Erin Peavey Named Building Design & Construction 40 Under 40
“STORYTELLING DESIGNER”
https://www.bdcnetwork.com/meet-40-under-40-class-2020
ERIN PEAVEY, AIA, NCARB, EDAC, LEED AP BD+C
VICE PRESIDENT, ARCHITECT AND DESIGN RESEARCHER
HKS, INC.
AGE: 35
EDUCATION
MArch., Texas A&M University
BS-Environmental Design, Texas A&M University
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
A “career highlight” was being interviewed by the local National Public Radio (NPR) station about her work.
Organized HKS’s teams and materials for a $300 million surgical tower for Texas Health Resources in Fort Worth.
Industry Scholar at Cornell University’s Institute for Healthy Futures.
Visiting Scholar at the Center for Advanced Research Design & Evaluation, 2016.
Accepted as South by Southwest (SXSW) speaker, 2020.
Published in The Architects Handbook of Professional Practice.
Founded and Chaired AIA Austin’s Architecture for Health Committee.
EXTRACURRICULARS
Taught at The Pratt Institute, and New York School of Interior Design, regular guest lecturer at many universities.
Podcast Host, Shared Space. Focusing on how design can foster happier, healthier more connected lives.
AIA Task Force on COVID-19 Health (2020).
Served on advisory boards and program committees at intersection of health, design, and research. EDRA CORE, Center for Active Design, CHD Safety Risk Assessment.
Widely published and in-demand speaker. Her writing has touched on how design can support health, healing, and fight loneliness.
Served as the Research Chair of the Academy of Architecture for Health for six years, responsible for awarding more than $300,000 in research funds.
OFF THE CLOCK
Improv comic.
Loves to be in nature, gardening, or hiking with her family.
SECRET LIFE
Learned to swim before she could walk.
Life-long NPR junkie. Remembers listening as a kid and is passing on the tradition.
WHAT IS THE BEST CAREER OR BUSINESS ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?
"Dr. Mardelle Shepley was the first woman I met that had degrees in both architecture and psychology – my dual majors at the time – and she marched to the beat of her own drum. She stressed to me then, and continues to show me now, the importance of being true to myself rather than trying to fit a mold, and is living proof it is possible to do what you love and make the world a better place at the same time."
HOW HAVE YOU BEEN STAYING SANE IN 2020?
"We spend a lot of time outside social distance chatting with neighbors and friends and going on lots of walks. I started a small outdoor book club discussion series that was super fun during warmer months."
WHAT HAS 2020 TAUGHT YOU ABOUT YOURSELF?
"This year has taught me firsthand the importance of creating safe spaces for meaningful connection, both digital and physical. It brought home why we all need each other and showed the power we each have to be community builders."