We're starting off a new year of Staff Spotlights with Senior Associate Mary McCarthy! In her Q&A, Mary discusses advice for young designers, why Rome is her favorite city for architecture and more. Keep reading her spotlight below!

Q: What inspired you to become an architect/designer?

I have always been fascinated with the variety of buildings and the impact they have on our lives. Two vastly different looking buildings can elicit the same positive feeling- be it protection, welcome, celebration. Figuring out that alchemy has driven my interest ever since I started sketching buildings and floor plans.

Q: If you could give advice to a young designer, what would you say?

Keep your eyes and ears open. Follow your interests. Take good notes. Oh, and travel!

Q: Do you have any guiding design principles in your process?

Engage with and listen to the people the building will be serving. Constantly evaluate the design at different scales- micro and macro. If you’re stuck on something try- literally- turning the page around to get a new perspective. Use colleagues as sounding boards.

Q: What have been some of your career highlights/proudest achievements so far?

The best feeling for every project is seeing a design on paper take shape on the job site.

Q: Do you have a favorite city to visit for architecture?

Rome, Italy where I studied abroad in college. Growing up largely in farming country in Pennsylvania that was my first experience living and interacting with a city on a daily basis. It has rich layers of architecture from new to modern and offers so many lessons to learn.

Q: Do you have a favorite building or perhaps a favorite architect?

No one favorite building or architect, I love variety. My favorite type of building is a public library.

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