JMA Team Spotlight: Jessica Ishizaka
Architectural Designer and PNW Native Jessica Ishizaka joined JMA in June, but the pandemic didn’t stop her from quickly jumping in on a number of projects in the residential and healthcare sectors.
She brings a fresh perspective having just received her Master’s Degree in Architecture from Washington State University. We decided to ask her a few questions about her background and what good design means to her.
Tell us a little about yourself …
I am originally from Yakima, Washington and went to WSU for my Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Architecture. Graduating and making my first big move during a pandemic was chaotic to say the least, but JMA has made this journey well worth it. When we aren’t in the middle of a global pandemic, I love spending time exploring and enjoying the city and appreciating the different parts of the Pacific Northwest. I’m also very excited to be getting back into sketching and painting again.
What made you want to study architecture?
I wanted to study architecture because I am a creative and detail-oriented person and through different job shadows in high school I quickly found that Architecture is one of those special interdisciplinary trades that required both in order to produce a good design. Especially since we spend over 90% of our time indoors, I wanted to be able to put my skills to good use to help others live their best lives (whether they know it or not).
What do you enjoy most about architecture or working at JMA?
The thing that I enjoy most about working at JMA is the office culture! Everyone has been so friendly and helpful, and even though I have only – physically - met a quarter of the office, almost everyone has reached out to me to chat or let me know they’re available if I ever need any help. Since my first day at JMA I have been working on a variety of different projects that each require their own unique skill set and solutions. It has been such an amazing opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment where your peers and mentors care just as much about your education and growth opportunities as they do about their own.
What have you been working on recently?
Recently, I have been working on a house remodel and a few medical projects in a variety of locations across the U.S. Each have been very different from one another, so it’s been exciting to see how each project has progressed.
In your experience how can good design improve our day to day lives?
“Good” design can have a positive impact on the occupants who use or live in the designed space. As designers, knowing the relationship between humans and the built environment can have a lasting impact on the tenant’s health, mood, overall energy and the way they perform their jobs whether it be in healthcare, education, residential or other fields.
What do you think makes a building successful?
Successful design deals with more than just the building itself. It also responds to the surrounding environment in order to enhance the lives and opportunities of those who interact with the space. Successful spaces that are open, accessible and sustainable should also make an impact on different scales, whether that be to the immediate tenant, a neighbor or the entire community.
What’s it like being a Wazzu Coug in a town full of Huskies?
Being a Coug anywhere in the world is an experience all its own! Even walking down the street here in Seattle, I usually always get a few “Go Cougs” if I’m wearing my gear.
Do you have a personal Mantra?
It might seem cheesy, but something I always try to remember in my day to day is “always be learning”. Especially in a field where information is always changing and updating, we are constantly learning and adding new material to our skill set. Even though there is a lot of new material to absorb the best thing we can do is take every challenge as a learning moment.