrooms along Lady Bird Lake, commissioned by The Trail Foundation and the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department, this structure becomes more than what the program dictates. An homage to its predecessor, this new pavilion uses familiar materials like concrete, steel and terra cotta tile in an unexpected way that mimics the nearby water and park trees. It is a marker in the landscape, a place for shade and a unique structure that belongs to the neighborhood.

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Photography Credit:

Casey Dunn