Meet Joanna McBride | Architect

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joanna McBride and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joanna, what makes you happy? Why?
I love architecture. I enjoy touring historic buildings as well as designing new ones. When I am in the schematic design phase of a project, I feel as though I am putting a puzzle together. There are a lot of variables to work with and bring together to create good design. There are the clients’ desires, zoning, the hoa, building codes, views, sun… and so on. Making the puzzle work is what makes me happy and working with my clients to bring their dreams to life makes it all worth while.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
One of my mentors, Jim Nagle, once said to me, “good eye, kid.” That made me proud, he respected my work even though according to him I was still a kid in the field. I think being an artist helps me see what I want to create for my clients and then helps me represent the idea in a form that helps my clients see it too. Back when I was in school, we didn’t have computers or 3d programs. We had to draw everything for our clients. Having that ability is what makes the design process so rewarding. Now I use the 3d programs but I start with pen and paper. I have to get my hands on the design. And when I am sketching, I am in the zone. I become very focused on the present work and solution. Inspiration shows up. It is the best feeling. It wasn’t easy being a woman in architecture. In my first three jobs out of school all of the management positions were filled with men. I wondered if there was room for me. That thought was always in the back of my head. When I would go to job sites, and even if I was the only licensed architect in the group, no one would address me. Maybe they thought I was there to take notes. I did. I figured if I wanted to be in charge, I would start my own firm.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When my best friends or family come to visit, we like to go hiking! I think AZ is the most beautiful state. There are a lot of local hikes in the Phoenix Preserve and then there are road trip hikes in Sedona or Flagstaff. All are different and all are beautiful. After our hike, we go for coffee or tea. There are a few great choices on the corner of 32nd St and Shea, there is also a great coffee shop called Firecreek Coffee on McDowell and 16th st, which is one of my projects about to open soon. My favorite restaurants are Saigon Nites for Pho, Chelsea’s Kitchen for the brussel sprout salad or Virtu Honest Craft for almost anything on the menu. I cannot offer night spots because I am not much of a night owl. I need to get up early to hike again!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I had a couple of great mentors to guide me at different stages of my journey. My parents helped me realize I should go to art school. My mother scheduled an interview for me at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I loved it! I knew that was where I wanted to go. Then while at SAIC, a couple of my professors, who where all architects, suggested I go to architecture school. I followed their advice and got my MArch. While in grad school, I met two very influential people in my career. Jim Nagle of Nagle Hartray and Catherine Ingraham, who is currently a professor at Pratt. Jim and Catherine could not be more different, but Jim’s influence was more practical while Catherine’s was more theoretical, both important tools in of the process of design in architecture. I worked for Jim Nagle, where I was influenced by his modern design before moving to Arizona. My kids came along and they always made me feel proud to be a working mother. They showed interest in what I was working on and are even architectural critics today. In AZ, I met Nikal Conti, who has helped me understand the business side of starting my own firm. All of these people have shaped the architect I have become today.

Website: tammenrosearchitecture.com

Instagram: @tammenrose

Facebook: tammen + rose architecture

Image Credits
Michael Duerinckx, Daniel Marshalsay