Meet Emma, Architectural Designer at Iconica

Emma has known she wanted to pursue architecture since middle school. Drawn to both math and art, she quickly realized architecture was the perfect blend of creativity and logic—and a profession that shapes how people experience the world around them.

“I was always drawn to both math and art, and discovering a field that combined the two immediately resonated with me,” Emma shares. “Looking back, many of my favorite memories are closely tied to the spaces and environments I experienced, which helped me realize how deeply architecture influences the way we feel and live.”

Drawn to Design-Build

Emma’s interest in design-build began during a college summer internship, where she experienced firsthand how collaboration strengthens the design process.

“I fell in love with the collaborative nature of the design-build approach,” she says. “Being able to work closely with multiple disciplines throughout a project showed me how much stronger and more efficient the design process can be when everyone is involved from the start.”

Iconica’s fully integrated team made the firm a natural fit.

“When I learned that Iconica has architecture, engineering, preconstruction, and construction all in-house, I knew it would be an ideal environment to learn about every phase of a project and grow as an emerging designer.”

Designing with a Holistic Mindset

Working in a design-build environment has reshaped how Emma approaches both design and problem-solving.

“It’s changed the way I think by encouraging me to look at design more holistically,” Emma explains. “I’m always considering how design decisions impact other disciplines and the eventual construction of a project.”

Having direct access to teammates across disciplines fuels creativity and leads to stronger solutions.

“Collaborative discussions with people who have different areas of expertise lead to more thoughtful, well-informed outcomes.”

Project Spotlight

One of Emma’s favorite projects so far has been the Edgewood University OT–Nursing Remodel.

“It stood out because of its unique program and the challenge of fitting a wide range of elements into an existing building,” she says. “During the early design stages, it felt like a big puzzle—organizing spaces so they functioned effectively and met the client’s needs.”

That balance of challenge and collaboration made the experience especially rewarding.

Learning Through Collaboration

Mentorship and teamwork have been central to Emma’s growth at Iconica.

“Working alongside engineers, project managers, and field staff every day has helped me understand how a project really comes together—from early sketches all the way through construction,” she shares.

Learning from different perspectives has accelerated her development and grounded her design approach.

“It’s given me a much clearer picture of how design works in the real world.”

Outside the Office

When she’s not designing, Emma enjoys staying active and getting outdoors.

“I love playing soccer and hiking whenever I can,” she says. “I also enjoy following football, hockey, and soccer, along with reading, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family.”