Tackling diversity and creating playful company culture with PKA Architecture 

PKA Architecture, a Minneapolis-based firm founded in 2009, is challenging industry norms through its approach to diversity and cultivating collaborative design processes in their ever-expanding firm. Their innovative methods extend from their hiring practices to their design philosophy, setting them apart in the competitive world of residential architecture. Click play on the video below to watch our discussion with PKA Architecture’s Managing Principal Kristine Anderson and Associate Principal Andrew Edwins:

Tackling the diversity gap in residential architecture

Kristine Anderson and Andrew Edwins have cultivated a team that reflects the changing demographics in architectural education. With over 50% women on staff, PKA stands out in an industry that has historically struggled with gender diversity.

This shift mirrors the transformation Anderson has witnessed since her own graduate studies, where women were a clear minority in architectural programs. Today, PKA benefits from a larger pool of diverse applicants, allowing them to build a team with varied perspectives and experiences.

The firm’s commitment to diversity extends beyond gender. PKA actively seeks out team members from different cultural backgrounds and with diverse interests, recognizing that this variety enriches their collective design approach and enhances their ability to serve a wide range of clients.

Company culture: How to achieve true collaborative design processes

PKA’s approach to collaboration begins with a comprehensive programming guide for each project. This document serves as a foundation for understanding client needs, desires, and sustainability goals. The firm uses this tool to gauge clients’ priorities and to educate them on various options and their implications.

For instance, when discussing sustainability features, PKA presents options like green roofs or energy-efficient systems along with their costs and benefits. This allows clients to make informed decisions that align with their values and budget. They strive to meet their client where they are at and then try to nudge the client a little bit towards the more sustainable option.

PKA fosters internal collaboration through unique team-building activities. The firm organizes biennial international trips for all employees and their significant others, having visited destinations like Cabo, Costa Rica, and Tulum. These trips allow team members to bond outside of work, enhancing their ability to collaborate effectively on projects.

How the team uses their own homes as laboratories for design and study of materials

PKA principals regularly use their own homes as testing grounds for innovative materials and design concepts. This hands-on approach allows them to speak authoritatively about products and techniques when recommending them to clients.

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Anderson’s cabin on Minnesota’s North Shore serves as a prime example. Initially constructed using structural insulated panels (SIPs), the cabin has undergone several iterations. Most recently, Anderson experimented with thermally modified pine, a product she had been eager to test. After using it for window trim and a decorative screen, she monitored its performance over several years, gaining valuable insights she could then share with clients.

Similarly, Anderson’s home addition features a flat roof, which she uses as a case study to alleviate client concerns about this design choice in Minnesota’s snowy climate. By showcasing photos of her own flat roof supporting three feet of snow without issue, she can confidently recommend this option to clients when appropriate.

These personal experiments have led to the implementation of innovative materials in client projects. For example, after successful testing, PKA has incorporated products like channel glass and Danish brick tile siding into recent designs, pushing the boundaries of residential architecture in their region.

As PKA looks to the future, they remain committed to listening closely to clients, pushing boundaries in sustainable design, and continuing to diversify their team and project portfolio. Their approach to tackling the diversity gap, fostering true collaboration, and using personal spaces as design laboratories has positioned them as leaders in residential architecture, consistently delivering homes that exceed client expectations and contribute positively to the built environment. | To learn more about PKA, visit them online

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