Q&A with Hayley

Where are you from?

I am from West Linn, Oregon.

How did you get here to Utah?

I got to Utah after working in Oregon and Washington by way of seeking out firms where I could do the types of sustainable and socially equitable projects I was passionate about. My sister who already lived out here flew home and we loaded up my car with my things and my 40lb Lab mix, Mira and we made the 11 hour drive.  There was a good foot or so of snow on the ground already when we got into Salt Lake and I remember throwing snowballs up in the air for my dog to catch.

What are your hobbies?

I like outdoorsy activities that I can bring my dogs along on, like camping, hiking, cross country skiing, and mild mountain bike trails. I also enjoy painting, playing guitar, reading comic books, and I’ve got a 1981 VW Rabbit Pickup project sitting in a garage right now, as car projects do. I’m just hoping to make progress on that thing faster than the rust does. 

What is your favorite inspirational quote?

“Its not having what you want, its wanting what you’ve got” – Sheryl Crow

Life moves quickly and I love to always be learning and growing toward goals, but this quote reminds me to also appreciate the moment at hand, the people around me and all of the good that can otherwise go unnoticed.

Also, “we are Groot”.

Was there a person or experience that made an impact on your life?

I’d say a lot of people have had an impact on my life. In fact, its harder to think of people who haven’t. Everyone carries with them their own life experiences and story and when we listen, we gain a lot of perspective.  Teachers, mentors, family members, coworkers, soccer coaches and teammates, friends and even strangers sometimes. You all have, in some way, helped me become the person I am and the person I will continue to grow to be.

Tell us something about your job that you are very passionate about.

Adaptive reuse, salvage and deconstruction! I love learning about these topics and getting to be a part of implementing them in the field. The most sustainable thing is the thing you’ve already got. Its fascinating to see the infinite ways we can reuse building materials and start to imagine them as adaptable spaces and material banks for the future rather than future generators of waste.  I think carefully folding what was into what will be is a particularly poetic act. 

Tell us something about your life you are very passionate about.

Kindness, snacks, rock and roll.

What path would you have taken if you didn't choose architecture? 

I originally wanted to draw comic books.  I toured a comic book company called Dark Horse Comics in middle school and got to see the process and loved that.  So probably that or maybe a builder of some kind- furniture or structures. 

If we told you that you get to take the day off work tomorrow, how would you spend it? 

Probably painting, a good record and a glass of whisky and a hike with the dogs.

When you first meet someone, what is something you hope they understand about you? 

That I will 100% draw your dog if you ask.

What is your favorite season? 

I’m not sure I have a favorite season exactly, I just like when it rains. I love a cup of coffee on a rainy day and splashing through puddles on walks with the dogs.