Laura Sherman, AIA
October 4, 2022
My path to becoming a licensed architect began with a love for drawing and curiosity for using this as a tool for understanding my own human experience. With time, I found that the humanity represented in our built environment was one that lacked diverse experiences, including mine and others from different socioeconomic and immigrant backgrounds. I landed in architecture school after connecting to a university with studios of models and drawings rich with interpretation. As an architecture student, there was a sense of belonging and resonance among this library of curiosities and abstract thought. My project ‘The Collective Object” won the thesis competition.
Dorian Shy – Framework Photographic
Dorian Shy – Framework Photographic
I went on to work under Robert M. Cain and Carmen Stan, whom I credit with giving me thoughtfulness in materials and tectonics. Later working at Smith Dalia Architects, my questions took new forms about my design voice and ability to orchestrate the complexities of a project from conceptualization through construction administration. I gained experience with adaptive reuse and new construction in completing the McAuley Center for Mercy Care Atlanta, Skyland Trail Adolescent Campus, Fulcrum Orlando, and Cardlytics at Ponce City Market.
Brian Crumb Photography LLC
I took an opportunity to teach the 2nd-year architecture studio section this year at KSU, where my raison d’être for practice was refueled by a stream of thoughtful dialogue with my students. I also am on the board of Directors for the Architecture Foundation of Georgia and a 2022 graduate of the AIA Georgia Christopher Kelley Leadership Program. Currently, I am an architect with Gensler in the Atlanta work studio and spend my free time renovating my mid-century ranch home and enjoy carving up a linocut block print to decompress.
Brian Crumb Photography LLC
Advice that has stuck with me is to believe that you belong here. In a profession at the cusp of crafting a new image of what an architect looks like, this is something I find myself repeating to students and emerging professionals, especially. There is validity in your emerging voice, design talent, and leadership. Innovation arises when new voices and perspectives are heard.