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 | Aug 4, 2015
GIANTS 300 REPORT: Top 106 Architecture Firms
Gensler, Perkins+Will, and Kohn Pedersen Fox top Building Design+Construction's 2015 ranking of the largest architecture firms in the United States.
Giants 400 | Aug 4, 2015
ARCHITECTURE GIANTS: 21 practice management innovations from architecture Giants
Design firms have gone all out with management innovations in the last year. Check out which ones might work for your firm.
Architects | Aug 4, 2015
Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture closer to independent incorporation
The school is halfway to its first fundraising milestone, but is facing a major deadline at end of this month.
Industrial Facilities | Aug 3, 2015
Architect Jacques Rougerie envisions floating city to function as roving laboratory
The manta ray-shaped vessel will be completely self-sustaining, run on marine energy, and produce no waste.
Cultural Facilities | Aug 3, 2015
Funding needed for Washington's Desert Storm memorial
The National Desert Storm Memorial Foundation has a $25 million goal for the project.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Jul 31, 2015
Zaha Hadid responds to Tokyo Olympic Stadium controversy
“Our warning was not heeded that selecting contractors too early in a heated construction market and without sufficient competition would lead to an overly high estimate of the cost of construction,” said Zaha Hadid in a statement.
Architects | Jul 30, 2015
The Lego Architect: Book offers simple how-to steps for recreating iconic buildings with Legos
The book features famous buildings accompanied with a photograph and drawing of the Lego model of the building, and a list of all the Lego pieces needed to complete a model of the building.
Transit Facilities | Jul 30, 2015
Snøhetta designs ring-shaped cable car station in Italian Alps
In Snøhetta’s design, two cylindrical rings embedded into the existing topography, each at different elevations, will be connected by a cable car. During the minute-long cable car journey, passengers can enjoy views of the city and of the Italian Alps.
Office Buildings | Jul 29, 2015
Design plans for Fannie Mae’s new HQ revealed
The developer/owner, Carr Properties, envisions a 1-million-sf plus mixed-use center with a large retail pavilion.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Jul 29, 2015
Milwaukee Bucks arena deal approved by Wisconsin state assembly
Created by Milwaukee firm Eppstein Uhen Architects and global firm Populous, the venue will be built in downtown Milwaukee. Its design draws inspiration from both Lake Michigan, which borders Milwaukee, and from aspects of basketball, like high-arcing free throws.