Title: Associate
Company: Sheehan Nagle Hartray Architects
Age: 38
Education: Master of Architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc), Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Chicago
Organizational Affiliations: Member of the American Institute of Architects and Infrastructure Masons; Chicago Shakespeare Theater Producer’s Guild; and academic mentor for Chicago Scholars Foundation and Hampton University, Senior Design Capstone
Achievements/Awards: Distinguished Building Award, Fort Worth Data Center – Admin Building, American Institute of Architects, Chicago Chapter, (November 2020); Notable Women in Construction & Design, Crain’s Chicago Business (May 2021); IM100 Fellow, Infrastructure Masons (December 2021); Education Champion Award, Infrastructure Masons (December 2021); and Notable Women in STEM, Crain’s Chicago Business (May 2020)
My current role as an architect specializing in data center design is what led me to technology. I was drawn to the industry because I recognized its critical importance in the global internet infrastructure and wanted an opportunity to create a tangible impact. While I saw my role initially as being in architecture and not technology, persay, I have come to learn that technology encompasses a broad array of diverse fields and areas of expertise.
Sustainability plays an absolutely critical role in my work and for my clients’ business needs. Sustainability, for me, isn’t simply about building materials. It boils down to the fundamentals of how a building actually works and how the systems are designed — how do we design and operate buildings as passive as possible so that we are not using (and paying for) excess energy?
How the internet is physically constructed. It’s fascinating to learn about all of the parts that come together to make the internet — everything from data centers to undersea fiber optic cables to power grid resiliency, etc.
Aside from my experience working in data center design, I also have a passion for theater and films and currently serve as a member of the Producer’s Guild with Chicago’s Shakespeare Theater.
I love mentoring and sharing knowledge about the data center industry. In this regard, I serve on several education initiatives for young architects, including the iMasons’ Senior Design Capstone project at Hampton University that introduces young architects and engineers to data center design.
I provide thoughtful and balanced counsel for my colleagues and partners, and am a careful listener
Diversity, equality, and inclusion are important to create space for ideas and creativity. When we nurture teams that welcome a diversity of experiences, training, and perspectives, we broaden the range of possible ideas for innovation and productivity.
Most potential — AI/AR, adoption of robotic technologies, and efforts to close the digital divide
Needs the most improvement — The continual push to design more resilient and energy-efficient buildings in the face of the increasing scarcity of resources. By scarcity of resources, I mean designing buildings that reduce water and power consumption as well as designing in locales that are challenging due to climate or pose difficult site conditions. I don’t mean to say the industry is performing badly in these areas. In fact, we’re working very hard at it and making significant strides. Rather, it’s to acknowledge that these will always be challenges for our industry and something we strive to continually be better at.