James Baptiste, Sr.

Name: James Baptiste, Sr.

Title: Architect/Owner

Company: Anowara Architecture, P.C.

Where are you from?
Lewiston, NY

How many years of experience do you have?
25

Why did you choose Architecture as a profession?
I started as a construction laborer in high school, left the Air Force and held various positions as a carpenter, painter, builder, and on a factory production line. I could always draw pretty well. But, construction is a hard life; I wanted to apply my skills and building knowledge in a different way. I was on scaffolding swinging a hammer in the early 90's when I saw an architect for the first time. He walked onto the jobsite with a roll of drawings under his arm and I wondered if I could be "that guy" someday.

What Industry of Architecture do you work in?
Commercial, multi-family, custom residential, and amusement attractions

Best project or most unique/favorite project?
I'll be forever grateful to Buffalo Riverworks for giving me the opportunity to design and plan the Buffal-o Ferris Wheel, its surrounding patios, walkways, & custom stairs. It really is an example of what small firms can accomplish when they surround themselves with great consultant support. I believe that small firms offer a level of focus on a project that is of great comfort to project owners & developers.

In your opinion, what are the most pressing issues architects will face in the coming years?
There is often talk of rolling back regulations to speed up growth. Too many places in the country already don't require the involvement of an Architect on projects. I worry for our profession, the safety of buildings, and the quality of the built experience when clients want to "save money on the fee by just hiring a drafter" or letting the builder design it.

What's your favorite part about being an AIA Member?
I love opening an email from the AIA and reading about how our organization is advocating for accessibility and inclusion in the built environment, addressing climate change, and firmly against any notion of federally mandated architectural design styles. In my heart, I believe these values represent the foundations upon which architects must stand.

Are you or have you been involved in volunteer, civic or community efforts and if so what are they?
I am part of a grassroots effort to "reawaken" the Turtle in Niagara Falls (the former Native American Center for the Living Arts). As one of the few Native American architects in the Nation, this building is particularly important to me. Prior to the vast reach of the internet, It relied heavily on State Subsidies for its operations. Those subsidies were pulled in 1989 and many cultural exhibit items were sold off to pay Federal Taxes. Now is the time for this architecturally/culturally significant building to be a place of support for our community, a place to preserve our traditions, and a place to share our culture with millions of visitors from all over the world.

What advice would you want to pass along to young professionals entering your industry?
I raised 4 sons as a single dad. Working full time, going to school, and being a very involved parent left little time for things like studying for the ARE. As my sons began to leave for college and/or military service I committed myself to becoming licensed before I was 50 and was successful in that goal with scant few months to spare. If you still have breath in your chest and a dream/goal in your heart....chase it.

Bob Shibley, FAIA, FAICP

Name: Bob Shibley, FAIA, FAICP

Title: SUNY Distinguished Professor

Company:
University at Buffalo, School of Architecture and Planning

Where are you from?
Buffalo by way of Washington DC and North Bend, Oregon

How many years of experience do you have? 53

Why did you choose Architecture as a profession?
I love its breadth and depth. It is fundamentally a discipline of the always complex relationships required to make great places.  There is so much we can do with this profession, and you see the impact of your work both immediately and in the long term.

What Industry of Architecture do you work in? Education and Practice

How many years have you taught? 41

Why did you choose architecture as a profession or subject to teach?
Effective practice requires reflection. Teaching how to reflect on practice -- to do it better -- is very fulfilling.

What school do you teach in?
University at Buffalo, School of Architecture and Planning

Best project or most unique/favorite project?
"The Queen City Hub; A Regional Action Plan for Downtown Buffalo"  with companion plans for the Waterfront, the Olmsted Parks and Parkway System, and the City of Buffalo Comprehensive Plan. We developed these plans with a consortium of faculty, staff, students, practitioners, the City of Buffalo, and community constituencies in fabulous collaborations.

In your opinion, what are the most pressing issues architects will face in the coming years?
No surprises here: We are headed for an ecological catastrophe if we don't fully address the social and ecological dynamics of climate change and develop resilient approaches to building that address the hazards already in front of us. These catastrophes are, of course, deeply connected to the necessity to address equity and social justice.

What is the most inspiring part of your job?
I’ve had the pleasure of learning from some great mentors during my career, including multiple kick a** women who showed me how to stand in a boardroom and deliver. To them, my friends, colleagues, parents and family, I’d like to say thank you for the learning opportunities, listening ears, coffees, glasses of wine and never-ending support!

What advice would you want to pass along to young professionals entering your industry?
Be curious. Curiosity is a form of humility that enables excellent communication, invites more profound understanding, and enables the best decision-making. That same curiosity assumes we all drink from wells we did not dig -- understanding the history of place and aspirations for places are critical to our success in placemaking.

If you could represent yourself in the Olympics, which sport would you play and why?
I would be a sprinter. I ran for the University of Oregon track team under Bill Bowerman, and I was fast but nothing near Olympic quality. Even so, I have the body memory of being in great physical shape and able to move quickly -- I would go there again if I could. More to the point, track is seldom a team sport. The goal is personal best. So much of life has to be team sport, but track and field gives you a bit of distance from constantly working with others. Even track, however, is coach and athlete team and peer-to-peer learning, But at the end of the day, win or lose, your time on the stopwatch is the measure of success. Are you improving?

Stephanie Vito, AIA, ACHA

Name: Stephanie Vito, AIA, ACHA

Title: Vice President

Company: Cannon Design

Where are you from? Syracuse

How many years of experience do you have? 13

What Industry of Architecture do you work in? Behavioral Health, Mental Health Programming, Planning & Design.

What is the most inspiring part of your job? I specialize in mental/behavioral healthcare design and, given the nature of this work, I get to work on projects nationally. I constantly interact with, and learn from, amazing colleagues and clients from all over the country, each with different perspectives. It helps me feel like I am learning and growing all the time. It is also rewarding knowing that my work is helping the most vulnerable members of our society through design.

What’s your favorite part about being an AIA member? Attending any event that celebrates the talented people in our community…especially the events that are emceed by Mike A. :)

What advice would you want to pass along to young professionals entering your industry? This first part is less advice and more nostalgia. I remember learning so much by just being in a bustling office environment – overhearing conversations, bumping into people, random encounters, personal connection, chances to be nosy and so on. I would ask the profession in general to explore how the new, more virtual way of working, can incorporate these types of encounters and learning opportunities for young professionals. What is the “virtual buzz”? When it comes to advice, I’d say, ask a million questions, listen and stay persistent (yes, those first two might contradict each other).  

How do you balance your work life with your outside passions? I try to close the laptop at the end of the day and to keep it closed. It took me a while in the beginning of the pandemic to not open things back up at the end of the night. The laptop and multiple monitors had permanently invaded my personal space and the boundary took a while for me to reinstate. I also really limit work on the weekends so I can refresh and spend undistracted time outdoors and with my family.

Is there anything you would like to share about yourself? I’ve had the pleasure of learning from some great mentors during my career, including multiple kick a** women who showed me how to stand in a boardroom and deliver. To them, my friends, colleagues, parents and family, I’d like to say thank you for the learning opportunities, listening ears, coffees, glasses of wine and never-ending support!

Joseph Cohen, AIA, CPA, LEED, FMP, CEP

Name: Joe Cohen, AIA, CPA, LEED, FMP, CEP

Title: Chief Operating Officer

Company: S&C Companies, LLC

Where are you from? Buffalo

How many years of experience do you have? 34

Why did you choose architecture as a profession? I enjoyed being around the Building Environment.

What Industry of Architecture do you work in? Construction.

What’s your favorite part about being an AIA Member? The interaction with other AIA members.

Share with us the best piece of advice you've ever been given? "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

What advice would you want to pass along to young professionals entering your industry? Avail yourself to the office and benefit from the greatest resource our industry has—your colleagues’ knowledge.

Is there anything you would like to share about yourself? What a long strange circuitous route it has been.   From Audit CPA on Wall Street to Construction Architect in Buffalo NY.  Never once did I ever feel that my time was wasted nor would I have changed a thing.

Aimee E. Zielinski, AIA

Name: Aimee E. Zielinski, AIA

Title: Project Manager

Company: Wendel

Where are you from? North Tonawanda

How many years of experience do you have? 17 in the industry, 3 as a licensed architect

Why did you choose architecture as a profession? My grandfather was a Construction Superintendent, and a mason by trade. Growing up, his ‘buildings’ were constantly identified by my mother, to me and my siblings, as we traveled around Western New York. I never missed an opportunity to share the fact that he not only designed, but built the house I grew up in. I still feel an immense amount of pride at the notion that a piece of him, his talent and skill, exists in the built environment. What a great legacy to leave to future generations and I’m proud to carry that legacy forward.

What Industry of Architecture do you work in? I’ve worked on educational, both K-12 and Higher Ed, as well commercial, and public transportation projects.

What is the most inspiring part of your job? The people I get to work with, without a doubt, are the most inspiring part of my job. I am fortunate to work with a remarkably talented group of human beings who teach me something new every day.

In your opinion, what are the most pressing issues architects will face in the coming years? As architects, we have this tremendous responsibility to ensure and protect the health, safety and welfare of the individuals interacting with and occupying the spaces we help shape and create. That responsibility, balanced with the need for a more socially responsible architecture, presents a unique challenge that requires an advanced level of rigor from the design team, the contractor as well as the owner and other key shareholders. A constant and ever-evolving introspection, on how the project-related decisions of today will impact the future of this planet and its population, becomes a necessity.

Are there any other college degrees other than architecture you would recommend that has helped your career? I have certainly taken a nontraditional path throughout my career. I have a Master’s Degree in Architecture, a Bachelors Degree in Business and Associates Degrees in Architectural Technology and Accounting. Business and accounting are such broad areas of study that this would undoubtedly be beneficial to anyone’s career. Understanding a project from practically all perspectives has provided me with opportunities in my career I might not otherwise have been offered.

Do you have a special routine/habit you may do to get creative juices flowing? I find music to be a driving force in my life. I'm constantly striving to curate the perfect playlists for a certain mood or task or event. The right melody or lyric can make or break your emotional state, impacting creativity levels and the thought process.

Marisa R. Scroger, AIA, IIDA

Name: Marisa R. Scroger, AIA, IIDA

Title: Principal

Company: Trautman Associates

Where are you from? New Rochelle, NY

How many years of experience do you have? 19 years

Why did you choose architecture as a profession? I always enjoyed the structure involved with technical drawing. I took my first drafting class in high school and never looked back. Most forms of art only live in one medium, but architecture takes a drawing on paper and gives it a new intention.

What Industry of Architecture do you work in? Commercial architecture

Best project or most unique/favorite project? I worked with a non-profit organization, to repurpose a century old abandoned school into several services to assist with their mission. We turned the cafeteria into a daycare facility for more than 100 children, renovated their classrooms to provide vocational training, and brought life back into their ornate gymnasium to allow them to open the facility up to their community most in need. Being part of a project that served each occupant in such an impactful way was the most rewarding project I have worked on to date.

What has been your greatest challenge working in this industry? Consistency. Every project is unique and comes with it's own specific challenges. This allows me the opportunity to learn something new on almost every project, but it does not afford me the luxury of having a typical work day.

What is the most inspiring part of your job? Architects have the ability to affect lives by creating impactful spaces. I am inspired to not only provide each client with what they asked but to exceed their expectations by bringing them a new perspective.

Are there any other college degrees other than architecture you would recommend that has helped your career? I don't have any other college degrees, but I am a certified interior designer. I sat for the NCIDQ exams shortly after recieving my architecture license and am now practicing both.

Share with us the best piece of advice you've ever been given? The best advice I have ever received is that no one will advocate for you, more than you. Hearing that made me realize that if I wanted to change what others expected from me I would have to tell them.

What advice would you want to pass along to young professionals entering your industry? Many architects have come before you. Ask them questions and learn from them. Although our industry is ever evolving there are somethings that can only be learned from experience.

Amber Holycross AIA, LEED AP ID+C

Name: Amber Holycross AIA, LEED AP ID+C

Title: Vice President, Architecture

Company: Wendel Companies

Where are you from? Olean, NY

How many years of experience do you have? 18 years

Why did you choose architecture as a profession? As a young child I enjoyed building physical spaces out of anything I could find around the house. As I grew up, I was always intrigued by urban spaces and the built environment. Visiting cities excited me. Studying and practicing within the field of architecture has allowed me to combine my passions with my interests in art, math and science.

What Industry of Architecture do you work in? My experience is fairly diverse. I've worked on residential (single and multi-family), historic adaptive reuse, commercial, retail, educational, institutional, and healthcare projects

Best project or most unique/favorite project? My favorite projects have been adaptive reuse conversions into residential, mixed-use. I worked on three such projects while at Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation. The final redevelopment was the Mentholatum Building on Niagara Street in Buffalo. The project team came together and did a really amazing job transforming the iconic building. To this day, I smile every time I pass it. As architects, we seek opportunities to change our communities for the better and leave a little piece of ourselves in our work for posterity. This project gave that to me.

What is the most inspiring part of your job? Everyday I am inspired by the projects I work on and the amazingly talented people I work with. I have worked at several firms and companies throughout my career and I am grateful for the project opportunities I have been entrusted with as well as all I have learned from my diverse teams.

In your opinion, what are the most pressing issues architects will face in the coming years? Reversing the damage we have done to the environment is the most pressing challenge facing architects. We are responsible to be leaders in the movement through action, education and innovation.

Are there any other college degrees other than architecture you would recommend that has helped your career? I am currently completing a Master of Professional Studies in Commercial Real Estate at Georgetown University with expected graduation in May 2022. Working in commercial real estate has allowed me to leverage my design background with my interests in the greater process of implementing a private development project. I have been exposed to purchasing, entitlements, financing, design, construction, and ongoing property ownership/management. Understanding all aspects of the process has helped me to become a stronger architect and provided me with alternate views of a project.