Julia Campbell, AIA, WELL AP, is an architectural designer at Torti Gallas + Partners, one of the nation’s leading firms in affordable housing. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and a Master of Architecture from the University of Maryland. Early in her career, Julia learned that self-advocacy and relationship-building were key to meeting her licensure goals. We asked the Maryland-based architect about her approach to design, tips for navigating professional setbacks, and how she continues to learn from others.
Tell us about your earliest memories of the built environment. What inspired you to study architecture?
The cliches of playing with blocks, Lincoln Logs, and Legos as a child were all very true for me. I loved to put pieces together and understand how things got built, and I thought I could work in construction. Saturday mornings were dedicated to watching every show imaginable on HGTV. When I was 12, my stepdad mentioned that he knew an architect, and after understanding what that meant, I never looked back. I also remember asking my family to go to residential open houses, because I was so curious about how different housing configurations could look.
Once I got to the University of Maryland, I learned how multi-faceted the profession was. Not only was I able to be creative, but this career requires technical understanding, problem solving, code and legal compliance, math, physics, history, environmental science, and more. I felt this profession would be holistic, and it really is, as every week looks different.
You were accepted to AIA Potomac Valley’s Emerging Professional Awards Program for your leadership. What role has mentorship and professional development played in your career?
I would not be where I am today in my career without mentorship and collaboration with those around me. Building and maintaining connections to my classmates, professors, and coworkers helped broaden my horizons in the industry. By constantly reminding myself that I can build the career I want for my life, I prioritized professional development in college and early on in my career. A coworker suggested I apply for the AIA Potomac Valley’s Emerging Professional Awards Program, a year-long leadership and mentorship program. At the time, I was my firm’s emerging professionals leader, advocating for ways to increase and encourage licensure early in our careers. Her nomination and my eventual selection into the program helped give me that final push toward licensure. I was paired with a mentor who is a renowned FAIA member in Maryland, and he encouraged me to take my final two Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®) divisions. His support of my professional growth and pivotal career moment was amazing to have, and I’m looking forward to more conversations and networking with him and other AIA Potomac Valley members.
What were the biggest challenges to earning a license, and how did you navigate setbacks?
I started the licensure process during my first architectural internship, where the architects encouraged me to start documenting the experience I was gaining. That early in your career, earning varied work experience can be a challenge. To navigate this, persistence and patience were on my side. I learned to advocate for myself, asking to earn experience in multiple project phases. The timing of certain jobs can be a challenge, but when opportunities presented themselves, I would ask to attend project management-focused meetings or go on site visits.
My biggest setback in the licensure process was failing the Project Planning & Design (PPD) division twice. I felt very confident after passing the other five exams, but the two failures were a challenge. I had the motivation to pass, and switching up my study resources helped me navigate areas that I was not grasping. Being open to pivoting and recognizing study habits that were not working was key in passing that exam, which was my last step before becoming licensed.
I could foresee the future I envisioned for myself—that this career is not just a job, it is my life purpose.
How did you stay motivated during your licensure journey?
Throughout my academic and professional life, I have put myself in new situations to explore and run toward the things I did not know. In doing so, I grew more confident in my abilities to navigate the unknown and remember to keep learning. Because becoming an architect was a passion of mine since childhood, I would remind myself that this is what I always wanted. I could foresee the future I envisioned for myself—that this career is not just a job, it is my life purpose. Education, experience, and exams were in front of me, and it was satisfying to check off those requirements one by one. As challenging as earning a master’s degree was, I chose a thesis topic that I was passionate about and felt fulfilled in pursuing. Working at a few different firms broadened my experience, although much of the focus was still on residential architecture. And gaining more experience at work helped me succeed on the exams. It was a sigh of relief when I realized some parts of the exam were very similar to my own work experiences.
As an architectural designer at Torti Gallas + Partners, your work spans affordable housing to market-rate projects. What is your core approach to design and its impact on the community?
Nothing motivates me more in this profession than the understanding that our work impacts the daily lives of people and communities. A thoughtful, considerate mindset is part of my design tool kit, and it is an honor to have the responsibility to create places that improve people’s lives. I honestly remind myself daily that other people will be in and at these spaces and places. It is what keeps my design integrity in check and keeps me focused on designing with intention. My core belief is that great architecture is what will prioritize and best serve the experience of the community. It should be functional, feasible, sustainable, equitable, and positively impactful, whether it is an affordable housing or market-rate neighborhood.
As an emerging architect in the 2020s, affordability across all socioeconomic statuses is a challenge. Despite that, I approach design at either end of the spectrum the same way. Design craft and quality should not inherently be different or suffer when the architecture is value-engineered or when materials or labor are too expensive. Knowing how buildings come together in the details can help architects deliver our design in clever ways. Adaptability and foresight into how the building can still be of high quality amidst outside influences will be key throughout my career.
My core belief is that great architecture is what will prioritize and best serve the experience of the community.
What advice do you have for other emerging professionals?
Self-advocacy and self-discovery have led me to the position I am in today, feeling fulfilled with my career despite it still being relatively early on. Being open-minded to the thoughts and ideologies of fellow colleagues and mentors has made me realize that our careers can manifest in many ways. The more knowledge I gain, the more I have developed my own ideologies and what is important to me. And trust me, I was once a lost puppy looking to see where I would fit in.
My advice for students just starting out in architecture is to accept there is a lot to learn, projects take time, and you can grow from and with your peers. Show classmates your studio project and ask them what they think. Present your portfolio at a career fair even if you are nervous. Seeking internships will come from professional and personal connections within your community. Start your NCARB Record as soon as you have your first internship, as it will motivate you to gain experience early in your career. Once it is time to begin taking exams, lean on your colleagues for study tips and resources, and be sure to take the free NCARB practice exams, which were very helpful. Overall, even in the mundane tasks, or long spans of time working on a project, find your passion and enjoy that journey.
Want to hear more from architects across the U.S.? Check out more stories from NCARB's Architect Spotlight series.
