Sarah Wahlgren Wingo, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP
Owner + Principal Designer | Wyn Design Company LLC (Washington, DC)
Sarah Wahlgren Wingo, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP
In 2021, Sarah became the Owner and Principal Designer for Wyn Design Company LLC in Washington, DC. It’s truly been amazing to watch her career path as she became a licensed architect in Washington, DC by age 25 and a firm owner by age 30. She is also an example that many good things came out of the Covid era that push us to bigger and better chapters in our careers.
Originally from Austin, Texas, Sarah earned her Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Interior Architecture from Auburn University. While at Auburn, Sarah participated in the renowned Rural Studio, studied abroad in Rome, and completed her fifth-year emphasis in urban design at the Auburn University Urban Studio in Birmingham, Alabama. After graduation, Sarah moved to Washington, D.C. to serve as the 2016-2017 National President of the American Institute of Architecture Students.
As a committed volunteer and leadership development enthusiast, Sarah is involved in many professional and industry organizations. Sarah is a scholar of the 2019 Class of the AIA Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program, serves on the leadership team for the AIA|DC Emerging Architects Committee, and serves on many other local and national committees – notably as a Co-Chair with the Center for Civic Leadership. Her drive is to create opportunities and platforms for students and emerging professionals and connect architects with the communities they serve.
Educational Background
2016 Bachelor of Architecture & Bachelor of Interior Architecture from Auburn University
Q&A …
How has life changed since you've become licensed? Have you faced any obstacles since becoming licensed?
Getting licensed was a huge relief to reach a lifelong goal and get the time back that had previously been dedicated to studying. I think similarly to a lot of recently licensed architects, I also felt an immediate "goal void" where something so big had been accomplished, and now I was left looking around for another next step. After licensure, professional goal setting became a lot less clearly defined and I realized that this is where I needed to set out to actually design a career that I defined, rather than what was defined by the profession.
With more of an interior architecture focus, how does your day-to-day work differ from that of an architect that might work in a typical architecture firm?
I've found interior architecture to be more creative on a daily basis than base-building architecture, I think because the schematic design phase is a much larger percentage of the overall project in interior architecture. I still love the technical sides of design and enjoy working on construction drawings as needed, but the ratio of design to documentation is much more comfortable for me on the interiors side.
What gave you the courage and motivation to start your own business?
Urby Studio (Washington, DC)
As soon as I had designed and managed a few projects all the way from schematic design through construction administration under the guidance of my previous firm, I felt confident enough with my experience to at least "know what I don't know" and be able to ask the right questions along the way. I certainly did not think I knew everything nor believe that it would be seamless, but my community of mentors gave me the courage to know that I wasn't doing this blindly and would always have the resources to ask for help.
What learning curves have you had to overcome and/or are still overcoming?
My biggest lesson (that I continue to learn) is to listen to my instincts. Whether it's about a person or an opportunity or a design problem, I'm always happiest with the outcome when I listen to myself and don't overthink it too much.
Would you consider your career path along the lines of traditional or non-traditional?
It's hard for me to classify anybody's career in architecture as traditional these days! My practice involves firm ownership and adjunct professorship at George Washington University. When I'm not working in one of those roles, I love doing home renovation projects on our condo in Brookland, DC, traveling, serving on local committees, and exploring DC on bike.
How do you destress and remain motivated to carry on the profession?
The relationship between stress and motivation feels very complex to me. Over the years I've tended to overcommit in order to manufacture as much stress as possible to stay motivated and productive. This always leads to burnout and then I'd need time off to reset but I'd never actually fix the stress cycle. What I'm working on now is to reduce the major swings between working and relaxing, but to maintain an even relationship that supports daily motivation and happiness. I'm working to build the life and firm that I enjoy and am proud to work in -- and that has been my most motivating goal yet.
Episode 64 of Ask an Architect, hosted by the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS). Sarah is a past South Quad Director and the 60th President of the American Institiute of Architecture Students.
My Advice …
What advice can you give to graduates about career paths based on your experience?
“Get as much exposure to different types of firms and practice areas as possible before graduation! Even after graduation, keep your eyes open to what's going on in the industry through professional networks, conferences, staying connected with academia, keeping up with design awards -- it all reinforces that you're on the right track in your career and/or shows where you can be of the most value.
What advice can you give to young professionals who are struggling with the traditional career path of architecture?
“I think creativity looks different to everyone, and this profession is SO full of opportunities for creativity. It's very likely that any role at any firm can become stale, and it's so important to keep pushing for more responsibility and visibility in order to be in line for the interesting opportunities that will allow you to grow. Check in with yourself regularly about what is meaningful and valuable to you in a career, and pursue that without hesitation.”
Who inspires or motivates you? How do you remain motivated?
“I'm really inspired by the AIA|DC Emerging Architects Committee! I've been involved with the committee since 2017, and have had the opportunity to serve as Chair in 2021. It's such a great group to build connections with and gain inspiration. As a committee we've spent a lot of time talking about peer mentorship, and it's been such a valuable part of my professional development to be surrounded by other emerging professionals that inspire and challenge me.”
- Sarah Wahlgren Wingo, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP