Bio:
The great architect, Valarie brings over 20 years of experience with a wide variety of experience including healthcare, educational, corporate, religious and institutional architectural design and documentation. The Nashville, Tennessee, native proudly founded the Nashville Chapter of NOMA and serves on the AIA Tennessee Architects Political Action Committee (TAPAC) as 2020 President for both organization. Valarie also contributes to her native city of Nashville by serving on the MDHA Design Review Board.

How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
As a child, I did not have role models in the architecture realm. As the first person in my family to go to college, I found my first mentors at Tuskegee University who encouraged me to switch over from studying law to architecture.

What do you do?
I am a licensed architect. Current role with Moody Nolan is Client Relationship Manager and Project Manager.

What excites you in the work you do?
Architects have a great responsibility to influence those who occupy the spaces we create. We have the power to make our communities a more safe and peaceful place which inspire and elevate through responsible design.

Who or what inspires you professionally?
I am inspired by the ability of all of us to positively influence the trajectory of history.

What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
Gresham Smith firm-wide Community Impact Award winner 2019

Featured Project Name: 
Bright Horizon’s Growing Together Learning Center
 
Featured Project Location: 
Nashville, Tennessee
 
Featured Project Completion Date: 
2019

Role in Featured Project: 
Project Architect and Project Designer
 
Featured Project Description:
With population statistics the highest they have been in Nashville’s history there is a need to fit childcare comfortably in the puzzle of urban living. Located in the heart of Downtown, the newly constructed Growing Together Learning Center aimed to fill this need for a segment of the working population. Urban childcare centers are a great amenity and they have a set of unique challenges to consider in the design process.

Photography Credit:
Gresham Smith

Featured Project Name: 
Valley View Hospital - Calaway Young Cancer Center
 
Featured Project Location: 
Glenwood Springs, CO
 
Featured Project Completion Date: 
2012

Role in Featured Project: 
Project Designer and Interior Design
 
Featured Project Description:
Contextually situated in a an area known for it’s natural hot springs and ski lodges, the new 5 story cancer center design incorporated the core components Planetree. Planetree is a philosophy of care with objectives to personalize, humanize and demystify each healthcare experience from a patient’s perspective fostering a healing atmosphere, resulting in a non-institutional “Health Hotel” concept.

Photography Credit:
HFR Design