Kate Ishol, Assoc. AIA, is in her first year on the AIA South Dakota Board of Directors. Kate enjoys the dynamic nature of design and is discovering an interest area in urban planning. She is an Architectural Graduate at Architecture Incorporated.
How did you decide to become an architect/design professional? Is there a specific moment you remember noticing design in the world around you?
I initially studied English and French and went on to work in various industries. These experiences made me realize that I wanted a career that offered a chance for me to be creative and make an impact on people’s lives. Architecture stood out as a way to thoughtfully shape the spaces around us and influence how people experience the world in a meaningful way.

What are your key areas of expertise in your field? What do you want to learn more about?
Since I recently graduated, I’m still discovering where my strengths lie within architecture, but one area that has piqued my interest is urban planning. What makes a neighborhood work? How can the design of infrastructure and community dynamics intersect to create more livable communities or amplify what’s already there?
What is the most rewarding aspect of your work?
I find that the most rewarding part of my work is the opportunity to gain a range of diverse experiences. Each project lets me dive into different aspects of our field, and I learn something new every day from working with my team and clients. It keeps my work dynamic and continually challenges me to grow.
What’s something you wish the general public knew about your profession?
Architecture is problem-solving with layers of responsibility. Every decision has to juggle creativity, care, safety, budget, politics, and relationships.
What piece of advice would you give your younger self?
Take more risks—every failure is an opportunity to grow.
How do you spend your free time?
Cooking, reading, hiking, spending time with my family, traveling.
What’s one thing—industry-related or not—you learned in the last three months?
I’ve learned that architecture is as much about design as it is about problem-solving with constraints. It’s about finding the best possible solution within the limits that you’re given.
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