Employee Spotlight: Kelsey Halla Makupson
Auburn Tiger. Huntsville Native. Adversary to any and all spicy foods. When Kelsey Makupson first started at Niles Bolton Associates three years ago, she had no idea just how big of a role her hometown and alma mater would play in her life at NBA. Having the opportunity to work on projects in both locations has been nostalgic and a coming-full-circle moment for her.
On-site at Novare Madison in Huntsville, Alabama
Kelsey graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Architecture before joining the firm in 2019. A recently licensed architect, she is currently working on multifamily and on- and off-campus student housing projects in Alabama, Florida, and Illinois. Along with being NCARB certified and a LEED Green Associate, Kelsey is also a member of the firm’s internal Revit Committee and acts as a mentor to younger employees. Read more about Kelsey’s projects and career below!
Since graduating, is being an architect what you thought it would be?
Overall, yes. But work has definitely expanded on everything I learned in school. The stakes in the real world are higher for sure. After graduating four years ago from Auburn’s College of Architecture, Design and Construction, there are many skills I gained that I still use today such as working towards a deadline, collaborating with a team, following provided guidelines and parameters, and learning to format the project in a way that conveys the information I need to show. The work environment at NBA has allowed me to further develop not only my time management skills, but also managing consultants and their time. Since we are a studio-based firm, I still get the opportunity to work within a team and ask questions as they arise.
What’s the most exciting opportunity you’ve been given since joining the firm?
Having the opportunity to work on projects in both my hometown and my college town. Not being from Atlanta, it’s really rewarding to go home and show my friends and family what I’ve been working on and to see those places grow and develop. It’s very heartwarming to have that connection back home and here in Atlanta.
How was the experience of working on the mixed-use, multifamily project (Novare Madison) in your hometown? What has your role entailed on the project?
“Even being on-site when they were moving the dirt, I would think ‘that’s my dirt, I did that!’”
Novare Madison was the first project I had that was truly my project. From the beginning, I opened the Revit file and drew it from scratch. I was the primary contact for the clients and consultants and had a large part in the final design and material selection process. And now it’s being built only 20 minutes from my childhood home. It’s surreal to think about. That project was my baby. Even being on-site when they were moving the dirt, I would think “that’s my dirt, I did that!” I enjoyed it because I was given the freedom to create but also provided with the necessary support from my team. I’ve also had a lot support from my family and hometown friends who could not be more excited for me. Whenever my parents are out there for a minor league baseball game or meeting friends for dinner, they make sure to tell everyone they know “Oh, you know that project? My daughter did that!”
From rendering….
….to reality!
Your team just wrapped up 320 West Mag, an off-campus student housing development at Auburn University. What was it like working at your alma mater?
320 West Mag was my very first project at NBA. That was day one on the job. The project taught me a lot about communicating with team members and learning NBA’s drawing documentation standards. Now that it’s completed, 320 West Mag has already had a huge impact on campus. When I was a student, there wasn’t enough housing for the school to require all freshmen to live on campus like a lot of other universities mandate. The project is located on axis with a major concourse that runs by the student center, football stadium, and major classroom buildings. It’s like the dividing road between on- and off-campus. It’s a big focal point. I think between the proximity to campus and the surrounding downtown area, 320 West Mag residents will have no trouble being involved with extracurricular activities and meeting new people. The retail on this project is also nice because we were able to replace the old Chick-Fil-A on the property, which used to back up all the way down the street to Toomer’s corner. One of our design solutions to fix that was to wrap the drive-thru around the parking deck to get cars waiting in line off the street.
After completing 320 West Mag, you’re also working on an on-campus housing development for first year students at Auburn. What has that experience been like?
The project is on the same major concourse road as 320 West Mag, it’s all right there. It’s exciting to work on the residence hall because it fits within the character of Auburn that I love so much. Since it’s on-campus, the university provides requirements that ensure the newer buildings fit the architectural style of other campus buildings by matching the brick, roofs, even going as detailed as matching the door hardware. This project has been nostalgic for me. It was funny because I was helping with the unit plans, and all the units had floor mounted toilets and I remember thinking that my dorm and my friends’ dorms all had wall-hung, so I got to digging, and it actually stipulates we have to have wall-hung. Because I remembered that detail, I knew to go look for it. I’ve been able to bring my knowledge of campus into this project which has been rewarding. It’s been cool to experience both on- and off-campus housing project types at my alma mater.
What other types of projects are you working on? Is there a project type you haven’t worked on yet that you’re interested in working on in the future?
I have had the opportunity to work on garden-style apartments, podium projects, townhomes, and parking garages. I feel that I have a well-balanced working knowledge of several different apartment types but look forward to getting more exposure to Type I and Type II construction in the future. I am starting to dip my toes into more project types and getting a broader picture, which has been great experience for me. It definitely doesn’t get boring.
“We’re able to take projects from beginning to end, and it creates well-rounded people, architects, interior designers and landscape architects who are well versed in what they do.”
What’s your favorite thing about working at NBA?
Endless opportunities for growth available due to the studio environment. We’re able to take projects from beginning to end, and it creates well-rounded people, architects, interior designers and landscape architects who are well versed in what they do. There is a wealth of knowledge at NBA. There is always someone who knows the answer to your questions, and if they don’t, they will find the answer for you. If you have passion and are willing to learn and ask for opportunities, you’ll get them. Ask and you shall receive. I’ve only been here three years, and in such a short amount of time, I have grown more than I ever would have thought.
What have you learned from your team?
Jeff Smith is an incredible mentor. When I was working on other developments, he kept encouraging me to be on the Auburn jobs because he knew they would be fun and nostalgic for me. He kept checking in and asking “Hey, do you have time for these projects? I think you would enjoy them.” Jeff is always present and responsive to our team even when he has a full day of meetings and deadlines ahead. In group settings, he’s a great communicator and problem-solver, and if there ever is a conflict, he calms it down quickly. There is a lot I want to learn from him, especially how he handles every situation with level-headedness. I’m not sure how he does it all! I am also fortunate to work with James Connelly. He was a crucial part of helping me complete my AXP hours because I got to a point where all I needed were construction hours, so he would offer to take me on site visits, give me RFI submittals, stuff to get me accustomed and knock out those hours. My team comes from different backgrounds with different experiences and expertise. It makes us stronger as a team when we can all use those differences to discuss ideas and what has worked and what hasn’t worked for us in the past. I’ve learned that there’s not always a right or wrong answer, it’s just what’s best in each scenario. We’ve been able to grow and develop together over the years.
As a member of NBA’s Revit Committee, are there any specific ideas or resources you’ve implemented since joining the firm?
I am primarily involved with the initial overview of the new hires to get them accustomed to how we use Revit at NBA. Everyone comes in with different levels of Revit knowledge, so it’s my job to figure out those differences and suit the training in the best way to help them succeed. I also curate Revit Guides which are one to two-page “how to’s” on a specific Revit topic. Whether it’s doors, walls, or starting a project, we most likely have a guide on our internal network or intranet to address any Revit questions. I enjoy being a mentor to the younger staff because I’m not fresh out of school, but I still feel like I can connect with the interns and younger employees to help bridge the gap between school and work.
You recently got licensed! What advice would you give young professionals beginning to study for the ARE exams? What are the key resources you used to study?
Give yourself a year or two before starting to take the exams. The first test that I scheduled, I was one year out of school, I thought I was ready, and I very much was not so I took a step back and waited another year. There is so much you learn in practice that you can easily apply to the tests. It helped me to have done something hands-on, and then I would read about it after to make things click. Also, don’t psych yourself out – it’s just a test. Decide you want to do it, pick a test, sign up for it, study for a month or two, and just do it. I gave myself two months after signing up for the first test and stayed pretty much nose in books the whole time leading up to it. Afterwards, it was like a rush to keep that momentum going because I knew as soon as I stopped, I wouldn’t be able to get back into it. No matter what test you choose, I believe the first one is going to be the hardest just because you don’t fully know what to expect. Once you get in there and see what it’s all about, you got it! Black Spectacles was my primary resource. I watched every single video and used every study guide; I used the heck out of it. Every study material I used, we have in the office, and they were incredibly helpful. It’s a great benefit that NBA provides these resources for us!
After attending a career fair as an NBA representative, can you shed some light on what you’re looking for when meeting prospective candidates?
It was interesting because 2022 was my first time being on the other side of the table. I saw myself in a lot of these students who were eager to talk to as many people and gather as much information as they could. I look for experience and project portfolios as a baseline, but more than that, I look for their willingness to learn and how passionate they are about architecture.
What’s something that people don’t know about you?
I have absolutely zero tolerance for spicy food. Even mild sometimes is too hot for me. Sometimes it’s embarrassing because my friends will invite me to a Mexican restaurant for dinner, and I have to order a cheese quesadilla off the kids’ menu. Trust me, I’ve tried to train myself to like it. It’s just not going to happen.
You recently got engaged at Auburn! How did it happen?
About a year before my fiancé Mazzan proposed, I told him that when I was a little girl, I always wanted to get engaged at Auburn University. After moving to Atlanta, I mentioned it wasn’t a big deal if it didn’t happen there. Fast forward to 2021, one of my best friends from architecture school who still lives in Auburn invited us to the Auburn vs. UGA game. We met my friends on Samford Lawn which is an iconic place on campus. My friends offered to take a picture of me and my fiancé, and that’s when he popped the question. I did not expect Auburn to play such an important role in my life. It’s where I graduated, got engaged and am currently working on projects. I’m never going to forget Auburn.
