Employee Spotlight: Katherine Uhrin
Katherine joined NBA in 2016 after graduating from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Architecture and a Bachelor of Interior Architecture. Since joining the firm, she has been active on multifamily residential and student housing projects across the country. Along with being a leader on NBA’s Young Professionals’ Forum, she is a member of the Auburn Architecture Advisory Council and helps with recruitment efforts and mentorship events. Katherine completed all of her ARE exams in October 2019 and is now a licensed architect in Georgia!
Read more about Katherine’s career and mentoring experience below…
Since graduating four years ago, is being an architect what you thought it would be?
“Our professors teach us how to think and problem solve. Practice teaches us how to manage phases of design, relationships, consultants and contracts for construction.”
Most days, yes. But there is a big difference in wanting to be an architect, going to architecture school and architecture practice. Academia teaches us how to create habitable spaces that can impact the world we live in. Our professors teach us how to think and problem solve. Practice teaches us how to manage phases of design, relationships, consultants and contracts for construction. They complement one another well, but it is hard to understand the reality of practice until you’re actually in it. Since graduating, I’ve gained design and technical experience and developed a better understanding of business and coordination practices.
What opportunities have you been given since joining the firm?
I completed my AXP hours in the first two years of being at NBA, which speaks to the amount of experience I’ve been given since the program covers six different “phases” of practice. I’ve had the opportunity to follow multiple projects from early design phases through construction, be involved in meetings with clients and consultants, and participate in business development events. I’ve also had the opportunity to travel to job sites in different cities, such as our Flamingo Crossings: Disney Intern Housing project in Orlando, Florida. I was brought on early to assist in the design of Flamingo’s community centers and visioning processes for the residential portion (workforce/student housing). During a site visit, our team actually got VIP access to the Disney parks…they really spoiled us while we were there!
The team visiting our Flamingo Crossings Disney Intern Housing site in Orlando, Florida
What has been the most important thing you’ve learned from your team?
Brian Ward, James Stephenson and Michael Kolodzy have all been influential in helping me with my design ability and have taught me different things: how to communicate an idea, how to keep an eye for design, how to work hard and stay positive, and how to manage multiple projects with ease. If I get stuck on a project, they encourage me to keep working and not to give up, and they always give constructive criticism. I appreciate that I can go to each one for advice and get a different perspective.
What types of projects have you been working on? Do you have a favorite?
“Seeing something you worked hard on get built is what we strive to see at the end of the day.”
Right now, I am mainly focused on urban in-fill, market-rate multifamily projects. Camden Buckhead has been a very rewarding project for me. It was the first project I worked on at NBA, and I have been involved with it since Schematic Design. Being involved through all phases of the project, now Construction Administration, is a true reward. Seeing something you worked hard on get built is what we strive to see at the end of the day.
Katherine leading our 2019 Summer Interns and Young Professionals’ Forum on a Camden Buckhead site visit
You currently serve as a leader on NBA’s Young Professionals’ Forum. What have you learned from being in this role?
“Every job, school, and situation are different, and we can all learn from one another’s path.”
I’ve learned the importance of passing along knowledge that my mentors have passed to me. The profession benefits from everyone’s different experiences and lessons learned. Every job, school, and situation are different, and we can all learn from one another’s path. A lot of young professionals come to me for advice on taking the exams, and I do my best to use my successes and failures to help others get to the finish line.
You were recently nominated to be on the 2020 Auburn Architecture Advisory Council. What do your responsibilities include?
Members of the Advisory Council are appointed to a 4-year term, and the council meets in Auburn twice a year (Fall and Spring) to help the program leadership assess program initiatives, explore challenges and opportunities for the school, and engage with students in an advisory capacity. My coworkers have been very supportive of my role on the council. Niles Bolton is actually the one who encouraged me to do it, stressing the importance of staying in touch with alumni. It’s been a very rewarding experience!
As an NBA representative at college career fairs, what do you look for when meeting potential candidates?
Willingness to learn, passion for the industry and self-confidence. Keep an open mind and be eager to speak with everyone you can. You never know what a company, city or work environment will be like until you get your foot in the door. First impressions count so try to be yourself and put the nerves aside!
What are the key resources that you used to study for the ARE exams?
Starting in 2017, I was one of the first people at the company to try and take the entire new version of the ARE 5.0 exam, versus transitioning from ARE 4.0 to 5.0. I purged through NBA’s library of 4.0 materials when I started testing, as well as a variety of textbooks from college. I helped build the ARE 5.0 resources at NBA while I was testing as new material was being released. I also used Black Spectacles, which is provided by NBA and offered a wealth of information for the exams.
What advice would you give to young professionals beginning to study for the ARE exams?
Don’t be afraid to fail. The exams are difficult, and sometimes it takes failing, evaluating what you could have done better, and trying again. Don’t be afraid to ask your peers for advice, you are not in it alone.
What’s been your favorite thing about working at NBA?
“We are separated into studios that stick together so you don’t feel like a fish in the sea, but it’s a big company with a place for everyone.”
The people and wealth of knowledgeable peers are the main reason I chose to work here. Everyone is extremely approachable and there is an expert on every topic. Not only is asking questions easy, it’s usually fun! We are separated into studios that stick together so you don’t feel like a fish in the sea, but it’s a big company with a place for everyone. It’s rewarding to stay in the same studio and work on projects from start to finish. The leadership here gives you chances to earn responsibility. If you’re up for the task, you’ll earn it. The company has helped me grow professionally.
2019 American Campus Communities Charity Golf Tournament in Austin, Texas
