We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Danielle Lands a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Danielle, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
I have always felt optimistic by helping others, and now my main driver comes from teaching at the University of Miami School of Architecture. I teach, alongside several other wonderful faculty, the Freshman Visual Representation course. Unlike many other undergraduate programs, Architecture is an intimate and studio-based program, where the interaction is primarily one-on-one, as opposed to a lecture setting. Architecture is at its core the production of drawings that are handed off, and these visual tools are the focus of the course.
My students are constantly asking incredibly insightful questions, which lead to interesting discussions. As architects, we sometimes get bogged down in the minute details and management of our private client work, and teaching expands my vision, and allows me to foster relationships with budding designers. Their curiosity about where the field has been, and how technology is impacting it makes me optimistic not just about the field of architecture, but for our society as a whole.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am the founder of studio No. 11, and architectural design firm, and Lecturer at the University of Miami School of Architecture. This week marks the three-year anniversary of studio No. 11. A pandemic brainchild, studio No. 11 has been my venue of exploring architectural expressions through client work, research, and teaching. Working on a handful of projects at a time, my clients always receive the attention that their project needs and deserves.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three aspects that have impacted me the most are my drive, stubbornness and support system. I’ve always been very motivated professionally, so taking the leap to starting my own business was only a matter of time.
My stubbornness has helped me brush things off when it gets rocky, and as any business-owner will know, it’s not always smooth sailing. I have my grandfather to thank for that – we always said he was like Teflon: he let the little things go.
The third is my support system – I have an incredibly supportive partner, family and professional community. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
I have my Mom to thank for being my primary professional support system. As a business-owner herself, she has helped me every step of the way. An attorney in Montreal, my Mom branched out on her own at a young age, and worked with some interesting characters along the way. She taught me that the characters are part of the fun, and how to navigate running a business as a women in male-dominated fields. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have had such an inspirational person in my life from day one.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.studiono11.com
- Instagram: studio.no.11
Image Credits
studio No. 11 Simage Media
