Tell us about your journey. What drew you to a career in architecture and design, specifically in collegiate sports facilities?

Born and raised in Kansas City, I grew up surrounded by sports. I attended the University of Kansas and during my time there was introduced to sports architecture and the niche sports market in Kansas City. After graduation, I went on to work for HNTB for 13 years and 7 years at DLR Group. I joined ArchTam in 2024 as Director of Collegiate Sports, dedicated to driving innovation and excellence in the design and renovation of stadiums, arenas and training facilities across the nation. I’ve led projects in the collegiate space with ArchTam at universities such as the University of Central Florida, Tulane University and East Texas A&M.

You’ve spent over 20 years focusing on public assembly venues and athletic training facilities. What’s kept you passionate about this space?

I’ve worked on basketball arenas, football stadiums and training facilities across the nation that are all unique in their own way. Though the programs can be similar, it comes down to how you handle them, how you site the building and how people end up using the building. I grew up loving sports, so being able to turn on college basketball and see the legendary arenas that I’ve worked on is a rewarding feeling that keeps me going.

As Director of Collegiate Sports, how do you define “next-generation” sports environments?

We’re witnessing a more revenue-focused generation than we’ve seen in the past. For us, it’s all about creating environments that everybody wants to be in as opposed to staying at home and watching games on TV. The other factor that we’re seeing is more integration with technology. Venues are now utilizing apps to order concessions and interact with the space. The integration of technology and improving the fan experience will only continue to evolve.

Your leadership style emphasizes mentorship and collaboration. How do you cultivate that culture within your teams?

Honesty, openness and willingness to communicate with the team — particularly the reasons why we do something, not just what we’re doing. I’m always trying to cultivate people to think critically, be engaged and ask the question “why.”

You’ve worked with some of the most iconic collegiate programs. Are there any standout projects or moments that have stayed with you?

My first project out of school was at the University of Michigan’s football stadium, “The Big House.” I’ve stayed in touch with the client for nearly 20 years and can tangibly see the success of the project watching Michigan home games. It really showed me that this industry is about much more than the project, it’s the relationship with people around the project you’ve built. Additionally, my work at Duke University’s Cameron Indoor Stadium remains a career highlight, as being part of such an iconic and historic arena left a lasting impression on me.

What major trends are shaping the future of collegiate sports facilities right now?

It’s crucial to embrace the local environment where the facility is being built. We’re beginning to witness the importance of real engagement of the region or city where the university is and showcasing pride in it. This can occur through things like having local vendors or theming aspects of the facility around something specific to that city. Sports anchored lifestyle and entertainment districts are being developed all over the country and they are very exciting to think about the integration of sports and lifestyle.

You’re currently leading several collegiate pursuits involving stadiums, arenas and training centers. What excites you the most about being a part of these world-class projects? 

When it comes to a competitive venue, you’re engaging in the way that the fans, alumni, donors and staff experience sporting events. It’s special to be able to say that you played a part in influencing new traditions or the way that people experience a game. We see opportunities on the horizon with some of the largest and most respected universities in the country that directly align with ArchTam as a firm.

What advice would you give to young architects or designers who want to enter the sports facility space?

There are so many more variables to consider when entering the sports architecture field as opposed to designing commercial spaces. You have to be able to collaborate with a large team and articulate the things that you’re interested in early on in your career. Be curious about why design is done in certain ways.  In my opinion, sports design is the peak of what we do because it impacts so many people.

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For Natalie Brodie, archaeology has always been her path. What began as an early passion, evolved into a leadership role guiding cultural resources efforts across California. Her work is driven by a deep respect for the state’s heritage and a commitment to helping communities progress responsibly.

Tell us a bit about yourself — your role and career journey.

I joined ArchTam in 2020, bringing more than 24 years of consulting experience. Today, I serve as the Cultural Resources Lead for California, overseeing teams across both Northern and Southern California. Stepping into this leadership role has been especially rewarding, offering the chance to support others as they grow, succeed and shape meaningful careers.

My path to archaeology began early. I knew I wanted to be an archaeologist by the time I was 12, even if I didn’t yet know how to turn that passion into a profession. I started my undergraduate studies at University of California (UC) Santa Cruz as a biology major, but once I transitioned into applied anthropology and archaeology and transferred to UC San Diego (UCSD), everything fell into place.

A field school in San Diego County, sponsored by a local consulting firm and UCSD, provided hands‑on experience in excavation and data collection and led directly to my first job in the field. After spending about a decade as a field archaeologist, I earned my graduate degree in applied anthropology from San Diego State University, which supported my transition into project management and leadership roles. Discovering my place in this profession and growing into a role where I can lead and support teams statewide has been an exciting journey.

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.

One of the most impactful projects I’ve worked on was providing cultural resources compliance support following the debris removal efforts after the Los Angeles wildfires. I served as the Principal Investigator on the project. Our team was working seven days a week, coordinating archaeologists, architectural historians and construction crews as debris was removed from more than 12,000 home sites.

There were areas, particularly in the Palisades, with very high archaeological sensitivity due to thousands of years of human occupation. We documented previously recorded sites, gathered photographs and detailed notes, and collected as much information as we could under challenging conditions. While I didn’t meet most of the individual homeowners, knowing our work helped people take the next step in recovery was incredibly meaningful.

How does California’s unique culture and character influence your approach to your work?

California is a truly special place, environmentally, culturally and historically. The state’s rigorous regulations, particularly under CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act), reflect a shared commitment to recognizing and protecting what makes these resources meaningful.

A large part of my role is education, helping clients understand which cultural resources are important and how we can protect them while still achieving project goals. That starts with understanding our clients’ priorities and the communities they serve, then working together to find solutions.

Sometimes that means design adjustments to minimize impacts. Other times, it means acknowledging when a significant resource requires a pause and a different approach. Either way, the goal is thoughtful, responsible progress.

Talk to us about a project that has been a highlight of your career.

One project that really stands out for me was an excavation in southern San Diego County near the border with Mexico at a known archaeological site. What made this project special was that it gave our team the chance to add something entirely new to the archaeological record, which doesn’t happen every day.

As part of additional surveys required by the county, we conducted protein residue analysis and uncovered evidence of freshwater fish, specifically trout, in an area that today is dry, rugged and not at all what you’d expect. There’s very little evidence of freshwater fish in San Diego County’s archaeological record, so this discovery helped fill in a missing piece of how people lived, what they ate, and how they adapted to their environment thousands of years ago.

Finding something that genuinely expands what we know about a region is incredibly exciting. It’s one of those moments where you realize cultural resources work isn’t just about compliance, it’s about discovery.

At the same time, I’m equally proud of the everyday infrastructure work we do for major clients like Caltrans, where cultural resources play a critical role in shaping projects that support the future. Initiatives like roadway improvements, wildlife corridors and broadband installation may seem routine, but they are essential to community progress. One example is the statewide Middle Mile Broadband Project with Caltrans, which is bringing high‑speed internet access to rural roadways and communities across California.

By expanding connectivity in underserved areas, the Middle Mile Broadband Project helps create opportunity and positions communities for long‑term growth, resilience and better access to essential services. Our team supports this effort by working closely with designers to avoid impacts to cultural resources while keeping these critical projects moving forward.

Share a piece of career advice.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the value of being your own advocate. Early in my career, I waited for others to notice my skills and accomplishments. I eventually realized how much more effective it is to speak up, highlight your work, and advocate not only for yourself, but for your team.

Today, I make a point to advocate for the people I work with and ensure their contributions are visible. As a leader, I’m always looking for someone who could one day take my job.

The post People Spotlight: Meet Natalie Brodie appeared first on Blog.

For Monica Wilson, history isn’t just something to read about, it’s something to uncover, preserve, and share with communities. Monica has spent the past decade ensuring the stories embedded in our built environment remain part of the places we live, work and travel. Her passion for history shines through in every project, helping keep California’s rich heritage alive and accessible today, and for generations to come.

Tell us a bit about yourself — your role and career journey.

I’ve been with ArchTam since 2015, and it’s been an incredible journey. Before joining the team, I worked on historic preservation projects that first sparked my passion for protecting cultural resources. I grew up in Southern California and later headed north for graduate school at California State University in Sacramento, where I focused on historic preservation, and the history of the American West and California. That background gave me a strong foundation and ultimately led me to a career in historic preservation.

Most days start with research and planning, but that’s just a piece of the work. I spend a lot of time out in the field, boots on the ground, documenting resources and figuring out how projects might impact them. Tribal outreach is another important part of my work, making sure we honor and respect cultural heritage throughout the process. We support agencies meet their Federal regulatory responsibilities under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and often work closely with agencies like the Federal Transit Administration, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the National Park Service, and local agencies. It’s work that combines technical expertise with storytelling and that balance is what keeps me passionate about what I do.

Transportation projects have been a major part of my career, and I’m thankful to be working in California where the highway system is one of the most intricate and expansive in the nation. I’ve had the opportunity to work on projects where even the roadway itself is historic, traversing districts that tell stories of engineering feats and cultural evolution.

Every project is a chance to protect history while supporting progress, and that’s what makes this work so meaningful to me.

How do you incorporate community involvement into your work?

Community is at the heart of historic preservation. It’s not just about old buildings, there are so many resource types we analyze, including landscapes, bridges, roads, dams, canals, farms and utilities, that hold meaning for the people who live there. These resources are often the lifeblood of neighborhoods, symbols people connect with and care deeply about.

One of my favorite parts of the job is uncovering stories that even longtime locals didn’t know existed. Sharing those discoveries is so rewarding, especially when clients incorporate them into interpretive panels or websites that offer such a public benefit and celebrate local history.

Southern California is where this work feels especially personal for me. I was born and raised in Riverside County, and the region’s diversity of resources and communities makes every project unique. From Los Angeles to the Inland Empire to San Diego, I’ve seen firsthand how our work impacts communities in meaningful ways.

Preserving the look and feel of a corridor or integrating historic buildings into modern designs helps maintain a sense of place.

Talk to us about a project that has been a major highlight of your career.

Two projects stand out for me. The first is our ongoing work at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center, where we’ve surveyed numerous historic-age properties across the campus. Each with its own story about America’s space program and scientific innovation. This long-term effort, which began in 2014, is providing Section 106 compliance services for facility improvements to further cutting-edge research, all while preserving their historic integrity. It’s a fascinating intersection of science, design, history and innovation.

Another highlight was the cultural resources effort following the Palisades and Eaton wildfires in Los Angeles. Our team worked quickly to document the historic properties within the impacted communities, like the Andrew McNally House in Altadena and the Department of Water and Power Distributing Station No. 29 in Palisades, both of which were designed by master architect Frederick Roehrig. Our team provided monitoring during the private property debris removal process to protect archaeological sites. The work was challenging, but documenting the area’s history ensures that even after loss, communities can continue to honor and celebrate their heritage.

Share a piece of career advice.

One of the most rewarding parts of this work is helping position people for success and supporting young professionals as they grow. My best advice is to get to know your team and their strengths. Cultural resource management is complex, no one person can do it all. If you don’t know how to do something, know who to ask. Collaboration is key, and watching a well-coordinated team tackle challenges efficiently is both inspiring and a reminder that great outcomes come from leveraging collective expertise.

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Jamie Wong is the digital lead and senior GIS analyst, Taipei. Her journey with ArchTam began in Hong Kong, where she played a key role in advancing digital capabilities and supporting digital transformation initiatives for the government, including the 3D Visualisation Map, a groundbreaking 3D map that forms part of Hong Kong’s smart city blueprint. She now drives digital integration and workflow optimization, leading the Taiwan teams in delivering smarter solutions for planning and design. Her work reflects a commitment to shaping more connected, accessible and sustainable cities through the power of data and innovation.

What inspired you to join the industry?

I’ve always been fascinated by nature and curious about how landscapes are formed. That passion led me to major in Geography in college. During my studies, I discovered Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and realized how much I enjoy working with maps — especially those that reveal the contours and elevations of topography. Maps aren’t just visual tools; they tell stories through data and projections. They offer countless ways to present information and can be interpreted from multiple perspectives. Beyond navigation, maps serve as powerful tools for analysis, planning and understanding the world around us. That realization sparked my interest in applying GIS professionally, which eventually brought me to ArchTam as a GIS Analyst.

What is an impactful or favorite ArchTam project you’ve worked on?

One of the most memorable projects I worked on was developing a 3D outdoor pedestrian network in Hong Kong. We developed a detailed 3D network that identifies stairs, escalators, lifts or covered walkways for the entire Hong Kong territory. These details enable people to navigate Hong Kong’s complex urban matrix with ease. For example, wheelchair users or visually impaired individuals, can prioritize accessible routes based on their needs, as it is also possible to select covered walkways during rainy days.

Building this dataset was challenging. It required meticulous data checks, so we developed validation rules and automated them into a checking program. The effort paid off because the data now supports multiple applications, such as walkability and accessibility analysis, and even contributes to urban planning for a more pedestrian-friendly city.

This was my first major project at ArchTam, and it opened my eyes to the importance of data in creating digital cities and the power of spatial analysis — overlaying different geospatial data layers to solve real-world problems. Since then, I have worked on establishing GIS data standards to support Common Spatial Data Infrastructure (CSDI), integrating open BIM and open GIS data by establishing Government BIM Data Repository, and building up the 3D Visualisation Map — all of which made me realize the importance of data sharing, governance and standardization. These projects gradually form parts of Hong Kong’s Digital Twin, which acts as the foundation for enabling more data linkage for analysis and better decision making.

How do you see Digital and GIS evolving?

Automation has been one of the most rewarding aspects of GIS for me. Early in my career, I worked on projects that required constant GIS analysis and integration with CAD and BIM data. Every design iteration means importing data and running analyses repeatedly, which is a time-consuming process. So, we developed automated workflows and custom programs, which saved us time and allowed for better design and precision.

That’s how my role has been gradually evolving around digital transformation. Understanding workflows, data inputs, outputs and conversion, and most importantly the “pain” that our colleagues experience in manually doing tasks, has been a key driver in digitizing and streamlining our daily work.  This journey has expanded beyond the Digital team to other business lines, and from our Hong Kong office to other locations, such as Taiwan, where I now serve as Digital Lead, driving automation initiatives and improving efficiency. Adding a fresh perspective, our team partners with business lines to organize and standardize workflows while collaboratively exploring potential digital and AI tools.

Recently, I contributed to an urban planning project in Taiwan aimed at showcasing ArchTam’s Urban Advisory services. Rather than delivering a single recommendation, we collaborated with the client to capture their priorities and developed a decision-making matrix offering multiple scenarios. My role focused on creating an interactive geospatial web platform to visualize these options in a dynamic and user-friendly way. This approach exemplifies digital transformation, shifting from static, paginated reports to an interactive experience that fosters active client engagement and meaningful feedback.

With AI, I see the potential to further automate processes. This can lower entry barriers, making automation accessible without requiring deep coding expertise. Technology is advancing rapidly and we’re heading towards fully digital environments. Each day brings new possibilities, which is exciting. I’m grateful to be part of this digital journey and look forward to seeing digital and geospatial technology continue to evolve as a key driver of smarter and more connected infrastructure and cities.

Share a piece of career advice.

Stay curious and embrace change. Whether it’s GIS, digital transformation, AI or construction consulting industry in general, we thrive on innovation like automation, data integration and emerging technologies. Keeping track and learning can be overwhelming sometimes, but adaptability and problem solving will set you apart.

The post Digital cities in action: Meet Jamie Wong appeared first on Blog.

You’ve worked on major sports venues globally. What lessons from these projects do you bring to new developments?

Each new venue raises the bar in terms of design ambition, technology integration and user expectations. Allianz Arena was groundbreaking in the use of ETFE in its façade, which not only gives it its iconic visual identity but makes it highly durable. AAMI Park, with its lighter yet complex roof, pushed the boundaries on structural analysis and optimisation.

These experiences have shaped our approach to projects like Macquarie Point Stadium, where we’ve combined lessons from innovations on past projects with cutting-edge tools to understand occupant comfort and pitch performance and test different stadium forms until we find the best based on structure, performance, cost and aesthetic. The focus is always on elevating the fan experience, embedding flexibility for future uses, and ensuring the venue can adapt to evolving event formats and technologies.

How do you ensure stadium designs cater to both spectators and athletes?

Over a typical 3–4-year design and construction process, technology and user expectations evolve significantly. The design needs to anticipate how future technologies may impact the built form and how spectators experience the venue.

At Macquarie Point Stadium, we placed significant emphasis on comfort modelling to ensure all public areas are welcoming all year-round. This caters to interstate travellers who expect a similar fan experience to what they are offered in their home city. Our design prioritised intuitive circulation, quick egress, universal access and proximity to food and beverage, all within a distinctive architectural setting. For athletes, we designed high-performance environments: generous change facilities with dedicated physio/strapping area, aqua recovery, optimal playing surfaces, airflow and temperature control, and secure, efficient arrival and departure routes.

Increasingly, venues are designed to foster closer interaction between fans and athletes, with premium experiences, such as field club lounges, and pitch-side access. Event overlay flexibility is also critical to support a wide range of uses beyond sport.

How do you maximise value while balancing functionality, sustainability and long-term operational costs?

Technology has transformed how we design. We can test and iterate far more options than ever before, allowing us to optimise for performance, cost and sustainability.

A multidisciplinary, integrated design approach is best, bringing together architecture, engineering and specialist disciplines under strong design leadership. This is the right approach for coordination across technical disciplines and delivers the best project outcomes.

At Macquarie Point Stadium, sustainability was embedded into the design from the start. We assessed embodied carbon across design options, giving the client clear visibility into the environmental and financial impacts of every decision. Passive design strategies and efficient spatial planning also help reduce the venue’s long-term operational costs. A venue’s unique architectural identity and adaptability can drive long-term value by attracting more events. A durable, future-proof design reduces maintenance costs.

How do you design sports and entertainment venues to serve their communities well beyond the initial investment? 

Flexibility is key. Venues must be able to evolve to suit different event types, audience sizes and community needs. Equal access is a non-negotiable. Everyone, regardless of mobility and ability, deserves an unforgettable fan experience.

We also activate the venue’s perimeter to create a vibrant precinct, even on non-event days, integrating retail, hospitality and community spaces for year-round entertainment, quality of life benefits and economic value for vendors and the city. Holistic precinct planning ensures the venue is embedded in its urban context, with strong connections to public and active transport routes, and other commonly frequented, surrounding public spaces. Function spaces are designed for versatility, supporting everything from grassroots sport to major events.

At Macquarie Point Stadium and its surrounding precinct, features like The Goods Shed (historically used for railway operations and redeveloped into a hub for a range of entertainment events), the signature roof design, and proximity to the CBD help create a unique identity, sense of place and connection to other spaces.

What excites you most about future sports and entertainment infrastructure in Australia? 

Australia’s approach to sports infrastructure is unique. Unlike international markets, where venues are driven by franchise success, many Australian venues are publicly funded and deeply connected to their communities. The MCG is a great example: iconic not just for one team, but as a shared cultural landmark. This shapes how we design, focusing on inclusivity, affordability and broad appeal. Australia’s strong sporting culture that permeates across all cities, regions and towns means there’s ongoing demand for high-quality venues that meet modern fan expectations, even outside of major cities.

Events like the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games will catalyse a new wave of investment, not just in Brisbane, but across the country. This presents a tremendous opportunity to renew our national infrastructure and attract global entertainment acts. It’s an exciting time to design venues that are accessible, functional and culturally significant.

Describe the feeling you get when you sit in a stadium you’ve designed, as a fan.

When I am in a venue I designed, I initially can’t stop myself from ‘inspecting’ some of the key details that took time and thinking to resolve. But after some time, I settle and enjoy the event and experience of the space. The memories of the design and the construction process often remain vivid.

It’s rewarding to see something that I spent years imagining come to life. Observing how large crowds share experiences and enjoy the space in the way it was anticipated brings me joy and pride.

The post Changing the game: Meet Jochen Ristig appeared first on Blog.

Having grown up in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales where a passion for the environment and outdoors started, Hayden has gone onto work in landscape design, urban design and master planning for infrastructure, residential, tourism, commercial and open space projects. His project experience extends both locally and globally, including widely across Australia and New Zealand, the UAE, Oman, Algeria, Caribbean, Hong Kong and China. Through that experience, Hayden has worked for the Sydney, Abu Dhabi, Canberra, and now the Gold Coast office, having recently moved back to the Northern Rivers.

The one thing that remains a focus through every project, is a drive to design for people, and delivering positive community outcomes through ‘people-centric design’.

Where did this drive for designing for people come from?

My passion for people-centric design didn’t start at a single point in time, it evolved over the years. My first project at ArchTam was the One-horned Rhinoceros and Otter Exhibit at the Dubbo Western Plains Zoo. This involved curating both the visitor experience and the animals’ enclosures, addressing the unique challenges of keeping rhinoceroses safe in captivity. I vividly remember spending countless hours researching African villages and landscapes. Our goal was to interpret that quintessential character into an immersive experience for zoo visitors. This exhibit marked a shift for the zoo, allowing visitors to experience larger animals up close.

Over the years, working in various locations and among different cultures, my drive to deliver engaging and community-valued projects grew stronger.

Every project is an opportunity to find solutions that lead to positive outcomes. For me, a project isn’t complete until I see people interacting with it. There’s a unique satisfaction, an internal smile for a designer, when people start using and engaging with what you’ve envisioned and delivered.

How does your passion for people-centric design influence your projects?

Over the years, ArchTam has evolved its focus from a collection of singular design disciplines to large interdisciplinary projects where we collaborate to solve complex challenges. I find these kinds of projects that involve a diverse group of design disciplines, backgrounds, ages, identities and ethnicities most enjoyable. I’m fortunate to work at a company that prides itself on inclusivity.  

As a landscape architect, I advocate for outcomes that prioritise both People and Place — ensuring our designs are not only functional and beautiful, but also meaningful and impactful for the communities we serve.

Is there an ArchTam project that sticks in your mind?

There are many, but one in particular that I take personal pride in. Initially, it wasn’t a project.

I was working on a new bus station that connected to a new light rail terminus. With the new terminus, buses were no longer operating on the main street. I saw an opportunity to transform the main street into a space where pedestrians were prioritised, enhancing street activity and benefiting adjacent shopfronts. I was confident that by focusing on people, the north side of the street could transition from service outlets to on-street dining and eateries. Three design options reached the transport minister’s desk, and the project was created. I led all design disciplines to create a new people-centric street.

Today, that street safely connects school students to public transport, features outdoor dining, public seating, street furniture, mature trees and rain gardens, all while retaining car parking and car movements.

How does the role of the landscape architect fit with people-centric design?

The ‘traditional’ role of the landscape architect, varied in its definition, is someone who designs and plans outdoor spaces, blending functionality with aesthetics to create beautiful and sustainable environments.

I have learnt over the years, that landscape architects have such diverse roles in the natural and built environment. The typical design process of a landscape architect goes beyond considering environmental factors of sun, shade, wind and slope. We consider the existing desire lines of the local communities, connections, nearby facilities and demographics to understand our target users. We’re also relatively unbounded by rules. We have a few standards that deal with access, trips, fall heights, ramps and stairs, but we aren’t overly prescribed on the shape and size of what we create. We immerse ourselves in understanding the user, how our design will function, how people will engage in it, how it will benefit health and well-being and its economic, cultural and social value.

This process is what makes us acutely people-centric designers.

The post Enhancing communities through people-centric design: Meet Hayden Rosser appeared first on Blog.

A Chartered Engineer with 25 years’ experience, Jon is based in our London office and leads our Sports + Entertainment sector for UK&I, Europe, Middle East and Africa and is connected to our wider Global Sports practice bringing extensive knowledge on the latest trends in venue design.

Jon has carried out the role of Project Director on many of ArchTam’s most complex and iconic building schemes in the UK and internationally. He also leads a specialist team experienced in long span roof, advanced geometry and complex structural modelling, façade engineering and Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) design.

What drives your approach to delivering high-performance sports venues, and how has your role shaped that?

Sports and stadium projects are highly complex, weaving together a myriad of technical challenges, fast-paced environments and multiple stakeholders often with very different drivers and interests. Leading these projects requires a strong combination of people management, technical insight and commitment. 

Over 15 years, I’ve grown from structural engineer to leading multi-discipline teams and acting as design delivery director for many major projects. I currently lead ArchTam’s Sports and Entertainment Sector across Europe and the Middle East, working predominantly on the design of major venues. I’ve been lucky enough to work on notable projects in the UK and Ireland, including the new Power Court Stadium for Luton Town Football Club, Windsor Park and the Curragh Racecourse. I’ve also delivered venues for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio in 2016, FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, and multiple developments across Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, Asia and Australia.

For clients, stadiums are often once-in-a-generation investments. Success depends on early-stage clarity in team setup, project briefing and business case alignment. My goal is for our team to become a trusted partner to our clients — a focused group of experienced designers, advisors, and decision-makers who bring in the right specialists at the right time to deliver maximum value from project inception through to construction and operation.

I’ve had the privilege of working with —and learning from — some of the industry’s most talented designers and consultants, both at ArchTam and through our world-class collaborators and partners. Leading high-performing teams and mentoring emerging leaders has been a particularly rewarding part of my journey.

From a delivery perspective, what does it take to create a stadium that reflects its local community while meeting global standards for fan experience?

Every sports client has its own unique history, geographical connection, and relationship with its fans and their communities. At the same time, clubs and venue operators are increasingly looking to host ever more ambitious and inclusive event programmes that appeal to diverse audiences and users. As designers, we help our clients navigate complex commercial pressures and deliver assets that are both commercially viable and aligned with their long-term goals.  

Venues must engage the next generation of tech-savvy supporters while preserving traditional matchday experiences. Our experience working on major events and multi-purpose community venues helps ensure our designs deliver the best of both digital and physical fan experiences while being flexible enough to adapt to changing needs over time.

We are currently designing Luton Town FC’s Power Court Stadium in collaboration with SISA and Klaska. It is a strong example of how a stadium can become an integrated piece of civic architecture and urban design, respecting the site’s rich history while navigating complex constraints. We collaborated closely with the Club and project team to deliver a fast-track planning submission, supporting their significant investment in stakeholder and community engagement to secure a smooth path through the approvals process. While the stadium itself will enable the latest in technology — AV, lighting, broadcast, frictionless service and low energy design — the Club’s vision is rooted in the spectacle of the game and live fan experience, creating a new town-centre destination with the stadium at its heart.  

Similarly, the phased redevelopment of Windsor Park Stadium, delivered by us with Holmes Miller Architects, created a highly successful national stadium and home for football in Northern Ireland. While nationally important, the stadium remains grounded at a community level, providing a home for Linfield FC as well as leisure facilities for local clubs and residents. 

How do you help clients shape stadiums that deliver long-term value — commercially, sustainably, and through their ability to adapt over time?

I led our UK-based engineering team on Al Janoub (Al Wakrah) Stadium with Zaha Hadid Architects; the first new-build stadium for the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the centrepiece of a new public sports precinct south of Doha.

Al Janoub Stadium was a true path-finder project: a fully cooled 40,000-seat open-air stadium that could host World Cup matches during the tournament and later be reduced to a 20,000-seat capacity. When we began the project in 2013, the decision to move the tournament to winter had not yet been made, so our focus was on ensuring it could be delivered in the summer. In doing so, we helped establish program-wide standards and procedures for technical design, computational analysis, constructability, BIM, safety, and sustainability — setting benchmarks that shaped many of the stadiums that followed.  

Creating a comfortable environment for players and spectators, housed within a bold, iconic architectural form, demanded a truly integrated approach across all design disciplines. We recognised the need to establish ambitious sustainability targets, including LEED, GSAS and a bespoke kgCO2 per-seat target, which played an important role in guiding the team toward lean design principles and smart material choices. 

To remain viable year-round, stadiums must be adaptable and multifunctional to go beyond matchday use. For Al Janoub Stadium, we developed a comprehensive legacy transformation plan that balances adaptable permanent infrastructure with temporary, demountable elements and modular overlay, designed to be relocated and reused elsewhere. This approach supports a long-term vision for sustainable social infrastructure for Al Wakrah Sports Club. The stadium’s removable upper tier makes space for future education, community, commercial, and healthcare facilities, seamlessly connecting with the wider precinct. The venue itself remains highly flexible, capable of hosting a broad range of sports and other on-pitch events. 

What’s key to delivering complex venues quickly without compromising performance or flexibility?

The demand for delivering faster is a constant, responding to stakeholder expectations, the need to satisfy a rapid return on major investments, and the complex geopolitical factors that influence so many global construction projects. 

For example, Japoma Stadium, a 50,000-seat venue for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, was conceived as a site masterplan in 2017 and delivered just over two years later. We used advanced technology to prototype design options and communicate through high-quality visualisations and immersive experiences, enabling fast, well-informed decision-making. Ultimately, it was our expertise in constructability and innovation — delivering a simple, functional, and adaptable stadium using modular, repeatable components —alongside a close partnership with the main contractor, Yenigun, that made this achievement possible.

Establishing clear routes to stakeholder engagement, understanding the local regulatory framework, and proactively managing project risks and opportunities allowed us to remain agile during the design stage and derisk the procurement and construction. It is this experience that I aim to bring to every project, grounded in lasting partnerships between architects, engineers, operator and clients, which are essential to delivering a successful venue.

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Katerina has 20 years of experience in large-scale architectural and engineering projects worldwide. She specializes in terminal design, project coordination, and sustainable building solutions. Her expertise spans airports, mixed-use developments, hotels, offices and industrial facilities. She has led designs for major aviation projects, ensuring efficiency, passenger experience and sustainability. Katerina’s multidisciplinary background allows her to integrate architectural innovation with engineering excellence in complex infrastructure developments.

Tell us a bit about yourself – your role and career journey.

I’m an architect with 20 years of experience in architectural design. Originally from Greece, I began my career working in small architectural studios there before moving to Madrid, where my professional journey truly took shape.

Before joining ArchTam, I worked in the hospitality and industrial sectors, but my passion for aviation design began when I joined the company 10 years ago. Since then, I’ve focused on airport projects worldwide, serving as a lead architect and design manager. What I love most about aviation design is that it’s an ongoing learning experience — every project is unique, requiring new and innovative solutions.

I lead the design of terminal buildings, ancillary airport structures such as control towers and support facilities and coordinate various aspects of airport planning and design. I also take on the role of terminal planner for several projects, ensuring seamless integration between architectural design and operational functionality.

Can you share an example of one of your favorite aviation terminal design projects.  What was special about it and why? 

One of my favorite aviation projects is Terminal 4 at Kuwait International Airport, where I served as Design Manager, working closely with the client (the contractor) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Kuwait (DGCA). This was my second aviation project, building on my experience from Rome Fiumicino Airport. It was especially rewarding to apply my knowledge while also mentoring others, just as my colleagues once guided me.

What made this project remarkable was its fast-tracked delivery — completed in just 15 months — through close collaboration with our client. Our team prioritized efficient solutions aligned with production and procurement schedules, always anticipating site needs to ensure versatility and long-term effectiveness. Despite the rapid pace, we maintained high design quality, creating welcoming interiors and striking exteriors inspired by local patterns and symbols.

How do you combine sustainability and digital in your designs to elevate the passenger experience?

Sustainability and digital innovation go hand in hand in our aviation architecture designs. We collaborate closely with MEP and sustainability teams to integrate smart technologies like intelligent lighting and climate control systems, reducing the carbon footprint while creating comfortable environments that adapt to passenger needs. We also prioritize the use of eco-friendly materials, balancing environmental responsibility with aesthetics that enhance the terminal experience. High-quality insulation plays a crucial role in reducing energy consumption, maintaining stable indoor temperatures, and improving overall comfort.

We also leverage Building Information Modeling (BIM) to create digital twins of our terminal designs. This allows for early-stage simulations, optimizing passenger flow, operational efficiency and spatial functionality. These models continue to be valuable throughout the construction and operational phases, assisting contractors and supporting our clients with long-term facility management.

What are some of the trends in terminal design that you’re excited to explore or implement in your work?

One of the most important trends we factor into our terminal designs is flexibility. By creating adaptable environments, we support operators and contractors to optimize space and reduce costs. For example, we analyze peak times for international and domestic passengers and design shared-use spaces that can shift functions as needed. This is particularly valuable for seasonal airports, where certain areas can serve aviation needs during peak periods and be repurposed for landside functions — such as cultural or retail spaces — during off-peak times. This ensures terminals remain active and efficient year-round.

Energy efficiency is another key focus of our designs. By implementing smart climate control systems, we can deactivate HVAC systems in underutilized spaces, significantly reducing energy consumption without compromising passenger comfort.

Integration of touchless technologies throughout the terminal, from check-in and security to boarding is also now really important. The demand for contactless solutions grew significantly over the past few years, not only to enhance the passenger experience but also to address health and safety concerns while creating a seamless travel experience. These innovations not only enhance safety but also contribute to a more modern and efficient airport environment.

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The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has elevated Suzanne, who leads our Buildings + Places Education Practice in the U.S. East and Latin America, to its prestigious College of Fellows. This distinction is the AIA’s highest membership honor, recognizing architects who have made significant contributions to the field and achieving a standard of excellence in their profession.

We invited Suzanne to tell us more about her career, the lessons she’s learned along the way and what she sees for the future of the industry.

What does it mean to you to receive this distinction from the AIA?

Receiving Fellowship in the AIA is a profound honor that represents not just personal achievement, but also recognition of the collective impact of my work on the profession, educational institutions and the broader community. I have committed to advancing architectural practice in higher education throughout my career, from fostering innovative design solutions that enhance learning environments to mentoring emerging leaders in the field. This distinction affirms the value of that work and reinforces my responsibility to continue shaping the profession by sharing knowledge, elevating design excellence, and championing sustainability and inclusivity in academic architecture​.

Over the course of your career, what has been your most memorable moment as an architect, or what moment has shaped your approach/philosophy?

One of the most defining moments in my career was leading the McLeod Tyler Wellness Center project at the College of William & Mary. This project challenged me to rethink how architecture can holistically support student well-being, blending clinical, counseling and wellness spaces into a seamless, welcoming environment. By integrating evidence-based design strategies — such as biophilic elements, natural light and adaptable spaces — we created a facility that actively reduces the stigma of seeking support while fostering a sense of belonging and resilience. Seeing students embrace this facility and knowing it has a measurable impact on their mental and physical well-being reinforced my belief that architecture is not just about buildings — it is about shaping experiences that empower individuals and communities to thrive​.

How do you define successful architecture in the context of educational facilities? Is that definition changing as we look toward future trends?

Successful architecture in educational settings is about more than just function — it must foster a sense of belonging, inspire intellectual curiosity and enhance student outcomes. A well-designed academic environment seamlessly integrates flexibility, sustainability and technology while supporting diverse pedagogical approaches. The definition of success is evolving as campuses adapt to shifting learning models, emerging technologies and the growing emphasis on well-being. Today, the best educational facilities prioritize adaptability, interdisciplinary collaboration and inclusivity, ensuring that spaces not only serve immediate needs but also remain relevant for future generations. My work at institutions like James Madison University, Prince George’s Community College and The College of New Jersey exemplifies this forward-thinking approach, where strategic planning and evidence-based design create transformative environments that support both students and educators​.

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What inspired you to join the industry and what has kept you passionate over the past 15 years?

I originally intended to study interior design. However, after starting a degree in Landscape Architecture, I felt more inspired by the idea of creating outdoor spaces that connect people to the natural environment. I have always loved being immersed in nature and it was thrilling to discover a career that allowed me to shape the built environment while integrating the natural one.

What has been your favorite project that you’ve worked on and why?

Between 2016 and 2022, we delivered Bokarina Beach, a 400-lot coastal village community in Queensland, for Stockland Residential, an Australian property development firm. The project was incredibly engaging, offering a diverse array of landscape design opportunities from multimillion-dollar parklands and a bespoke playscape to dune-crossing beach access, natural wetland reconstruction, boardwalks, and the extension of an existing lake.

What excites me most about this project is that we realised all the key design drivers developed with the client during the initial concept planning. Our vision was to create a community that could become the Sunshine Coasts ‘best kept secret’, a connected coastal village, inspired by and embedded in nature with water at the heart and an energetic and vibrant coastal village vibe. Throughout the design, budget planning, approval, and construction phases, we navigated various challenges to realising our vision. One notable example occurred when planning for the development’s stormwater. We worked with the client and engineers to realise the value of literally creating ‘water at the heart’ by transforming a stormwater detention basin into an opportunity to extend an existing manmade lake into the heart of the openspace precinct. The result is a scenic central lake for end of line stormwater management and a jewel in the openspace network with direct water access for the community.  The result is a vibrant village hub with a relaxed coastal aesthetic, seamlessly embedded in nature with water at its heart

How do you approach a new project from a design perspective, especially when working with a diverse set of clients and project types?

My approach varies depending on the scale, location and specific needs of the client. Typically, I take cues from the natural environment — whether it’s existing or pre-clearing vegetation communities, proximity to natural or cultural features like water bodies, or endemic fauna. I am passionate about referencing the natural character of a place — its context or history — through structural forms, geometry, colour and material palettes, and plant species. Understanding how a place connects to its context is central to my design process.  At Bokarina, a beachside location, we concentrated on coastal cues utilising endemic and local dunal plant species, curvilinear forms reminiscent of patterns left in the sand by the tide, and a hardscape palette dominated by soft neutral tones of shells and driftwood, and the natural warmth of timber. These elements drew the beach aesthetic into the development situating it seamlessly in its context.

What trends or advancements in landscape architecture design are you most excited about? How do you see these influencing future projects?

I’m fascinated by initiatives in countries like Denmark, such as ‘Wild on Purpose,’ which focus on fostering biodiversity and promoting pollination and habitat creation within urban environments. In Australia, we’re beginning to see similar strategies emerging, such as ‘Biodiversity in Place,’ though activation is slower here. For future projects, I would love to see a shift away from manicured monocultures, hybrids, and turf toward diverse, endemic plant palettes, especially in non-traditional applications like street verges. These areas make up more than a third of all greenspaces in our cities.

Increasing the net area of diverse, natural landscapes is essential to improving the resilience of our built environments. Of course, implementation comes with its own set of challenges — from local authority preferences to the commercial availability of plant species. However, as demand for sustainable solutions increases, best practices will drive industry change. There are many principles that can be applied at any scale to advance this goal. It’s not so much about recreating nature, it’s being inspired by it, implementing highly diverse understory planting with endemic species, adopting management practices to benefit wildlife such as reducing pesticides and mowing,  and realising the value of small spaces such as verge gardens, green roofs, and vertical gardens in creating a network across urban environments that connects to wider ecological systems.

What advice would you give to the next generation of landscape architects looking to build a strong reputation and create lasting impacts through their work?

Follow ideas and principles that inspire you, surround yourself with creative people you can learn from and share your ideas with. Layer what you learn into your work and always remain open to creative debate.

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