THE MODERN MILLENNIAL: PART ONE
The Becoming
During the summer, I came across a LinkedIN post from this one former student that truly touched me. We reached out asking her to share here. At this point, I do NOT want to give away the topic of the post, but suffice it to say — stay tuned for Part Two of this guest essay from Katheryn Mollet, NCARB. Part One – The Becoming focuses on the early part of her career and the influence of a study abroad program to Finland. You will need to wait for the details of Part Two.
I know it’s cliche to say “I have always wanted to be an architect”. But the truth is- I did. From the time I could draw, I was drawing exteriors of Barbie houses and floor plans (see below floor plan when I was only 8 years old, ignoring the “bar” next to the bathroom). I wrote children’s stories where I could illustrate rooms of houses adorned with character. By the time I got to high school, I already knew what I wanted to do with my life. I was going to be an architect.
…I already knew what I wanted to do with my life. I was going to be an architect.
I attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where the challenging curriculum of architecture seemed not to deter me. I received several Earl Prize nominations for projects and the recognition of hard work only fueled my fire. After my undergraduate degree, I attended the renowned ranked program at Washington University in St. Louis.
Here, conceptualization and the theory of architecture widened my technical knowledge from my undergrad experience. But the single most life changing experience to that point occurred during my grad school campaign. I spent six months living in Finland, and traveling an extensive part of Europe, during a study abroad program. There I studied Finnish architecture and while abroad discovered my fascination with the sacred spaces of European life. The constructed space that seemed to deify human life made through the elements of time and space.
When I returned stateside, my final thesis at WashU, entitled Constructing Memory, focused on creating more sacred spaces within the city milieu that remained secular, with no notion of religion. Space for communities. With the praise of the reviewers, I felt ready to take on the corporate world.
After graduating, I found myself committed to the creation of public space, which unbeknownst to me seemed to parallel my final thesis quite well. I landed a position close to my hometown, where the next seven years I would call my workplace home. It was a small firm, at the time only around 30 people. There I poured myself into community projects: recreation and community centers, and a particular niche, libraries. All around the Chicago suburbs I worked on transforming forgotten libraries into community hubs, programmed with more than just housing of books and media. They contained meeting space, teen and youth programs, lounging and technology, all spaces for a growing world of information. When I finally completed my AREs in January of 2021, I was promoted to project architect and continued to manage projects all around the surrounding suburbs.
Pictured top left to bottom right: Arlington Heights Memorial Library, Forest Park Public Library, Charles B Phillips Community Library, Johnston Recreation Center, Wheaton Park District Memorial Park Amphitheatre, Arlington Heights Public Library Makerplace. All rights reserved to Williams Architects, and photography to Kmiecik Imagery.
What I loved most about becoming an architect was the tangibility of it. Finishing a project and then utilizing that same space, felt like an accomplishment that was unmatched.
I think my life experiences leading up to that point, all helped me to realize my dreams. What I loved most about becoming an architect was the tangibility of it. Finishing a project and then utilizing that same space, felt like an accomplishment that was unmatched. Not every architect needs to be a super star. Not every project is magazine worthy or a modern masterpiece. It was not until I put my career on hold in December of 2023 to raise my children I learned the true importance of community space. Each week, I find myself using the services of my town. The library, the recreation center where my daughter attends programs. And every time I walk in there, I think to myself- an architect once poured themself into this space so that others could enjoy it.
That is worth it all.
Katie Mollet