The Footnote: Post-Grad Advice for Graduate Architects

With the Class of 2025 graduation just around the corner, we thought it would be a perfect time to ask our staff five questions and share their advice on navigating life after college.

Meet Kriti (M.Arch ‘21), Alex (B.Arch ‘20), Joann (M.Arch ‘10), and Geoff (M.Arch ‘98), four individuals bringing a rich mix of perspectives — each shaped by their journey, role, and time with the company. From fresh perspective to seasoned insight, their diverse backgrounds weave together a dynamic story of collaboration and growth.

How to best prepare for interviews?

Kriti: There are three things that have always helped me. One, do your research on the firm you are interviewing with. Knowing the vision of any potential employer is essential in understanding if they are a good fit for you. Additionally, it indicates to the firm that your interest in them is genuine. Second, prepare a list of things you would like to discuss as a part of the interview process. This includes which projects you would like to talk through in your portfolio, your strengths, and questions you would like to ask the interviewer. Third, be well-rested and bring a positive attitude to the interview. While it can be hard sometimes, this makes a big difference in your conversations.

Geoff: Obviously, we look for people who have the skills required for a position, but I find that the best interviewees are well prepared and demonstrate enthusiasm for the work we do and what they are excited to bring to that work. They usually have some prior knowledge of the work SW does and have done their homework regarding recent projects. SW is a mission-driven firm that looks for people who understand that and share that mission for the work we do as architects, so being able to exemplify one’s work that aligns with our emphasis on community and diversity is helpful beyond your portfolio work.

Looking back, what would you tell your recent grad self?

Joann: Architecture school gave you a great foundation for design processes/thinking, which can be applied to many different career paths. Your experiences outside of the traditional architectural industry will give you the richest experiences to strengthen your architectural work. There will be many times when you will be the only woman/person of color/young person in the room. Take up space, and don’t try to change yourself to fit in. I know it seems scary, but you will find the right office culture if you stay true to your values. Also, invest in a good pair of brown steel-toe boots for construction site visits. You will ruin your favorite black boots if you wear them to a muddy job site.

Alex: I would tell my recent grad self to lean on your friends, your family, your school faculty, and your network. The post-graduation experience can be jarring (especially in such uncertain times as these), but you’ve worked so hard and have much more than you realize to show for it. Do your best and leave the rest. Take care of your health and keep taking steps in the right direction. Everything else will follow.

What, from your education, do you use the most in your work?

Alex: The design process and approach to problem solving.

Geoff: That’s a good question, and now that I’ve been working for 27 years, it’s difficult to think back to what was gained from my education this far removed. If I had to say one thing, it is that architecture education teaches you to be a creative problem-solver. It may not be totally unique to architecture education, but it is a strength of our education that you are given unique challenges that do not have a “right” answer. Therefore, no student’s project work is ever going to be the same. By collaborating in studio and seeing what others do, you can expand your own creativity and problem-solving skills.

What are some skills that are most valuable for entry-level architectural designers to have?

Alex: Familiarity with a modeling and rendering program will likely be important. Revit continues to be the industry standard, so bonus points for that. Softwares aside, what is more important in my opinion is to be an information sponge, to be proactive, and to be curious. 

Geoff: Enthusiasm. We understand that entry-level employees still have a lot to learn about the architecture industry and the work that is required. Therefore, it’s very important to have an enthusiasm to learn, network, share knowledge, and challenge yourself. Beyond just knowing how to operate Revit, for example, it’s important to understand what you are working on and why things are happening with projects. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If something doesn't make sense to you, don’t just accept it at face value. Try to learn about it.

Kriti: I believe that the ability to collaborate effectively is an essential skill to have. Other skills that I have found to be valuable are proficiency in Revit or other core digital tools that you would be expected to use day to day, problem-solving, and eagerness to listen and learn.

What do you love most about working in the architecture industry?

Joann: I love the blend of technical and creative thinking that I get to use on a daily basis to create spaces for organizations that work on big societal challenges, such as food or housing insecurity. I really enjoy getting to know the clients and how they use their spaces. Figuring out the flow of people with the constraints of site, budget, and code is like a puzzle that I find extremely rewarding.

Geoff: I’ve always found that the architecture industry is always changing and very diverse. No project is ever the same. Clients and the community offer a variety of interests to our work. I also love all the collaboration with our co-workers, consultants, owners, and even the contractors. Seeing a project completed and the joyful satisfaction and pride we see from the team is my favorite part of what we do.

Bonus Question: What is your favorite college memory?

Alex: Friendsgiving Potluck

Kriti: My favorite college memory is a dance party we had in studio. It was a couple of days before final review, and one of the many nights we were all working late in studio. A bunch of our friends came in with speakers, blasting music, and taking everyone along with them as we danced our way through the studios. It helped re-energize us to keep going! 

Joann: My favorite college memory is studying architecture at the UW Rome Center, located on the Campo de Fiori. I lived with four other women in the Palazzo Pio, and we created the most wonderful community meals for our classmates with fresh ingredients from the market in the Campo. We were nicknamed the PO5, and joked about opening an architecture office/bakery together one day. I loved roaming the winding streets with Professor Trina Deines, as she shared stories that gave life to the sculptures, paintings, and buildings of the city, then finishing the walking tour with a heaping cup of gelato. It was a trip that awakened all of the senses.  

Joann with her roommates from the Rome Program (the PO5)

What does resilience look like at Schemata?

An architect and thought leader once described the concept of “sustainability” in terms of a relationship one might have with a partner or spouse. If you described the relationship as “sustainable”, that gives the impression of a stagnating or static situation – not necessarily good, bad, or healthy.

At Schemata Workshop, we go beyond sustainability and strive for resilience in all we do. This is readily apparent in the mixed-use, high-performance, internationally recognized building where the office is located at the street level, and the homes of nine families are found above. A vibrant, resilient office culture supports mission-aligned staff working with clients to achieve just and resilient communities.

When it comes to resilience, there are three pillars: environmental, social, and economic. Together, they emphasize the need to balance ecological health, social equity, and economic viability for the long term.

From Redalpi

The environmental pillar is the most recognized and discussed aspect, focusing on protecting, preserving, and restoring our planet’s natural resources. Social equity and the well-being of individuals and communities are also critical. Economic resilience aims to cultivate an economy that is both productive and ensures long-term prosperity without depleting natural resources or exacerbating social inequities.

Our definition of resilience does not focus on any one aspect. Schemata Workshop takes a comprehensive approach to the challenge presented by each project to meet the needs of today while paying it forward for future generations to thrive.

Here are a few project examples that demonstrate resilience:

New Life Housing is an affordable housing project in Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood. Working with the property owner, Shiloh Baptist Church, Schemata Workshop designed two separate apartment buildings that provide economic stability for individuals and families by offering a safe and stable home at a price that they can afford. The project promotes social equity by ensuring all members of society, regardless of income, and including formally unhoused veterans, have access to a quality living environment. The inclusion of community spaces in each building helps foster a strong, vibrant community while improving social connectedness and well-being of residents. As with many affordable housing projects in the State, environmental aspects are satisfied through the Evergreen Sustainable Development Standards.

Rainier Valley Food Bank (RVFB) is designed to enhance the accessibility and capacity of the existing off-site food bank, providing a larger, more functional space to better serve the needs of the local community. RVFB plays a crucial role in ensuring that everyone has access to nutritious food regardless of race, income, or immigration status. RVFB helps strengthen the local economy by supporting individuals and families who face food insecurity, allowing them to allocate their limited resources to other essential needs such as housing, healthcare, and education. The project provides a newly built addition integrated with the renovation and adaptation of an existing structure. Reuse of existing resources like the building reduces resource burden on the project – fewer new materials and fewer materials to be disposed of in a landfill.

The Capitol Hill Transit Oriented Development (CHTOD) is a mixed-use development that seamlessly integrates affordable & market-rate housing, retail, and a public plaza above an underground light rail station. This LEED Platinum-certified project is designed with passive solar design strategies and low-VOC materials to minimize environmental impact while creating a healthy living environment. Residents also benefit from a rooftop community garden, where they can grow a variety of foods and plants. The CHTOD promotes the use of public transportation, thanks to its proximity to the light rail, streetcars, and bus routes. By combining residential, commercial, and communal spaces, the development encourages efficient land use and offers increased opportunities for local businesses and job creation. Additionally, its strategic location ensures residents have easy access to essential services such as food, healthcare, education, and a robust and expanding mass transit system. All while fostering a vibrant and resilient community. 

Skyway Resource Center (SRC) is a community-led and community-owned project. SRC provides healthcare and mental health support services and opportunities to help individuals gain economic independence. Due to the services offered, SRC will create local jobs and contribute to the local economy. SRC fosters social reliance by creating an inclusive, supportive environment designed with the community in mind. It strengthens social bonds and promotes community engagement with the Farmers’ Market and Outdoor Cinema hosted on site.

In a future post, we will take this topic one step further by further exploring applied concepts of resilience, while sharing experience and thoughts on regenerative design.

Welcome to the Team Kriti & Astrid

Schemata Workshop has added a couple of new faces to the office.

Meet Kriti! Kriti is an architectural designer who joined our team at the end of last year. Originally from Ludhiana, India, Kriti moved to the US to pursue her degree in Architecture. She has lived in almost every US time zone and is excited to experience summer in Seattle. Kriti has a passion for dance. She started dance school at the age of 2, even during her educational journey.

Meet Astrid! Astrid has joined Schemata Workshop as Marketing Coordinator and Office Administrator. Originally from the Bay Area, Astrid moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington. Finishing up her degree in Art and Education Studies this last year, she is bringing a creative side to her role. Astrid has a passion for teaching. On the weekend, she teaches youth art classes.

We asked them a set of questions to get to know them!

If you had a time machine that would work only once, what point in the future or in history would you visit?

Kriti: I would like to travel to the Indus Valley Civilization. I am curious to learn about their ways of living and daily practices.

Astrid: The time of the dinosaurs, I just want to see them then I’m all good.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Kriti: I have been wanting to go to Japan!

Astrid: Japan, mostly to eat

If your home was burning down, after family members and pets, what three things would you try to save?

Kriti: My passport, jewelry, and phone

Astrid: My laptop, snacks for the long road ahead, and probably important documents

If you could talk to any one person now living or dead, who would it be and why?

Kriti: My Dadi (Paternal Grandmother). She passed away when I was young so I would love to talk to her life and tell her all about my life achievements.

Astrid: The inventor of cheesecake, to thank them for a delicious dessert.

If you had to give up one of your senses, which would it be and why?

Kriti: This is tough. Probably my sense of smell because I am prone to allergies.

Astrid: Touch, maybe, because then I could realistically try to touch anything without fear.

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

Kriti: I would be Mumble from Happy Feet since I also love to dance!

Astrid: Hill stream loach, all they seem to do is glide, sit, and eat.

Do you have any pets? If not, what sort of people would you like?

Kriti: I grew up with dogs. We plan to get a dog sometime in the future.

Astrid: My fiancé has a lot of shrimp and fish (at least 100) and since I live with him, by association they are also mine.

Name a gift you will never forget.

Kriti: My paternal grandfather gave me my grandmother’s ring which I greatly value.

Astrid: Bo, the big foot Jellycat.

What is one of your favorite family traditions?

Kriti: Sunday brunches with family are my favorite. We always had something special.

Astrid: Going to Din Tai Fung in every city we happen to be in, my mom’s choice.

What is your favorite thing to do in the summer?

Kriti: Walking outdoors in the sun and lying down on fresh grass.

Astrid: Going on long walks.

Spotlight: Local Organization That Are Advocating for Their Communities

For Black History Month, we spotlight and celebrate some of the local Black-owned organizations we have the privilege of collaborating with. 

At Schemata Workshop, we believe in the power of diversity and inclusion and are committed to supporting and amplifying the voices of other organizations with the same mission. The organizations we work with are not only making a positive impact on their communities but are also dedicated to the growth and development of the next generation.

Black Home Initiative website

The Black Home Initiative is a network of nonprofits, private companies, philanthropy, government, and associations focused on addressing the housing disparities faced by Black communities. Its goal is to create more equitable access to homeownership, support Black families in building generational wealth, and increase the availability of affordable, high-quality housing in the Puget Sound region. By uplifting Black homeowners and renters, the Black Home Initiative strives to make opportunities to own a home, and the potential benefits of that asset, available to 1,500 new low- and moderate-income Black homeowners within the next five years. 

1Drop Development Instagram (@1drophomes)

1DROP Development is a nonprofit organization that focuses on empowering developers of color to design affordable and sustainable housing. Through its efforts, 1DROP helps build affordable homes for people of all incomes and stages of life, with an emphasis on equity and inclusion. Recently, 1DROP was awarded a grant by the Washington State Department of Commerce to further its mission of advancing economic development in underserved communities. This funding supports 1DROP’s work to empower local developers, strengthen community ties, and ensure that historically marginalized groups have access to vital resources and opportunities. The organization is playing a key role in creating more inclusive housing options and contributing to the broader goal of equitable growth across the state. 

Nehemiah Initiative Seattle website

The Nehemiah Initiative Seattle is a community-driven, faith-based organization focused on preserving and empowering Black communities in Seattle. Established in 2020, the Initiative works to combat displacement and gentrification by repurposing underutilized Black church properties into affordable housing, business spaces, and community hubs. By partnering with local faith organizations, architects, and community leaders, the Nehemiah Initiative strives to ensure that Black communities remain rooted in Seattle while fostering economic and cultural growth. Their efforts aim to balance development with the preservation of heritage, creating spaces that serve both current and future generations. 

By showcasing these partnerships, we aim to foster greater awareness and appreciation for their incredible work and to encourage continued collaboration and growth. Together, we can build more inclusive and vibrant spaces, and help to create a stronger, more equitable future. We would encourage you to connect with one of these organizations whether it is a one-time donation or advocacy or directly volunteering. Your support will help amplify their efforts.

Schemata’s Commitment: MLK Day of Service at Everest Park

At Schemata, our volunteer efforts at Everest Park are a reflection of our core values and our commitment to our communities. These initiatives demonstrate our ongoing investment in the communities we serve, as we seek to create a positive, lasting impact in the places where we live and work. Participating in events like MLK Jr. Day of Service strengthens our connection to the community and reaffirms our dedication to meaningful, hands-on service.

Everest Park Restroom Facility: Enhancing Community Spaces

Schemata is proud to partner with the City of Kirkland to design a new restroom facility at Everest Park. This project will replace the outdated, inaccessible restrooms, which have struggled to accommodate the park’s growing number of visitors, particularly during the busy summer months.

The new restroom shelter will be a visually striking addition to the park, thoughtfully located for optimal accessibility. Drawing inspiration from the shapes and elements of the adjacent ball field, the design ensures that the facility will complement the park's environment while offering functional, welcoming spaces for all parkgoers.

The upgraded restroom facility will feature:

-          Men’s and women’s restrooms

-          Two single-stalled all-gender restrooms

-          Seating areas for visitors to relax and enjoy the surroundings

-          An overhang to provide shelter from rain in the winter and sun in the summer

MLK Jr. Day of Service 2025: Stewardship with Green Kirkland

On MLK Jr. Day of Service 2025, Schemata volunteers joined the Green Kirkland Partnership to contribute to park restoration and environmental stewardship efforts. Our team made meaningful contributions, including:

-          Removing invasive species to ensure a thriving, balanced ecosystem

-          Mulching to improve soil conditions and promote sustainable growth

Why Volunteering Matters: Making a Lasting Impact Beyond the Project

Volunteering is deeply embedded in Schemata’s values. It is not only an opportunity to give back to the communities we serve but also a way to foster growth, collaboration, and a lasting positive impact. Through volunteering, we empower our team members to create meaningful change—not just in the projects we directly work on but in the broader community.

Our commitment to volunteerism extends far beyond the confines of individual projects. As part of our JUST certification, we encourage each team member to volunteer at least once per quarter, ensuring that we engage with and contribute to the broader needs of the communities where our clients operate. By supporting these communities in ways that go beyond the scope of our architectural and design work, we strengthen relationships, promote shared responsibility, and build a deeper connection with the people we serve.

This approach fosters collaboration, supports sustainability, and reinforces our commitment to the well-being of every community we touch, allowing us to make a tangible difference not just through our work, but through our ongoing presence and dedication to service.