Blueprints for Success: Grace H. Kim's Top Tips for UW College of Built Environments Class of 2025

Grace was invited to speak to the 150th graduating class of the University of Washington's College of Built Environments. This milestone marks not only 150 years of innovation but also the beginning of a new era, with these graduates poised to leave their mark on the world. The world needs their creativity, vision, and leadership to transform how we live, work, and interact with the spaces around us. Here's to the Class of 2025—your future in design and construction will shape the world for generations to come!

Grace H. Kim and her mom at UW’s College of Built Environments Graduation

“I stand before you as an immigrant child who came to the US from South Korea at the age of 3. I graduated from architecture school 32 years ago…and it feels like it was just yesterday.  I remember thinking my whole life was ahead of me. Despite the recession I was graduating into, I had lined up a job at an internationally recognized firm in Chicago, and I was ready to conquer the world!

While I have accomplished many things in the past three decades, I still share the same excitement and uncertainty about what the future might hold – that you might be feeling today. The rest of our lives are indeed ahead of us.

Whether you are thinking about the party tonight, the trip you might be taking next week, or the job you are about to start - let me share a few “pro-tips” with you.

 

I want you to know there is no finish line. Just because you are graduating, you are not done learning. Be a lifelong learner - be curious, explore new ideas, don’t shy away from adventure. Find people who share your curiosity and work together towards the things you believe in. Don’t think of others as competitors, but rather as allies in your shared work.

There is no time to be idle - there is much to do. We must work with sense of urgency…because if we don’t, it will be easy to make excuses about how you will do it next year, and then next year becomes the next year and soon enough 5 or 10 years has passed and you’ve not accomplished or contributed in the ways you’d hoped.

But that doesn’t mean work hard for the sake of working hard. Work smarter, not harder. Be effective with your time – learn from others around you. As you learn how to do things, share that knowledge. Collaborate and delegate so your workload is distributed and make sure you take time to spend time with friends, with your family, and enjoy time off as you go.  You can go your whole life deferring vacation or time with family and friends because you have a deadline. Make sure you get your work done…but make sure your life is not defined by your work.  No one is handing out trophies for working hard…. I hope that no one ever says “boy that Grace, she was such a hard worker”. Instead, I hope they say, Grace Kim – she made such an impact in our community…on my career development. Be sure to have something you believe in and dedicate your life to creating a lasting legacy.

I encourage you all to strive for a world where kindness wins. Where you can be generous and offer someone a little grace. It won’t hurt you to open a door for someone, look a stranger in the eye and offer a smile, or help someone carry heavy bags across the street – whether they are an elderly woman or an unhoused man. Don’t judge by appearances… remember everyone has a story – if you knew it, might you treat them differently?  Give everyone a chance and give them the benefit of the doubt.  You might find yourself someday needing someone to offer that same kindness and grace to you.

Share abundantly and practice audacious generosity. I taught studio this quarter, and it was a national student competition with a single submission. On the first day I told the students if they learned something to share with their classmates – that in doing so they’d go farther and do better.  And one of the students said she’d never been told to share by an instructor.  If YOU haven’t been given that encouragement before…I’m telling all of you now - Share audaciously!

Live a life where you give generously – to family and friends, to your community to your alma mater, doesn’t matter whether it’s your high school or college…or better yet, one you didn’t go to, in an underserved area, or give to non-profit organizations who is doing good work in your community. By doing so, you might develop meaningful relationships and be remembered for your actions and your contributions.

 

Don’t wait for “someone” or “someday” to build your future. It’s happening now. Every day, you are actively creating your future. I’ve had students and early professionals ask me if there was a single defining moment in time or person that helped me achieve success. Generally, for most of us, there is not one moment or person. For most of you, it will be the totality of your life’s work - your cumulative actions - that will define your success.

Don’t wait to meet the “right person” that will help you become successful or to be given the “right opportunity”. In your first job, in your first volunteer service, in your community… You will meet friends and mentors who will be an important influence on you. When you get to be established in your life/career as I am, you will see that every action you have taken has informed your next steps. And one by one, you will see that these steps have amounted to something – whether that something is great or not will be informed by your values and your decisions along the way.

 

For those of you who know me and my work, you won’t be surprised to hear me say. Look for and create a community wherever you go. Whether it is the group of interns you start work with, or the professional organization you join, or the religious group you belong to – seek out community wherever you are and contribute. If you do, you will always find the support you need.

 

We have been indoctrinated as Americans to be boldly independent, and we have been told that our success is ours alone. Having run my own architectural practice for the past 20 years, I will tell you that it is not true – it takes a strong team working collaboratively together to be successful. AND you will find so MUCH more enjoyment in your success when you have a community around you to share it with.

So look for “your people”, those who you believe in and who believe in you, support them and celebrate with them– and in return they will support and celebrate you.

 

In the autumn of life, you will see that you reap what you sow. If you sow the seeds of kindness and generosity, you will find yourself in 20 or 30 years with the abundance of life, surrounded by family and friends who love you, work that is truly meaningful to yourself and your community. Be careful if you choose to sow the seeds of self-indulgence or personal gain, know that what you might reap in your later years could result in loneliness and isolation at a time when you might be most seeking connection.

 

Over the past few decades, the gap between rich and poor has grown exponentially wider, making homeownership a difficult reality for your generation.  As Courtney Martin notes in her book, the New Better Off, for the first time in the history of our nation, a generation…your generation…will not be “better off” than your parents.  At least not from a financial perspective. Adjusted for inflation, you will be making less money than your parents did at your age, and your cost of living will be much higher.

 

On your graduation day, this might feel defeating…But perhaps we should evaluate and redefine our metrics for measuring success.

For my parents’ generation, the sign of success was to go to college, get married, buy a house, and have 2.5 children – all before the age of 30!  But over the subsequent 3 generations, that paradigm has proven itself to be flawed. And the struggle to achieve this idealized life has often resulted in depression or low self-esteem.

I encourage you to define what success means to you, not what it means to your parents, social media, or popular culture. Rather than letting society dictate the expectations and values by which they will measure your life, think about what you would define as success. That might mean you don’t take the job that earns you more money…rather, opting for the job that helps you make a meaningful and positive impact on people’s lives. That might mean doing the thing you love rather than the thing your parents tell you to love. That might mean sharing abundantly rather than overconsuming.

By setting this metric for yourself early, YOU get to determine whether you are “better off” than the previous generation.

 

By many measures, these are dark times – our freedoms and identities are under attack. People who look like me, many BIPOC people, those who are LGBTQ, those who are refugees or undocumented…many are fearful for their futures.

The economy is failing us – I have heard some of you express your uncertainty about whether you might find jobs in your chosen field. But do not let darkness overcome. I’d like to remind you of a stanza from Amanda Gorman’s poem that she read for Joe Biden’s inauguration, 

When the day comes, we step out of the shade, aflame and unafraid.
The new dawn blooms as we free it.
For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.

 

So go forward and find you’re your light – seek out community, be kind and generous, define your ideal success. And don’t let yourself be oppressed by the circumstances and people who want to extinguish your light.

As you consider the journey ahead, know that your education has prepared you well. Expect to evolve and grow throughout your life. Whether you find yourself in traditional practice, working as the client, in an allied discipline, OR in a job seemingly unrelated to the design and construction of buildings or open space, you can be confident and assured that you will draw upon the lessons of your education-time and time again.

In these last moments of university life, look around you…in the seats and rows around you. You may see some friends, some classmates, and maybe even some strangers. In just a few minutes, as your name is called, you come up on stage and return to your seats, your viewpoint will change. You will see that ALL those around you are fellow alumni. They are now part of your network and possibly your future success. Who knows which ones of you will collaborate, which ones of you will start a company together, which one of you might find yourself standing up here giving the commencement speech in 30 years?

Whatever your next steps may be and wherever your path takes you, know that you are ready. You are enough. You have accomplished something to be proud of.
It is my great pleasure to congratulate you on your graduation.”

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.