Meet Our YDC Co-Chairs

The Young Designers Core was founded in 2000 by young designers who saw potential to enhance the professional development of emerging professionals in the firm. As a grassroots initiative, the YDC has maintained a great level of autonomy and innovation, even as the architectural and economic climate has changed around it. The most successful facet of the YDC model has been its adaptability; over the past 17 years the program has been able to transform and change to cater to the current needs of the firm. The underlying mission of the group has always stayed the same; to elevate young designers, but the methods have not. From year to year, the YDC’s focus may shift from education, to mentorship, to career advancement, or even to community and culture building. The events and opportunities that the YDC offers changes to align with this focus every year.

The YDC is led by two people, co-chairs, with alternating two-year term periods to ensure an easy transition between leadership that we feel helps keep our group thriving. Today, we wanted to introduce and learn a little more about our current co-chairs – Megan Brown and Justin Miller.

What drew you to become an YDC co-chair?
The opportunity really just fell in my lap. I was approached by the previous co-chair, and asked if I was interested in being the new co-chair. I happily accepted the position because I’ve always liked to have my hands in a little bit of everything, especially those activities outside of the usual day to day work-based tasks. I think it’s incredibly important to have a strong studio culture, which should encourage a good work/life balance. I also felt that I could be a good champion for PAYETTE healthcare design within the YDC, and alongside Steven, we could help keep a strong link between the Healthcare side of the office and the Science + Education side of the office.

What is one of your favorite YDC event?
‘Life Before PAYETTE’ – I feel this is the strongest event that encourages PAYETTE staff to feel more like a family rather than just co-workers. We ask the young designers in the office to put together a brief presentation about their life before they joined the PAYETTE Team. Presenters tell the audience where they’re from/grew up, where they went to school, if they have any hobbies outside of work, other places they’ve worked, etc. It’s a very personal presentation that always opens the audiences’ eyes to the talent we have here at PAYETTE. We’ve had some presenters not even do a typical slide show – but instead chose to display their passions by playing a musical instrument or singing a song. We’re planning on developing a similar event that is geared more towards the senior staff, who can present what they’ve done over the years since they’ve joined the PAYETTE team.

If you could eat lunch with one architect, living or deceased, who would it be?
Craig Dykers (founding partner of Snohetta) – he gave an amazing talk at the architecture school I attended. I also pulled a funny quote from that presentation that I’ve pretty much adopted as one of my own architectural mantras. I’ll even buy the first lunch if he’s interested!

The sky is the limit: what would you redesign?
The MBTA Subway System (the T) – pretty much everything about it.

What do you do in your free time?
Binge Anime or Harry Potter, and listen to any song by Bastille. I also like developing fun design ideas that I like to keep in my back pocket for rainy days.

What drew you to become an YDC co-chair?
PAYETTE’s Young Designers Core was a big draw when I relocated to Boston and was interviewing at architecture firms. The emphasis on growth and development for young professionals is essential to a healthy practice and I’m so excited to keep this tradition moving forward!

What is one of your favorite YDC events?
My favorite event is the YDC vs. ODC softball tournament in the summer. It’s a great mix of friendly competition, fresh air and exercise, and good food and drink. Looking forward to the next one!

If you could eat lunch with one architect, living or deceased, who would it be?
There are several that come to mind, but picking just one, it would have been fun to meet Zaha Hadid.

The sky is the limit: what would you redesign?
I would love to redesign wireless, Bluetooth headphones for running. I want something more customizable, minimal and that actually stay in place without the need for material wrapping up over the ear. Possibly worn to look like small earrings. I think technology will get there eventually.

What do you do in your free time?
Now that summer is nearly here, I like to spend the majority of my free time outside biking, running, hiking or playing sports.