Q&A WITH JNS PRINCIPAL LIZ MCDONALD

The following is a highlight of a Mile High CRE article, featuring a Q&A with JNS Principal Liz McDonald.  

Liz McDonald, principal at JOHNSON NATHAN STROHE, is a dynamic leader known for designing and delivering spaces that achieve the perfect balance of creativity and practicality. As the firm’s youngest principal, she oversees the firm’s multifamily division, leading projects that are at the forefront of housing trends.

1.  What sparked your interest in architecture?

My uncle was an architect and he first introduced me to the field of architecture at a young age. I was fascinated by this profession which was a beautiful blend of mathematics and art. By the time I was eight years old, I was convinced I had found my calling. Growing up in the Chicagoland area, I was greatly influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright’s residential architecture. Designing a home is a deeply personal task – there are so many considerations and every person/family is different.

2.  What is unique about your approach to architecture?

Listening to the client and understanding who we are designing for is one of the keys to a successful project. Architects often get a bad rap for not listening and having egos. I want to break that stereotype and prove to our clients that we do listen. In addition to understanding who we are designing for, we also need to understand the building’s location. Understanding the site as well as the surrounding neighborhood and community is critical to designing a project that fits seamlessly into its context.

Read more at Mile High CRE.