Houston-based WHR Architects has named Lia Rodi, AIA, LEED AP, as the new curator of the firm’s Tradewell Fellowship Program, now in its 15th year. A past Tradewell Fellow, Rodi’s first official duty was the announcement of the 2012 Fellow Akshay Sangolli.
“It’s an honor to assume responsibility for the Tradewell program,” said Rodi. “Fourteen years ago, my own year as a Tradewell Fellow under the guidance of Kirk Hamilton was the ideal preparation for my new role. My experience and work with other Tradewells over the years has provided a model that will help to be of the best possible service to the Fellowship as a leader and mentor.”
Although internships are a tradition in the architectural profession, there are still few fellowships that offer recent graduates a focused opportunity to gain experience working closely with senior firm leaders and significant interaction with clients. This year’s Fellow, Akshay Sangolli, pursued the Tradewell in recognition of its exceptional nature. “It is a unique opportunity that puts you at an entirely different level at the outset of your career,” said Sangolli. “The Tradewell Fellowship offers [a] perfect combination of professional guidance, academic realization, and hands-on learning.”
The year-long Tradewell Fellowship was established by David Watkins, FAIA, president and chairman of WHR Architects, along with Kirk Hamilton, FAIA, FACHA, EDAC, now a professor at Texas A&M University and associate director for the Center for Health Systems and Design, in honor of the late Gary Tradewell, a former vice president and medical planner at WHR. The fellowship focuses on building careers of aspiring healthcare architects. Each year the Tradewell Fellow is involved with clients in early master planning and design, with a particular focus on healing environments and collaborative design methods as part of their employment at WHR. In addition to working directly with senior medical planners on design projects, Fellows receive career guidance from leaders at WHR and a network of past Tradewell Fellows.
In addition to project assignments, the Fellow also receives a scholarship to attend a healthcare architecture conference, and the opportunity to attend in-house educational presentations. Other educational opportunities include: assisting with teaching a graduate-level course on health facility planning, design, and construction; participating in evidence-based design activities; and assisting members of the firm in authoring speeches, articles, or books.
Fellows are selected by the group of past Tradewells at WHR, based on the strength of their design portfolios, letters of recommendation, and essays describing their accomplishments and career goals.
Sangolli, who began his fellowship in June, summarized his goals: “In the long term, I want explore how architecture can enhance human health, healing and well-being. I hope to participate in improving the quality of the built environment and its implications on human life around the world, especially in much-neglected developing nations.”
Related Stories
Giants 400 | Sep 9, 2019
Top 70 Industrial Sector Architecture Firms for 2019
AECOM, Stantec, Ware Malcomb, FSB, and Macgregor Associates top the rankings of the nation's largest industrial sector architecture and architecture engineering (AE) firms, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Sep 9, 2019
2019 Industrial Sector Giants Report: Managing last mile delivery
This and more industrial building sector trends from Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report.
Codes and Standards | Sep 9, 2019
Free app calculates maximum allowable heights and areas for buildings
A free app that calculates the maximum allowable heights and areas for buildings of various occupancy classifications and types of construction has been released.
Retail Centers | Sep 6, 2019
Another well-known retailer files for bankruptcy: Here's the solution to more empty anchor stores
Where can you find the future of retail? At the intersection of experience and instant gratification.
Giants 400 | Sep 5, 2019
Top 110 Hotel Sector Architecture Firms for 2019
Gensler, WATG, HKS, HBG Design, and Steelman Partners top the rankings of the nation's largest hotel sector architecture and architecture engineering (AE) firms, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report.
Architects | Sep 5, 2019
AIA launches landmark initiative to drive climate action
AIA Board of Directors approves member-led resolution to rally architects in mitigating and adapting the built environment.
Giants 400 | Sep 3, 2019
Top 140 K-12 School Sector Architecture Firms for 2019
DLR Group, PBK, Huckabee, Stantec, and VLK Architects top the rankings of the nation's largest K-12 school sector architecture and architecture engineering (AE) firms, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report.
Market Data | Sep 3, 2019
Nonresidential construction spending slips in July 2019, but still surpasses $776 billion
Construction spending declined 0.3% in July, totaling $776 billion on a seasonally adjusted annualized basis.
Giants 400 | Aug 30, 2019
2019 K-12 School Giants Report: 360-degree learning among top school design trends for 2019
K-12 school districts are emphasizing practical, hands-on experience and personalized learning.
Giants 400 | Aug 28, 2019
Top 35 Data Center Architecture Firms for 2019
Corgan, HDR, Gensler, AECOM, and Page top the rankings of the nation's largest data center sector architecture and architecture engineering (AE) firms, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report.