Celebrating Accomplishments: Melanie Silver

Melanie Silver recently passed her ARE exams, and can now begin the process of becoming a licensed architect. Today we celebrate her accomplishments.

Melanie joined PAYETTE’s Building Science team in October 2017. She is currently working with numerous design teams to meet rigorous sustainability targets as well as implementing a new healthy material policy throughout the office. Prior to joining PAYETTE, Melanie was the Sustainability Coordinator at FXCollaborative. She managed over 10 LEED projects, lead environmental analysis and assisted in updating green specifications. Melanie earned her Master of Architecture and Ecological Design Certificate from the University of Pennsylvania, and her Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Columbia University.

What inspires you?
More than being inspired, I hope to inspire others to protect and preserve our earth and resources. I want to make architecture more accessible for people and be mindful of our impact on the earth and community at large.

What is the best part of your job?
Working on everything with everyone! I love getting to know everyone in the office and always working on new projects. I love that one day I can be working on a masterplan scheme in early concept and then the next day be looking at wall details for a project in CDs.

What is the most important thing you’ve learned so far?
To always say “yes”. When someone asks if you are up or ready for something, take the opportunity. I have learned the most by trying new things even if I am uncomfortable with them at first.

The sky is the limit: if you could design or redesign anything, what would it be?
I have a pet red-eared slider turtle, who is going to live another 50 years, my dream is to design him a luxury lagoon habitat.