Bio:

 The great designer ,Tess is a Dallas-based Architect and urban designer who enjoys utilizing her talents for "big picture" thinking to solve multifaceted design problems. Prioritization of the human scale and relationship between public and private realms is critical to her design process. She is happiest working at a variety of scales, including master planning, retail, healthcare, and mixed-use. Tess serves as Vice Chair of AIA Dallas Young Professionals Network, as well as leading the ARE Success Teams program.

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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 high school I attended an architecture summer camp at Penn State. I fell in love with the energy of the studio and never looked back.

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What do you do?

As an architect, I strive to always challenge myself. As a volunteer, I find joy in giving back to my community. My leadership in AIA allows me to help other emerging professionals learn and grow in their careers as I continue to do the same.

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What excites you in the work you do?

Designing spaces in the public realm that are thoughtful, contextual, enjoyable, and accessible to all is incredibly exciting to me.

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Who or what inspires you professionally?

I’ve been fortunate to have wonderful mentors who inspire me to continuously learn and set high goals for myself. This includes my thesis professor who reassured me that it’s okay to have too many interests, and it’s never too late to try a new path.

 

What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?

As a young woman in a male-dominated field, you need to constantly speak up for yourself and your abilities. For me, becoming a licensed Architect was an important step in becoming the respected and well-rounded professional I want to be.

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Featured Project Name: 

Grandscape Office

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Featured Project Location: 

The Colony, Texas

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Featured Project Completion Date: 

Ongoing

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Role in Featured Project: 

Project Designer

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Featured Project Description:

This project takes what was once considered the backside of Grandscape, an existing 400+ acre mixed-use development, and transforms it into a gateway connecting a workplace environment to the retail and residential elements, supporting an active and expanding live/work/play environment. The towers are oriented strategically to optimize energy performance. The design features two plazas that not only resolve significant grade change across the site, but also create an enticing arrival sequence.

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Photography Credit:

Hoefer Welker