Bio:

The great designer, Martha Gonzalez, AIA is a project architect at Gensler Austin. Martha is passionate about mobilizing and inspiring minorities to embark in positions of impact and effecting change through her participation in volunteer-based organizations. Martha has served as Mentor and Scholarship Chair for ACE Mentor program of Austin and Vice-chair of the City of Austin's Design Commission. Currently Martha is designing a boutique hotel and her dream home

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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?

In third grade when I lived in Monterrey Mexico, I had a friend with an older sister that was studying Architecture. I was fascinated by her models, drawings, and tools. I thought it was incredible to use art as a medium of communication for a career

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What do you do?

I am a project architect at Gensler Austin. I have been managing the design and construction of the Travis County Civil and Family Courts facility for the last three years. I am also designing my dream home and will manage the construction as well.

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What excites you in the work you do?

My favorite part of the job as a project architect is the collaboration of disciplines. I am always humbled and honored to be in rooms with some of the most talented artists, fabricators, engineers, and consultants. I am continually inspired by them

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Who or what inspires you professionally?

I find inspiration in the collaborative design process. I recognize everyone's individual contributions as valuable elements to problem solving. I believe in evidence based design to provide healthful and beautiful environments for people to thrive

 

What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?

My proudest professional accomplishment has been designing and building the Travis County Civil and Family Court Facility. It has been a labor of love from the start and the most complex project I have worked on. It has transformed my confidence.

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Featured Project Name: 

Dwelling on 21

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Featured Project Location: 

Austin TX

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Featured Project Completion Date: 

Summer 2022

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Role in Featured Project: 

Design Architect

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Featured Project Description:

Dwelling on 21 is a single family home with an Accessory dwelling unit on a long and narrow lot. We are taking advantage of zoning allowances to preserve the character of the neighborhood by preserving the existing 1930s bungalow in the front and building a modern 2000 sf new structure in the back. We placed the new structure tight to the side yard setback to provide a communal courtyard between the existing and new structures. The landscape and materiality is native requiring minimal water.

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Photography Credit:

I did all the renderings