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
Cultural Facilities | Feb 20, 2015
‘Floating’ park on New York’s Hudson River moves one step closer to reality
The developers envision the 2.4-acre space as a major performance arts venue.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 19, 2015
Is multifamily construction getting too frothy for demand?
Contractors are pushing full speed ahead, but CoStar Group thinks a slowdown might be in order this year.
Architects | Feb 19, 2015
Illustrator Federico Babina imagines architecture from nowhere
The illustrator imagines architecture where past, present, and future intertwine.
Codes and Standards | Feb 18, 2015
USGBC concerned about developers using LEED registration in marketing
LEED administrators are concerned about a small group of developers or project owners who tout their projects as “LEED pre-certified” and then fail to follow through with certification.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 18, 2015
Make It Right unveils six designs for affordable housing complex
BNIM is among the six firms involved in the project.
Office Buildings | Feb 18, 2015
Commercial real estate developers optimistic, but concerned about taxes, jobs outlook
The outlook for the commercial real estate industry remains strong despite growing concerns over sluggish job creation and higher taxes, according to a new survey of commercial real estate professionals by NAIOP.
Museums | Feb 18, 2015
Foster + Partners' National Museum of Marine Science and Technology breaks ground in Taiwan
The museum will be home to an aquarium, exhibition space, and waterfront views.
University Buildings | Feb 18, 2015
Preparing for the worst: Campus security since Virginia Tech
Seven years after the mass shootings at Virginia Tech, colleges and universities continue to shake up their emergency communications and response capabilities to shootings and other criminal threats.
Office Buildings | Feb 18, 2015
Why the mobile workplace isn't always mobile
Perkins+Will’s Janice Barnes addresses the nuance in mobility types and explains the importance of defining terms upfront.
University Buildings | Feb 17, 2015
BD+C exclusive: How security is influencing campus design and construction
Campus crime—whether real or perceived—presents Building Teams with more opportunities for early-stage consultation with university clients.