As the #1-ranked multifamily architecture firm in North America, Humphreys & Partners relies on our incredible team from around the world to create innovative, one-of-a-kind communities in both Architecture and Interior Design. As the Director of Design, Karen Stillwagon oversees all of the design initiatives for HPA Design Group on the East Coast. Let’s get to know Karen outside (and inside) the office and see what makes her a true icon of #HumphreysHeroes culture:
- What is your alma mater?
Texas A&M University in College Station, TX (Gig‘em Aggies!!) I have a Bachelors in Environmental Design which is a fancy name for their architecture degree.
- Where did you grow up?
My parents moved frequently because my Dad was in the gas and oil business. I have lived in Houston, Midland, Dallas, Mancos, Colorado, Denver, and College Station for college. Dallas has been my home for the past 19 years and I have enjoyed being in one place for an extended amount of time.
- What are your hobbies outside of the office?
I enjoy traveling, watching old movies (anything Alfred Hitchcock), and spending time with my husband and two Huskies (Rigby and Riley). We go on a lot of walks and enjoy being outdoors whenever we can.
- Who inspires you and how do they inspire you?
I am inspired by our team at HPA Design Group every day. All of the designers have a certain style that they gravitate towards and it’s so intriguing to see what other designers come up with and how they interpret a client’s needs. Our office is a treasure trove of materials, I love walking around to see what everyone is working on and what innovative materials they have chosen.
- What’s the most exciting part of your job?
I love space planning and pulling concepts for new projects. It’s rewarding to be creative and implement creative ideas into technical architectural drawings so that designs can come to life in a space.
- When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I went to college not knowing what I wanted to study. My Dad suggested architecture because I was creative and good at math. I took an architecture history course and an architecture studio and loved it. After I graduated, I discovered that interior architecture is my favorite part of architectural design and built a career out of it.
- What is your favorite thing about working at HPA Design Group?
I enjoy mentoring younger designers and watching them learn and grow. It makes all the work fulfilling. We have a great group of designers that make the workplace exciting and fun.
We hope you have enjoyed getting to know Karen, one of our world-class team members here at HPA Design Group! Stay tuned for more #HumphreysHeroes blog posts in the future. In the meantime, engage with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram for all things HPA-related.