"I've never met a woman architect before..." The trials and tribulations of being a woman, a lover, a friend, a mother and last but not least, an architect...If you've never met a woman architect before... here SHE is!!! Join Michele Grace Hottel, owner of her namesake architecture and design firm, as she takes you on an exploration into the lives of today's Architects: their first recollections of experiencing architecture, their inspiration, their favorite buildings and what they would like to say about the future of the profession. #architecture #architect #womenarchitects #archimom
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This Episode is sponsored by Minick Materials and Opus 2, MBE LLC:
Minick Materials:
Rock-solid and built to last Minick Materials has been helping contractors, builders, architects and home owners bring their vision to life for more than 60 years.
Christian Nielsen-Palacios is a licensed architect with over 40 years of experience, primarily focused on quality assurance (QA), quality control (QC), and technical specification writing for architectural projects.
Barbara is from Texas and has been in Oklahoma for just over 4 ½-years. She’s a registered Landscape Architect in both Texas and Oklahoma and spends her weekends traveling the state where she has now been to and photographed over 420 towns which is over 400 more than she ever stopped at in Texas where she lived since ‘73. She doesn’t photograph residences or drive through neighborhoods but has seen every architectural style from historic 1800’s brick work to modern glass clad structures. She has been pleasantly surprised at the diversity of Oklahoma architecture because she had previously only drove through Oklahoma on the highway so she never expected the stunning diversity of the state or its architecture. She was involved for a short time with OK ASLA. And before moving to Tulsa, was involved and supported a 4-year high school architecture program in north Dallas. Her son and a friend’s daughter both graduated from that program, and both went on to study architecture. Her son is working on his ARE and the friend’s daughter is finishing her university studies.
Link to MGHarchitect: MIchele Grace Hottel, Architect website for scheduling a consultation for an architecture and design project and guest and podcast sponsorship opportunities:
oday's episode is sponsored by Stone Architect, the natural-stone sourcing company behind the movement Granite Your Planet™ — inspiring cities, architects, and builders to choose materials that truly stand the test of time.
Stone Architect’s mission is simple: build for centuries, not landfills.
While concrete and manufactured products break down every 7 to 20 years — creating massive CO₂ emissions — natural granite is one of the most sustainable building materials on Earth. It’s carbon-light, chemically untouched, and built by nature to last hundreds of years.
From major city streetscapes to public parks, waterfronts, and private developments across North America, Stone Architect helps design teams realize projects that are stronger, cleaner, and dramatically more sustainable for our planet.
If you believe in smarter materials, lower emissions, and public spaces created with intention — join the movement at stonearchitect.org
On behalf of Lutron, thanks for listening. If you’d like to learn more about our product portfolio, visit Luxury.Lutron.com. If you are a specifier, you can also download our free Luxury Experience app for design partners on iPad here.
Have you ever wondered what the story was behind Energy Star? Well listen to this great podcast with Peter Pfeiffer, FAIA Architect of Barley Pfeiffer Architecture and I as we discuss the history of sustainability in the Austin area which became a leading metric for energy savings today.
Episode 84: Interview w/ Stuart Narofsky, FAIA & Jennifer Rusch of Narofsky Architecture
Fleetwood Windows & Doors—the premier Southern California–based manufacturer of luxury aluminum windows and doors. Known for exceptional quality, energy efficiency, coastal performance, fire resiliency, and sustainable design, Fleetwood is proud to support communities in need through their Fire Rebuild Program, now available to those affected by the Pacific Palisades fire.
This episode with Stuart Narofsky, FAIA and Jennifer Rusch of Narofsky Architecture is part of a series on the Wildfire Rebuild in the Los Angeles and Altadena and Environs
Link to the Blog for more Images and Resources:
Episode 83: Interview with Jonathan Segal, FAIA of Jonathan Segal Architects & Development Co.
TODAY’S EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY AWAKE DOORS AND WINDOWS
" Less Us, More View"
Elevate your designs with Awake Window & Door Co.—where precision engineering meets inspired architecture. Awake’s minimal-profile, customizable window and door systems frame views, sculpt light, and deliver stunning aesthetics, all crafted from architectural-grade materials.
But Awake’s more than products. It's built on a social mission to create second-chance employment and foster a culture of gratitude, ownership, and learning. When you specify Awake, you partner with a team that values people as much as performance.
Join architects who trust Awake to realize their vision with clean lines, sustainable excellence, and purpose-driven craftsmanship. Learn more at awakewdc.com and discover “Less Us, More View”.
Jonathan Segal FAIA & Development Company has been awarded six national AIA Honor Awards for their housing work.
They have been responsible for the design and development of over 300 medium to high-density urban residential, mixed use, and live/work units totaling over 300,000 square feet of construction.
Segal is considered one of San Diego, California's most successful and pioneering residential architectural/development companies and has a reputation for providing superior housing at a lower cost than comparable properties. Their focus is exclusively on urban projects, ranging from 80 to 160 dwelling units per acre.
Episode 82: Interview w/ Mani Farhadi, Assoc AIA of Stanford University School of Medicine: Senior Planner
Christian Nielsen-Palacios is a licensed architect with over 40 years of experience, primarily focused on quality assurance (QA), quality control (QC), and technical specification writing for architectural projects. He earned his architecture degree from Universidad Simón Bolívar in Venezuela and later completed a Master’s in the History of Architecture at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY .
After relocating to the U.S. in 1984, Christian worked in various architectural firms, contributing to numerous public school projects. In 1991, he became a registered architect in New York State .
Currently semi-retired, he operates Opus 2 MBE, LLC, offering consulting services that include:
Peer reviews of construction documents
Episode 80: Interview w/ Nicole Cannon, AIA of NCA Studio Inc.
Nicole Cannon, AIA, is the founder of NCA Studio Inc., bringing over twenty years of expertise in design, construction, and management to her practice. Her architectural experience spans hospitality, commercial, education, retail, broadcast, and residential sectors. Nicole is passionate about enhancing quality of life through creative problem-solving and innovative design, from initial concept to final construction. She is dedicated to creating remarkable spaces with practical, sustainable, and imaginative solutions.
Before founding NCA Studio in 2013, Nicole led award-winning, multi-million dollar projects at renowned firms such as Clive Wilkinson Architects, Marmol Radziner + Associates, Pugh + Scarpa, and Osborn Architects. She honed her expertise in single-family homes, offices, restaurants, broadcast facilities, and schools, contributing to numerous high-profile projects including KCRW Radio Station at Santa Monica College, Paperfish Restaurant in Beverly Hills for the Patina Group, Maguire Partners Headquarters in Santa Monica, and Fenton Primary (K-2) Center in Pacoima, CA, as well as several high-end residential projects. Nicole holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
Deeply embedded in the greater Los Angeles community, Nicole has explored how spaces can bring people together and improve quality of life. Her practice and professional associations reflect her passions for sustainable design and leadership. She is a licensed California architect and an active member of AIA, International Interior Design Association, NCARB, and the Association for Women in Architecture + Design. She is also a former chair of the AIA Committee on the Environment.
Episode 79: Interview w/ AWA Arizona Women Architects w/ Joanna McBride & Nick Tsontakis
Podcast w/ AWA: Arizona Women Architects, a new venture that will be coming out soon promoting Arizona Women Architects doing work in Residential and Commercial Architecture. Join Joanna McBride Tammen + Rose Architecture & Nick Tsontakis of Tsontakis Architects as we talk about this newest publication that will include work from Women in Architecture through their own words, drawings, photographs and other forms of creative expression and sponsorship from our Industry Partners. To become and industry partner please contact: Joanna McBride: email: joanna@trarchitect.com phone: 480-467-8006 website: tammenrosearchitecture.com IG: @tammenrose Nick Tsontkis email: nickt@apnpub.com
Link to MGHarchitect: MIchele Grace Hottel, Architect website for scheduling a consultation for an architecture and design project and guest and podcast sponsorship opportunities:
Rachel Green Rasmussen, AIA, NCARB, is an innovative architect with over 17 years of experience, known for creating spaces that balance functionality and inspiration. As a Partner at Architekton, her work spans diverse projects, from educational facilities to community and cultural institutions across the southwest region, all deeply connected to the place and people they serve. She emphasizes climate-responsive, sustainable designs that foster learning, community, and growth. Currently serving as President of AIA Arizona, Rachel champions sustainable development, design excellence, and the profession’s future. Her user-centered approach, cultural sensitivity, and meticulous attention to detail distinguish her as a leader in contemporary architecture.
Link to MGHarchitect: MIchele Grace Hottel, Architect website for scheduling a consultation for an architecture and design project and guest and podcast sponsorship opportunities:
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Alexandra Lange is a journalist, design critic, and author. Her essays, reviews and profiles have appeared in numerous design publications including Architect, Harvard Design Magazine, and Metropolis, as well as in The Atlantic, New York Magazine, The New Yorker, and the New York Times. She is a contributing writer for Bloomberg CityLab, and has been a featured writer at Design Observer, an opinion columnist at Dezeen, and the architecture critic for Curbed. In 2025 she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism for a series on how urban design and architecture affect children and families.
Her last name rhymes with “rang.”
Her latest book, Meet Me by the Fountain: An Inside History of the Mall, was published by Bloomsbury USA in 2022. It received positive reviews in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, The Economist, and The Nation, as well as coverage on NPR Marketplace, 99 Percent Invisible, Decoder Ring, and The Brian Lehrer Show.
Link to MGHarchitect: MIchele Grace Hottel, Architect website for scheduling a consultation for an architecture and design project and guest and podcast sponsorship opportunities:
Peter Pfeiffer, FAIA is a renowned architect, building scientist, author, and sustainability pioneer with over four decades of experience. As the founding principal of Barley|Pfeiffer Architecture, he has led the firm to national recognition for its innovative, climate-responsive designs. A passionate advocate for green building, Peter has beennstrumental in shaping industry standards through his le adership roles in government, professional organizations, and academia. His commitment to making sustainable design accessible to a wider audience has earned him widespread acclaim. With a comprehensive understanding of the built environment, Peter has been published in the Washington Post, New York Times, Fine Homebuilding and featured on the Discovery Channel and National Public Radio. Peter has been honored as the "National Green Advocate of the Year” by the National Association of Homes Builders and named the “Green Superhero of the Year” recently at the International Building Show.
Link to MGHarchitect: MIchele Grace Hottel, Architect website for scheduling a consultation for an architecture and design project and guest and podcast sponsorship opportunities:
Stuart Narofsky, FAIA, is the principal of Narofsky Architecture, a multi- discipline design firm. An AIA member since 1983, he was the recipient of AIA Long Island’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013 and a special recognition award in 2023. His projects are highly recognized through AIA Long Island Archi awards and other prestigious national and international design awards. The firm has been regularly featured in national and international publications, movies, tv series and exhibitions. .Dedicated to pro bono service, he was honored by the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County for his work in designing a children’s memorial garden and for the production of an accompanying short film. Stuart has served on the Advisory board of CRAN (Custom Residential Architects Network) for 14 years and as the CRAN Chair in 2018. In 2016 Stuart was inducted as a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.
Jennifer Rusch, managing partner Narofsky Architecture
Ms. Rusch joined the firm in 2003. As managing partner, Jennifer’s focus is to create a creative studio environment while capitalizing on emerging talent. She leads the interior design team of the studio collaborating with Stuart and his architectural team in a seamless transition through the various stages of design.
Jennifer has worked in various fields in design such as medical, residential, hospitality, retail, and commercial. As well as working in Interior Design, she has experience in Architecture and construction including custom single–family residences, retail stores, and corporate office interiors. Having worked on projects both grand and quaint, Jennifer’s priority is to provide her client with the environment they envision. It is a process in which the client must always remain comfortable, whether the needs be extreme attention to design detain or fast track installation.
Link to MGHarchitect: MIchele Grace Hottel, Architect website for scheduling a consultation for an architecture and design project and guest and podcast sponsorship opportunities:
Segal has been the recipient of numerous accolades including 40 local, state and national AIA awards for residential and Urban Design.
Over the past twenty years, Segal has created and modeled the unique practice of "Architect as Developer", a prototype in which the architect has the ability to become the owner, therefore eliminating the client and the general contractor from the design and building process. Segal teaches this concept of "Architect as Developer" in an online video course for architects. You can learn more about the Architect as Developer course at the link..
Jonathan Segal FAIA is also available to serve as an expert witness for development disputes, construction defect litigation, and condemnation law. Learn more about his expert witness services at the link.
Link to MGHarchitect: MIchele Grace Hottel, Architect website for scheduling a consultation for an architecture and design project and guest and podcast sponsorship opportunities:
A global thinker and creative thought leader, Mani Ardalan Farhadi’s experience spans three decades of design and planning for places of learning. Mani is a Senior Planner at Stanford University, in the School of Medicine. Her passion is focused on creating inclusive environments, in combination with her extensive planning skills. Her expertise is in designing from the inside-out through cultural and human-centered principles. Using collaborative skills, she is instrumental in developing interdisciplinary initiatives and emerging strategies.
Described as ‘the client in the room”, Mani’s keen ability to listen builds consensus within user group settings. Leveraging her perspective, Mani ha
Link to MGHarchitect: MIchele Grace Hottel, Architect website for scheduling a consultation for an architecture and design project and guest and podcast sponsorship opportunities:
Mentorship for architects, especially those in small firms
Translation and proofreading services in English and Spanish
Christian is active online under the moniker “The Grouchy Architect” (Google him!) where he shares insights on architectural practice, quality control, and professional development.
He also maintains a presence on LinkedIn, where he engages with the architectural community, and on Facebook, sharing both professional and personal content.
Christian was featured on the Immigrant Architects Coalition Podcast, discussing his journey from Venezuela to the U.S., his experiences in the architectural field, and his transition into consulting. The episode, titled “How I Became The Grouchy Architect”, provides valuable insights into his career and philosophy.
His Master's thesis at Cornell University focused on the evolution of architectural education, particularly Cornell University's shift from Beaux-Arts to Modernism between 1928 and 1950. This research underscores his deep interest in the historical context of architectural practices.
Link to MGHarchitect: MIchele Grace Hottel, Architect website for scheduling a consultation for an architecture and design project and guest and podcast sponsorship opportunities:
Nicole has spoken on Sustainable Design at Highrise Networks and the Dwell on Design Conference, received numerous architectural awards, and been nominated for the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Women’s Leadership Award as well as list in their Women of Influence 2025. Through her work, she continues to explore and advocate for sustainable, community-focused design that fosters connection and enhances everyday life
Link to MGHarchitect: MIchele Grace Hottel, Architect website for scheduling a consultation for an architecture and design project and guest and podcast sponsorship opportunities:
