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Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore © Joseph Romeo
Jewish institutions, which have personal significance to me.
DO YOU THINK THE PANDEMIC HAS CHANGED YOU PROFESSIONALLY? The pandemic has certainly made me scrutinise many issues I might not have in the past. It’s made me a better leader, I think. It’s put a magnifying lens to issues and working methods that happen every day in our firm, or in any business, and has compelled me to think more deeply, react a bit more slowly, and also to consider many perspectives.
WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST CURRENT DESIGN CHALLENGE?
Most of my projects involve existing buildings, historic fabric and campuses. My biggest design challenge these days is to effect timeless design in those contexts, adding a chapter to the story of a place. There’s a lot of communicating, facilitating, and educating to bring clients along on that ride.
DO YOU DESIGN ON PAPER OR ON COMPUTER? I don’t design on the computer. Sadly, when the industry converted to Building Information Modelling, it felt late for me to try to pick up that skill. I rely on trace and lots of markers when I actually get the
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time to draw. And I’m a pretty skilled editor within PDF documents – my own 21st century red pencil.
WHAT DO YOU MOST ENJOY ABOUT BEING AT BBB CURRENTLY? I’ve been our firm’s managing partner for just over a year now. That’s my new adventure, and I’m really enjoying it. It’s allowed me to have a new perspective on the business of architecture and fix my eyes on the horizon a bit more. I enjoy doing what I do for BBB so that my partners and all the staff can shine at what they do.
HOW DO YOU THINK HAVING A GOOD RATIO OF FEMALE TO MALE PARTNERS AND PRINCIPALS BENEFITS THE FIRM?
I believe more female leaders benefit any endeavour, including BBB. We’re not fully there yet, but we’re getting better. I don’t want to generalise about gender characteristics, but I know from experience that our women leaders – at our firm, in our industry, of our clients – bring a different perspective that is much valued and much needed.
WHAT INDUSTRY INNOVATION WOULD REALLY GIVE A BOOST TO ARCHITECTS? Besides fees that value our creative time and energy? Any innovation that
bridges the relationship gap between architects and contractors is welcome. For the best projects to be built, we need to be on the same team, and not just contractually. It’s a two-way street, and there are process and
technology changes – some of which BBB is researching and implementing – that would make it easier for us to be better partners.
WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT FAVOURITE MATERIAL FOR USE IN DESIGNS? There are so many. I love felt as an acoustic material for its warmth and colour possibilities. I love wood for its connection to nature, even in the most urban of projects. I’ve always loved cork as a flooring material that can last for more than 100 years, and still look timeless.
WHAT’S YOUR BIG SHORT-TERM GOAL? Finding the best balance of remote work and in-person collaboration and mentorship for our field. I can’t wait to settle into whatever the new normal ends up being – I’m confident it will be a happy and creative place.
Liz Leber is managing partner of Beyer Blinder Belle
ADF APRIL 2022
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