I Am AIA:

Allison Pride AIA, NOMA, LEED AP, GPCP

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WHY DID YOU JOIN AIA SEATTLE?

After living and working overseas for several years, I felt disconnected from other professionals in the field. Joining AIA Seattle afforded me a great opportunity to meet and connect with professionals within the greater Seattle Area.

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF AIA TO YOU?

The AIA has always been an avenue of personal and professional connection for me. Through professional relationships, education, or volunteer work, it’s provided opportunities to connect with a broader group of professionals and organizations that I would not necessarily have had the opportunity to interact with.

CAN DESIGN SAVE THE WORLD?

In part, yes. The built environment is absolutely a contributing factor to how we interact, shape and maintain community, and ultimately how we will continue to grow. Our profession must continue to support people first. The tangible and perceptible solutions of space can then serve a deeper and more impactful role.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO CONTRIBUTE FROM YOUR WORK?

We are all coming into this space for various reasons, motivations, and with certain goals. My hope is that the way I work will continue to afford individuals a door of opportunity to come to the table, as they are, and help shape the environments we are designing every day.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEATTLE-AREA STRUCTURE?

I’d say one that always causes me pause…the Rainier Tower.

IF YOU COULD SUM UP YOUR OUTLOOK ON LIFE IN A BUMPER STICKER, WHAT WOULD IT SAY?

Show up! My grandfather used to say this, and my father would repeat it to me often growing up. The first thing you have to do is show up. Then the magic can happen.

WHERE IS THE FIELD OF ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, OR CONSTRUCTION HEADED?

I hope these fields continue to challenge what is considered possible and/or “normal.” These fields are uniquely integrated, and their partnership ensures flexibility, innovation, and informs decisions on how we build and perceive space.

WHAT RELATIONSHIPS HAVE YOU CREATED?

As an African American female, I am highly aware of how underrepresented this profession still remains. Connecting with individuals who share a common goal to provide access, awareness, mentorship, research, and education within various areas of design and construction excites me. My recent volunteer work and roles with the Professional Practice Steering Committee and the Diversity Roundtable have afforded me the opportunity to collaborate and to learn from different perspectives.

WHAT PROJECT ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW?

I currently work for the US Army Corps of Engineers (Seattle District), where I lead our district’s Healthcare Design Programs. My role includes design and construction management of several active projects through our partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN WHAT YOU DO FOR A LIVING?

I usually start with I am an Architect, which ultimately is a problem solver. The ability to find solutions requires ingenuity, pragmatism, and understanding. When we strike the right balance, we can create great work.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TODAY?

I have had the opportunity to talk with educators about their STEM programs and what types of projects they have successfully integrated into their curriculum. I am dedicated to helping shift access to youth and helping to identify ways to integrate STEM programming into curriculum. Every child may not want to become an Architect or Engineer however, creating awareness early on is an important way to show them not just what we do, but to help them understand there is seat for them, should they decide they want to learn more.

HAS YOUR CAREER TAKEN YOU ANYWHERE YOU DIDN’T EXPECT?

Yes, Japan for six years. This was a pivotal point in my career where I experienced firsthand how different cultures and values can shape the built environment. The opportunity to immerse myself in this culture and community reshaped how I approach my personal and professional life.