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Deborah A. Burkhart AIA, Principal dburkhart@rbjarchitects.com
Interview.
How did you first develop an interest in architecture? Debbie said she "fell into it." Her grandfather was a carpenter and her father built the house she grew up in while she was growing up. She spent many of her formative years on a construction site. However, in high school, she originally yearned to be a veterinarian. When told on career day that she "wasn't good enough" for such a program at Purdue, the Ball State representative encouraged her to look into being an architect. Since this time period was pre-Title IX, her high school counselors did not want to admit her into a drafting course because it was an "inappropriate career for a woman." She did not give up, found a way to take the class and fell in love.
What are the major obstacles you faced as an architecture student in college? Debbie has been able to overcome difficulties, such as lack of female instructors and female peers during her schooling, which is a common issue within architecture. She has been able to ignore and surpass negative sexist comments pertaining to her architectural abilities as a student. Most astoundingly, Debbie had to fight for a fair grade given to her by a teacher who "propositioned" and "cornered" her in a room. Through perseverance and hard work, Debbie was able to achieve success in school and not let a few bad experiences discourage her.
.And as a professional? In her first two jobs, Debbie was the only female architect in the firm. Being in such a situation can oftentimes mistakenly associate that token female with the secretaries in the office. She realizes that pay inequities between genders exist and, at some firms, women will reach the "glass ceiling before (their) male counterparts." Debbie is very happy with her current firm and knows that those obstacles, which she has had to face in her, past, have only made her a stronger person.
If you were not a woman, how do you think your career path in architecture would have been different than what it is today? Debbie does not feel that the path itself which she has taken would have been different had she been a man. She has been fortunate to be able to work in reputable, design oriented firms on building types that she likes to work on.
Is your satisfaction with your current firm attributed to it being woman owned? YES. There is a credibility aspect at Ross Barney that she has not seen at other firms. She likes the attitude that "no matter who you are, you can contribute." Everyone's ideas are taken as "part of the whole."
Have you found any interesting ways to use your gender to your advantage during your career? "I don't think there is an advantage to being a man or a woman in this field. Everyone has their own opportunities and challenges to face in whatever career they choose to follow."
Imagine that at some point, ideally, in the future, that we have many more women architects and that there influence is widely felt throughout the profession. How do you think the profession of architecture and the built environment, as a reflection of the profession might be different than what they are today? Debbie believes they would be much more "equitable, communal, inclusive for all people." Women are more about "reaching consensus and having everyone involved in a process to reach the end solution."
In order to improve the status of women, what kinds of information do you think we need, what issues need to be addressed, what critical research questions could help lead to improvements in the field? She believes this is more of a "bigger societal question," no just having to do with the architecture profession. She thinks that a "major cultural shift" away from the attitude that women are "second class citizens" must occur.
Words of advice KNOW YOURSELF, KNOW YOUR GOALS, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, BELIEVE IN YOUR GOALS, DO THE BEST YOU CAN
Profile Debbie's strength is in organizing and motivating the project team including architects, engineers and clients, through the successful completion of a project. Her architectural experience covers all design phases for a complete range of project types, sizes and complexities. Her business background assists her in issues of project management, team communications and building coordination. She strives to balance the function, cost and appearance of a building through the provision of high quality services to clients. Debbie has toured the US, Europe and the Far East, but always returns home to her dog and cat.
Professional Experience Ross Barney+Jankowski, Inc., 1992-Present Perkins and Will International, 1988-1992 Decker and Kemp Architecture, 1987-1988 Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott, 1986 Woollen Molzan and Partners, 1980-1985
Education Bachelor of Architecture, Ball State University, 1980 Bachelor of Science, Environmental Design, Ball State University, 1980 Master of Architecture, University of Illinois-Champaign, 1987 Master of Business Administration, University of Illinois-Champaign, 1987
License Architect, Illinois 1992, Indiana, 1984 N.C.A.R.B. Certificate 1986
Professional Affiliations American Institute of Architects, Chicago, Member, 1987- Indiana Society of Architects, Board of Directors, 1984-1985 American Institute of Architects, Indianapolis - Board of Directors, 1984-1985 - Design Concepts Lecture Chair, 1983-1985 - Design Awards Banquet Chair, 1983-1984 National Women's Task Force, AIA - East States Regional Director, 1984-1985
Academic Experience University of Illinois Champaign, School of Architecture - Instruction of Building Technology Theories, 1985 - Instruction of Architectural Practice Principles, 1986-1987 - Guest Lecturer, 1987-1994
Honors and Awards Creative and Performing Arts Fellowship, University of Illinois, 1986-1987 Who's Who in the Midwest, 1987 Gargoyle Architectural Honor Society, University of Illinois-Champaign, 1986 Most Valuable Player Award, Indianapolis Chapter AIA, 1984
[Click images to see complete boards] McCormick Place Expansion,
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