Charette: WiA Austin

AIA AustinWomen in Architecture Austin
Written By She Builds Podcast
 

Tune in to hear our conversation with WiA Austin Chair Alexandra Chaves and Chair-Elect Danielle Smith.

Alexandra Chaves, Assoc. AIA, NOMA, & AIA Austin WiA Chair 2025

Originally from Venezuela, Alexandra began her architectural studies at Universidad Santa Maria in Caracas. She relocated to the US in 2002 to complete her education, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architecture and a Master of Architecture from SCAD. In 2006, Alexandra moved to New York City, where she worked for several boutique architectural firms specializing in custom residential design. She relocated to Austin in 2018 to be closer to family and found the ideal work-life balance at Restructure Studio.

Alexandra has been an active member of AIA Austin since 2018. She founded and chairs the "Profiles" interview video series subcommittee for Women in Architecture (WiA) Austin, which launched in 2021, and was recently appointed Chair for WiA Austin 2025. Her future plans include pursuing licensure in Texas. Notably, Alexandra received the 2023 AIA Austin President's Award for her outstanding documentary filmmaking that promotes Austin architecture. She was also honored with the 2024 Associate Member of the Year AIA Austin Honors Award.

Danielle Smith, AIA Austin WiA Chair-Elect 2025

Danielle is an architect in Austin, TX who is captivated by the impacts of the built environment on the many intricate facets of the human experience. This has been a catalyst for her exploration of multiple project types and scales. She views the design process as a form of storytelling, in which architects play a critical role in narrating and nurturing intent through problem solving. Danielle has over a decade of working with clients to do just this. She is now the Studio Director at Cedar, a technology and architectural services firm that strives to deliver thoughtfully designed housing using technology as a powerful tool for effective land planning and intentional development. 

Danielle is a Midwest native, having grown up in St. Louis and received her Master of Architecture at Kansas State University. She has worked with innovative, award winning architectural firms with projects in higher education, public learning spaces, and residential mixed-use communities. Outside of work, Danielle is the chair elect for AIA Austin Women in Architecture. She is also renovating her home with her partner, which has proven to be the ultimate form of transforming technical architectural knowledge to hands-on understanding, as well as actively practicing perseverance and patience.

Highlights from the episode:

What are ways members of the Austin community can get involved with WiA Austin? 

  1. Being a sponsor in any capacity

  2. Donating to the scholarship

  3. Volunteering

What are all the programs of WiA Austin?

  1. Dinner Series - AIA Austin / Design Austin Donna D Carter WiA/Design Austin Scholarship

  2. Site Tours

  3. Spotlights

  4. Profiles Interview Series

  5. Sponsorship & Scholarship

    1. Leadership Collective

    2. Homes Tours

    3. Licensure

  6. Events & Networking

    1. Happy Hours

    2. Coffee & Coworking

    3. Book Club

What are your WiA 2025 New Year's Resolutions? 

  1. Selective with our collaborations with partner which our committees share the same value and goals

  2. Build a supportive community

Alexandra and Danielle’s Caryatid: All Past WiA Chairs and Trailblazers that founded and continually support WiA

  1. Trailblazers and Supporters of WiA: Wendy Dunam Tita, Heather McKinney, Donna Carter

  2. AIA Austin WiA Chairs: Megan McCoy, Maggie McIntosh, Christy Taylor, Jes Deaver, Nkiru Gelles, Stephanie Lemmo, Carina Coel, Ashton Brooks, Alexandra Chaves & Danielle Smith


Mentioned on the episode

She Builds Charettes is where we have mini-episodes that are different from our more traditional episodes. In these charettes or mini-episodes, we will conduct interviews, hold deep-dive discussions, make announcements, and more! Have an idea for a charette? Be sure to email us at shebuildspodcast@gmail.com

 
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