Audrey Sato, LEED-AP. Image © Salvador Ceja

For architect Audrey Sato, studying architecture may not have seemed like an obvious choice at first, but she eventually realized that her passion for sustainability and a desire to build in parallel with nature made her a natural fit for the job. Sato grew up in Hawaii, and after graduating with a double concentration in Visual Arts and Architecture Studies from Brown University, interned at architecture firms to start off her career. 

The experience inspired her to pursue a Master's of Architecture degree at California Polytechnic State University Pomona. After her studies, Sato chose to start an independent practice, Sato Architects, not out of necessity, but because it was "a natural and practical thing" for her to pursue. If you ask Sato now, her plan at the time was to get going and find a way to "do it right later," a vision that, over nearly a decade of practice, Sato admits, "just kept working." Today, aside from running her own firm, Sato is a LEED-Accredited Professional and serves as the President of the Association for Women in Architecture and Design (AWA+D), and is the creative force behind and host of the XX|LA Architecture Podcast. 

Archinect spent some time with Sato for an in-depth interview discussing her start as an architect, what it's like to work in Los Angeles, the art of asking questions, and what happens when someone tells you "don't go into architecture." 

What motivated you to study architecture? 

When I went to college, I didn't understand what architecture was, and I didn't know what I wanted to do. I was pretty naive and idealistic, and I just wanted to make a difference. I did my undergrad at Brown University, and I was fortunate that I ended up there. Their philosophy is to explore and love learning. Their grading system and the curriculum was very different: It was a place that was interested in providing an opportunity to learn. 

I actually started off in geology, oceanography, and environmental science because I wanted to move back home to Hawaii. Meanwhile, I was taking art classes just because I enjoyed them. By my sophomore year, I was Pre-Med and decided to major in art because of all the classes I had taken. I eventually took an "Intro to Modern Architecture" class, and that was what completely opened my eyes. I fell in love with it, and at the same time, I had very little passion for organic chemistry. So that's when I found architecture and realized that's what I wanted to do.

How did growing up in Hawaii help you with your architectural education?

I think that was why I found architecture so appealing. I learned about sustainable design and how much energy the building industry uses. I was intrigued by how we can make buildings perform better and what we can do to reduce the amount of resources that go into building construction. Along with the emotional impact that buildings have on our qualities of life, I think all of those elements influenced my interest in architecture. 

Actually, my thesis at Brown was on modern Hawaiian vernacular architecture. I wanted to explore the lessons we can take from native Hawaiian buildings and their relationship to the land, and also the building history in Hawaii, generally. I wanted to understand these ideas in terms of "what works" and how we can use that information to inform what we're doing now. 

That's what really got me interested in architecture: How buildings reflect what's important to us as humans, how we live and the statements we're making about who we are, and how we can better honor the environment we're in. 

That's what really got me interested in architecture: How buildings reflect whats important to us as humans, how we live and the statements we're making about who we are, and how we can better honor the environment we're in.  

With that perspective, a person’s relationship to the land becomes different and instead of building on top of nature you’re building almost parallel to it.

Yes. I often think about the house I grew up in, and my bedroom had windows facing the prevailing breeze. My house didn’t have air conditioning. We had a solar water heater which still works to this day. It's all those factors that I remember growing up with. Feeling the breeze and watching the curtains blow. It seems like a little thing, but it was my connection to that specific place. Those are my earliest architectural memories. I cant imagine living in Hawaii in a sealed-up, air conditioned box. It's those connections to our environment that make it such a wholesome way to connect to our surroundings somehow. 

What prompted you to start your own practice?

I was so idealistic going into architecture. I think about these things a lot, but when I started my own practice it was very natural and practical for me. I didn’t have a plan, even though I really wish I had. I thought, "Well, when I do this for real, I'm going to have a business plan and I'm going to have a clear focus and it's going to be making this big difference." 

What's funny is that I started a practice because that's what was happening. I think it was all of these different factors happening at the same time. I just took the opportunity and went for it.

I was working at a small firm during the recession, so I was getting exposed to doing everything. While I was there, in late 2010, a friend decided to start a workout studio and I helped her with the design. After doing that, I realized I could actually do it, I could work on these projects on my own. At that same exact moment, the office I was working in was slowing down. We were literally packing boxes to start closing down. I was doing other freelance work and I could just see that I was busy enough working freelance to support myself, so I just did it. I started my own business. I always thought I was going to "do it right later" but it just kept working, so that's kind of how it happened.

At the time I didn't really feel that I knew how to do things the way I wanted to [...] For me it's been a really long learning experience and learning about what works for me. It was important for me to realize that I don't need to care about how "how other people do things."

So when was the official start date of Sato Architects?

Officially, I got my business license in 2010 for my first project, but when I left my job in 2011, that was when I really started. Fortunately when I was working at my old office, I had already made good connections with engineers and contractors. They would throw projects my way because we liked working with each other. So the business just happened. I knew that if it wasn't such a bad recession, I would've at least found one or two other office jobs first before starting my own business. 

At the time, I didn't really feel that I knew how to do things the way I wanted to. I just knew how to do things based on what I did at the previous firms I worked at. I also knew the things I didn't want to do for my business. For me it's been a really long learning experience and learning about what works for me. It was important for me to realize that I don't need to care about how "how other people do things." 

In a previous podcast, you’ve shared that you’re essentially a “one-woman show” besides a part-time designer you work with, and few paid interns throughout the year.  What have been the biggest hurdles you’ve faced as an architect and business owner? 

As for hurdles, I wouldn't say there was one big hurdle, just a lot of little hurdles. Some of them, I’m still trying to figure out. The most important factor in having a strong business is that you need to find your people. I wouldn’t have had my first client if it wasn’t for the connections with engineers and contractors that I made early on. I still work with those people today. They taught me so much about everything. We run ideas past each other, we've had to troubleshoot mistakes. I realized I had "found my people" when situations would arise and we'd say "how can we fix this?" versus "who's fault is this?"

Relationships like this have been important to my success as an architect. The biggest hurdle anyone can get over is finding the people who you’re going to work well with. After that, it’s all the little hurdles like figuring out how to employ someone and write contracts. Those are all smaller hurdles you have to figure out and ask questions about.

The most important factor in having a strong business is that you need to find your people [...] I realized I had "found my people"  when situations would arise and we'd say "how can we fix this?" versus "who's fault is this?"

Relationships like this have been important to me as an architect...

As an architect, when do you start realizing that you can't do everything on your own and you have to ask for help?

Having humility as a business owner ensures that you’re going to be successful. If there’s a mistake or a problem, it doesn't help to ignore it, hope it goes away, or delay resolving it. A lot of times, I approach problems in work by asking myself "OK, what's the thing I'm scared of?" Then, after I identify it, I start from there.

How do you deal with the stressors of running a practice, and what keeps you motivated? How do you stay in it and level-headed? 

I think because I've been doing this for a while, I know motivation will ebb and flow. There are times when things will be hard and stressful. I’ve also been through times when it's hard to separate from the business and make time for things that matter. Honestly, I think most of the time, I know that I love what I do. Overall, I’m really proud that I’ve built this business, made a living from myself, and improved my clients' lives. 

I thought architecture was going to be fulfilling because of the design work I was doing. Yes, I get excited about design, but I care so much about my clients and we’ve formed such real relationships that it's actually the part of it that’s the most fulfilling and meaningful for me. Having that as a motivator really inspires me to be the best I can at it. 

Having humility as a business owner ensures that you’re going to be successful [...] A lot of times I approach problems in work by asking myself "ok what's the thing I'm scared of?" then after I identify it I start from there.

What are some common misconceptions recently graduated students might have when wanting to start their own practice? 

People romanticize about having their own business. That you’ll have a lot of freedom or time. I think in reality you'll learn that you have no time and a lot of bosses, especially at the beginning or if you're in a growth period. For people starting out you have to be comfortable knowing that you won't know how to do things. 

Once you start your own business, you’ll have an appreciation for the bosses and people you've worked with before. It's something that people might not understand until you’re in their shoes. When running a business, you have to be willing to make mistakes and understand that risk. It's important to know that you'll try everything you can to prevent them from happening, but just know you'll learn a lot and grow from it. 

With your background as an educator, what’s one thing you think more students should be present to while in school? 

I was at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona for 5 years teaching studio to first year undergraduate students. It was really fun. When I started teaching it was during a time when I was feeling burnt out from architecture. I felt out of touch with the reasons why I loved it in the first place. Teaching completely reinvigorated that love for architecture, in general. I eventually stopped because it became too much to do with having my own practice. But, it was something I was glad I was able to do.

What I would tell students, especially first years because they're so young is "if you’re struggling with the work and you don’t like it, find what it is you do like because it’s not going to get easier." I would tell them this every year. It’s a hard profession and it’s not worth it if you don’t love it. 

What I would tell students, especially first years because they're so young is "if you’re struggling with the work and you don’t like it, find what it is you do like because it’s not going to get easier."

What do you think schools should do to prepare students for the workforce?

What we could be doing better to prepare students, and I think architecture isn’t alone in this, is we could be teaching students financial literacy and business skills. Even if you're not running your own business, a lot of times when you're promoted you have to manage people, schedules, and budgets. How can we expect them to do this when we have trained them to only be good designers or good technicians? 

I believe so much of architecture has to do with soft skills like this. One of the things I'm doing, actually, with the podcast is interviewing people who have those skills and expertises. Those were areas that I feel I had to learn along the way. If I can help people by recording these conversations I'm having with experts then, why not?

I think this is great point you bring up. A lot of our readers are students and, I think, it's so important to reinforce and foster soft and hard skills. It's almost as if students who are transitioning into this area of their careers have to learn while doing. They don't have the resources like a mentor or someone to help with this type of thinking. 

The other thing I'd mention is that when I was talking with Barbara Bestor this past year at SCI-Arc's thesis reviews, she talked about the importance of creating spin for your own projects and proposals. The importance of explaining how and what you want to do is going to help and benefit other people. Essentially explaining to people what your crazy idea is and why it should exist, which may seem like common sense, but in architecture school we're always pitching to other architects and designers trained to think like us. 

This links to an interesting presentation I sat in by Liz Falletta. She talked about the relationships architects, housing developers, and planners have. One of the interesting topics she brought up is that we're all trained differently when we learn what defines a good housing development. In each discipline, we look at different case studies and value different criteria, so we actually don't know how to talk to each other in terms of what we're all looking for in a successful project. That topic she brought up really blew my mind. 

It's just really interesting to hear that everyone has a different view point of what is good and successful. So why don't we get more exposure to each other so we can combine those things and hit every mark for every person rather than not understanding each other?

Where do you see the future of architecture moving with regard to residential design? How do you stay inspired and true to your design process when living in a place like Los Angeles?

Residential architecture is really interesting because it reflects the values of people. For example, in modern times the kitchen is often the center focal point because we now live more informally. One of the reasons I like residential projects is because it’s so reflective of how we choose to live our daily lives. But I do think that over the past few years I have seen it become very expensive to buy and to build in L.A. I think something has to change. I think about this a lot because I didn’t go into architecture just to make the lives of people who could afford it better. I want my community to be diverse and I want it to be affordable and I want design to be available at all economic levels.

People are really into ADUs—I think it’s really amazing that people in the city who have been anti-density are in love with ADUs. It's funny because they probably don’t even realize they’re doubling the density.

Well, in California our building codes are so strict that it makes a big impact. We’re sort of forced into it here. I think, in general, architects can be better advocates and activists for this. The landscape architects are doing a better job, I think in regards to talking about this subject. 

While we talk also about energy efficiency and building materials, I wonder if there are ways in which we can just reduce and reuse a bit more than we are. I see the amount of construction waste that goes on, and the need to completely demo things. I kind of wonder about that impulse.  

To segue a bit, I know you have your own podcast called XX|LA Architecture Podcast. For people who aren't familiar, can you share with us what it's about, what prompted you to start it, and why it's called XX|LA? 

XX = two female X chromosomes, and LA = Los Angeles, simply representing that the podcast is about women in architecture in Los Angeles. I saw a call for a professional development fellowship for mid-career architects sponsored by the Association for Women in Architecture Foundation, which is a sister organization to AWA+D. I saw the prompt and thought it was really interesting, but didn't have any ideas. Eventually, I started to thinking about my own business, I felt a little bit lost with what I wanted to do in the future and where my business was going to go.

Most of the architects I worked for with were male and even when I was interning there weren't many female architects, certainly not in leadership positions. I realized that I didn't have that role model of someone who had a business and a family to look up to. I looked around and saw that I could identify successful female architects, but had very little exposure to them. So the podcast was sort of me selfishly wanting to really ask these women, "how did you do what you do?" 

...the podcast was sort of me selfishly wanting to really ask these women, "how did you do what you do?" [...] At this time the Equity by Design statistics had been published, led by Rosa Sheng, and when I saw the data I realized I wasn't alone. That's what really prompted me to go through with the podcast.

That's so interesting you say the podcast came out of a "selfish act." When I speak to women in architecture or other professions, when sharing their story they often explain that their breakthrough idea started as a "selfish need for something." Which in my opinion is actually quite the opposite. Women are very communal and usually we decide to start things because we know other people can benefit from it. 

Yes! I figured that if I was feeling this way, there were probably a lot of other women feeling that way too. At this time the Equity by Design statistics had been published, led by Rosa Sheng, and when I saw the data, I realized I wasn't alone. That's what really prompted me to go through with the podcast. It's been amazing meeting all of these interesting women and hearing their stories.

How long has the podcast been running now and why do you continue to do it? Also why is it specific to L.A.?

I've been doing it for little over than two years now. I've been doing one podcast a month and I enjoy it a lot. It was important to me that this stayed regional only because I prefer to have these conversations face-to-face. The content that comes out between of these discussions when speaking face-to-face is better, in my opinion. That's the main reason why it's L.A.-specific. 

I think that the fact that we're interesting to people is a good thing. Maybe we as architects should take those moments and try to take advantage of them [...] To help people understand what we do and what our value really is. We're problem solvers. We can identify issues or find solutions that may or may not follow the rules.

Is there a question you wish more people would ask architects? 

The stereotypical responses when I tell someone I'm an architect are: "you must be good at math" or "you must be good at drawing." But I do notice that laypeople are really curious about what architects do. For example, if you tell someone at a party that you're an architect, there are so many things they want to talk about, depending on their awareness of architecture. 

I think the fact that we're interesting to people is a good thing. Maybe we as architects should take those moments and try to take advantage of them in a way. To help people understand what we do and what our value really is. We're problem solvers. We can identify issues or find solutions that may or may not follow the rules. We have this really specific education that makes us question things and tackle issues. I think that's really important. I think what's more important is that there should be a change in the way that we respond, rather than wishing for someone to ask us the right questions. I think people don't know what to ask us because they don't know our world.

What's the best advice you've been given during your career? Any advice you'd give to those wanting to pursue a career in architecture?

Advice is different at each stage in your career. Advice should be personal, but I say what I say because somebody told me not to go into architecture. When I was interning at an architecture office before I applied to architecture school, the architects there kept telling me "don't do it." That was something I took to heart, because it made me pause and consider why they would say such a thing. But for me, I really loved architecture and couldn't see myself doing anything else. Granted, it’s not that I found architecture easy. I loved architecture because it was so challenging.

What I would say is: “If you love it but it’s really hard, that’s ok, you can keep doing it. But if it’s hard and you don’t like it, then what's the point?”