#HumphreysHeroes is our new Q&A series where we get to know one of our world-class Humphreys & Partners team members with a quick interview. For our very first post we’re sitting down with Alexandra Rourk, Junior Designer at HPA headquarters in Dallas, Texas. Currently, Alexandra works on many of HPA’s most forward-thinking projects and has previously lent her exceptional design talent to numerous HPA-designed multifamily communities around the world.
Let’s get to know Alexandra and see what makes her a true icon of #HumphreysHeroes culture:
- Where is your hometown?
Matagalpa, Nicaragua. It’s a wonderful city with great people — and the food is amazing! I love going back home because of my family, but also for all the delicious food.
- What is your Alma Mater?
I studied architecture at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Savannah, Georgia, and had the time of my life. The college is filled with very smart creative types and it prepared me very well for my career in architecture.
- If you were not doing architecture, what career would you pursue?
Psychology! People fascinate me. And if you think about it, architecture is about creating an emotion in people when they interact with a structure, so the two fields are interlinked in that they deal with human emotion.
- Are you currently engaged in a particular design project that you are excited about?
All of them actually. HPA is great about allowing designers to work collaboratively with each other. I work a bit on this project that’s being developed in the USA and then switch to one being constructed for Vietnam. They’re all so cool.
- Any books you are currently reading?
My favorite book at the moment is, “The Happiness Advantage” by Shawn Achor. I typically read a mix of psychology, culture and leadership-focused literature. Reading is relaxing for me and if I can pick up team-building strategies and leadership skills too then it’s even better.
- Which architects inspire your work?
Louis Kahn’s play on light and dark has been a major influence on my personal and professional tastes. Recently, I went to California on vacation and was lucky enough to see the Salk Institute designed by him in San Diego, it was breathtaking.
I also adore Charles and Ray Eames, Santiago Calatrava and Tadao Ando.