Hannah may very well be one of our best-traveled young designers. While completing her Bachelor in Environmental Design (BEnvd, class of 2012) from the University of Colorado in Boulder, she studied abroad in Barcelona (2011) and Copenhagen (2012). With her chosen emphasis of Architecture (the program offers four different concentrations), Hannah was a globe trotter seeking out thought-provoking buildings and spaces- from Stephen Holl’s striking Kiasma Museum in Helsinki to poetic European cemeteries like Stockholm’s Skogskrykgarden, sited in a looming forest.

For a week, Hannah escaped to the Scandinavian lowlands of the rolling countryside- which should clue you in of her innate passion for nature. It’s not only a passion, but an expertise. While working at a huge greenhouse in Michigan this past summer, Hannah gained a new knowledge and appreciation of living systems. Surrounded by hundreds of living species, between all the vegetables, fruits, succulents, bonsai trees, cacti, and tropical plants, Hannah learned about which plants lived harmoniously together, and in what climates they would thrive. She’s translated this love of living systems and ecology into architectural applications – creating living walls. Hannah would probably jump at the chance to make you one.

In another life, Hannah was a visual merchandiser at a furniture store converted from an empty roller-rink. She would set up vignettes, playing with light, color and space, to make interesting and appealing environments. She brings all these unique experiences to the table as she begins projects at our firm. Still want to know more about Hannah? We asked her a few of our favorite questions for new hires, and she has some pretty good answers for them: Favorite Designed Object: I really like clocks and watches.  It is interesting how dramatically they have changed over different time periods- the range of materiality and transitions between ornate and simple. Your Ideal Dinner With One Architect or Designer (Bonus: Non-Architect/Designer): Guz Wilkinson from Guz Architects.  They mostly do residential work and I love the way all of their designs incorporate nature into the built environment, “expressing as seamless a transition between the inside and outside.”  I think that nature has a significant impact on a person’s well-being and I am interested to know about the effects it has had on the people who inhabit the spaces, as well as the thought that went into creating them.  I also would really like to visit Singapore, so ideally we would have a native dish in the botanical gardens.

Hidden Talent: I guess I can cook pretty well.  Sometimes it’s just an experiment of whatever I find in the fridge, but it always turns out nicely.  Except for the time I made fried green tomatoes on a whim... that was a complete disaster.  But I like to use all different herbs and spices.  Presentation is also very important. Your Alternate Reality Career: I would definitely want to work with plants: a combination of landscape, organic farming, and flower arranging.  I would also be a yoga instructor.  And if I could fit in the time it would be great if I could design the stages for some of my favorite musical performers and then get to see them play!  I think all those jobs would create a nice balance and allow me to travel frequently.