Celebrating Architects: Elizabeth Cox

We are pleased to announce Elizabeth Cox has been selected as the 2015-2016 Regional Young Architect’s Regional Director (YARD) for New England. The Young Architects Forum (YAF) is a program of The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and is organized to address issues of particular importance to recently licensed Architects (within 10 years or less after licensure).

Young Architect Regional Directors (YARDs) work with their counterparts, the College of Fellows (COF) Regional Representatives and the National Associates Committee (NAC) Regional Associate Directors (RADs). The 19 YARDs are responsible for gathering information about what issues are facing young architects within their geographic areas and disseminating information about national/regional activities and resources for use on the local level. YARDs serve as an important link between the Regions, the YAF, and the Institute.

Additionally, Elizabeth Cox recently joined the firm’s ranks of registered architects. Today we celebrate her accomplishments. Congratulations!

Elizabeth Cox joined PAYETTE in 2013 and is experienced in the design of healthcare facilities and university hospitals. Additionally, Elizabeth formed the Revit Users Group at the BSA and served as the Committee Chair for 2 years. Elizabeth’s commitment to the architecture profession manifests itself in her accessible and inquisitive approach. She has a strong desire to understand how the profession and practice work and share her knowledge with others. Elizabeth graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 2006 with a Bachelor of Art in Architecture.

What inspires you?
I am most inspired by selfless people who take the time to care for those around them. Beauty at all scales (minute to grand) in nature is another source of inspiration.

What is the best part of your job?
There is no question that my favorite part of my job is working collaboratively and creatively with people to find the best design solutions. This applies internally, with my colleagues (architects, graphic designers, and engineers alike), and with our clients. The collective creativity of people never ceases to amaze me. Also, seeing something that you’ve designed together come to life in the form of a building is so satisfying.

What is the most important thing you’ve learned so far?
That everything we do, as architects and designers, is for others and we ought to design that way. As a young person in school design was all about the look – how I wanted things to look – but there is only so much that a self-gratifying design can achieve. Buildings and spaces are much richer when we consider the diverse needs of the people and environment for whom/which they are designed.

What’s been your greatest accomplishment so far?
Professionally, it would definitely be finishing 6 of my AREs within 9 months. It was a difficult 9 months, but I am so glad that I had the support to focus on, and finish the licensing process quickly.