Q&A with Kathy
Where are you from?
I spent my youth grounded in Seattle, but I frequently hiked and canoed through remote, wilderness areas of Washington and British Columbia with a tribe of outdoor enthusiasts. I went on to live in Turkey, which has fed another part of my love of exploration. I met a handsome pilot when living in Skagway, Alaska, who enticed me to SLC in the late 80s. I have since loved being part of a vibrant, underrated, diverse region. Mr. Wheadon and I have traveled consistently, highlighted by travels to Thailand, Albania, Portugal, Sweden, and soon New Zealand.
Tell us something about your job that you are very passionate about.
I believe design has a purpose - to create positive change in people’s lives and address the challenges of the future. That translates into a passion for a whole host of project types, from higher ed to public works.
Tell us something about your life that you are passionate about?
My kids, long-distance hiking, gardening, and cooking. Any day I can be on a trail, I will be happy (yes, even in the rain). While I’m perfecting the fabulous baguette and transforming my yard, I am planning the next section hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. Since she graduated high school, my daughter and I have almost finished hiking the length of Oregon and will, in time, have hiked the remaining 2,150 miles from California to Canada.
What is your favorite quote or mantra that keeps you motivated?
It's not about your greatness as an architect, but your compassion. Samuel Mockbee
Were there any experience(s) that made an impact on your work life?
I think a good life in architecture means you’ve been blessed with a myriad of mentors. I was inspired by my childhood neighbor, Carolyn Geise. As the 21st female architect in Washington, she was inspirational. I owe an incredible thanks to Tom Kass and Martha Bradley, colleagues from the U of U who encouraged me to continue to grow, forever. Bill Miller for making it possible to hang out with a five-year's worth of lecture series speakers, from Glen Murcutt, Elizabeth Diller, and Sam Mockbee. Wally Cooper and Allen Roberts, who did little formal mentoring but a lot of believing in me. I have been blessed to have had brilliant colleagues, innovative clients, and keenly important partnered contractors who have all inspired and impacted my life and work. And now I get to work with Kenner, Megan, and Holli, whom I have respected for years, and I now get to partner with them on a myriad of purpose-driven endeavors with incredible clients.
Tell us something about your job that you are very passionate about.
Every day, I get to bring someone’s dream a little closer to reality. I am thrilled that there are scores of researchers and artists, welders, seniors, dentists, firefighters, writers and musicians, public works teams, nurses, public safety officers, and students and faculty of all persuasions who get to use the buildings I have had the pleasure of designing. Lucky me, clients have been willing to be daring, trust our vision, and we have treated them well by delivering sites and buildings that have exceeded their expectations. What a gift it is to be part of a team of passionate professionals who are always striving for better.
What is the most adventurous or daring thing you’ve ever done?
When I was 15, a friend and I hiked the 90-mile Wonderland Trail around Mt. Rainier. While it was nowhere near the first multi-day hike, I had been on, it was the first I planned and executed without my parents, who simply said, have fun. Thanks, Cindy Corlett, for being another bold girl!
What path would you have taken if you didn't choose architecture?
I can imagine a life as a national park ranger, a river guide, or a pilot might have scratched an itch, but I think I found my calling.
If we told you that you get to take the day off work tomorrow, how would you spend it?
After packing a delicious lunch, I’d hit a trail with my daughter and my dog Louis for a good long romp in the Uintas.
What’s your favorite thing to eat?
I never tire of sushi, but I have been lucky to have eaten Michelin-starred Indian in London, fabulous seafood in Albania, Thai street food, Austrian schnitzel while doing a hut-to-hut hike, and pizza to die for in Naples. Honestly, every adventure should be driven by great food.
What is your favorite season?
I get the most out of summer, but honestly, I am still a kid at heart in the winter. I get up early to see how many inches of snow have fallen, walk my dog after dark in parks, and enjoy anything that gets me out into the quiet woods on foot, ski, or snowshoe.
