Victoria Baran

I attribute my success to resourcefulness. I really will keep showing up and will make things happen and find a way to do it. Unlike other people that will say, oh, I don't know how to do that, or they were closed, or this or that, I focus on finding options. I tell my students and clients that what I do is about providing options. I believe in presenting clear choices, like A or B, and letting people make the final decision because it's their project. My ability to be resourceful enough to know how to present something and to get it through and built is key. Being flexible and keeping the goal in the front of the equation is essential. We want to all get this built, get this project built to the highest quality, highest standards, safest standards. We're all in this together. I believe in teamwork very much.

The best advice I've ever received is that no one can take away the experience that I have. I was told to refer to that experience and not feel ever doubtful about anything, to remind myself of the accomplishments that I have achieved already. When a path may stray or I'm feeling doubtful, I go back to those accomplishments and experiences.

Show up and be resourceful. Do not give up. Architecture's a long game. There's a lot to learn and a lot to contribute. Definitely understand one's audience and speak up. Definitely speak up, but not speak out. Know when to voice your opinion, but give your voice and stand by it and be confident about that. Know what value you bring to the table and capitalize on that. When you go to an interview, they're going to ask what value are you bringing to this firm. As my cousin said to people she was teaching, why should people pay you money? It's a very transactional part of our lives, and you need to understand that.

I think that people are not valuing architects. The biggest challenge is the number of social media and people thinking that they can do what I do without the qualifications that I have. They see wonderful shelter magazines and influencers and how people live, and it's such a snapshot of one's life. I had a client who was an actor and was used to stage sets, asking why does it take so long. It's like, because it's built to last. You walk off those steps and it starts falling down on a stage set. People do not value the quality and patience. I take my work very seriously. It's a challenge for me specifically, maybe partially as a woman, explaining to people what is different between me and maybe a decorator. There have been articles about female architects saying I'm not the decorator. I'm a licensed professional. It's challenging because people trust their decorators, and that's fine, but as someone said to me, no one sues you when the curtains fall down. Architecture is largely about relationships. Someone can give a great presentation, but how does it get from that to a building, a house, a project built, a shelter, a structure that's habitable, a park, anything? People say a wedding is not a marriage. Well, an architectural presentation is not a building.

My family and my friends, people around me are most important to me. I value people who work together and cultivate communities. I value where we live, I value this country very much, actually. I value kindness, I value intelligence, and I value tenacity, believe it or not. That doesn't always go with everything else I'm saying, but you can't blame people who are constantly at it and successful and they're doing what they do and keep it rolling. I do value people being resourceful. I use that term over and over. When I spoke at my high school for a STEM presentation years after I graduated, these students were talking about their passions, and I tried to say it nicely to all of them that passions change through life. You really need to be resourceful as an adult. You're in control when you're resourceful. Passions are relying on many other factors and variables. Know what value you bring to the table and capitalize on that.