10Qs Getting to Know the People Behind the Projects…Anne Marie Garcia

“I strongly believe that we all have an inherent right to heal in spaces that instill a sense of safety, beauty, community, and dignity.”

Anne Marie Garcia, LEED AP, is Director of Client Relations based in the Boston office. Empathy in Architecture written by Anne Marie was published in Medical Construction & Design Magazine (MCD).

1. Where did you grow up?

I was a bit of a nomad as a child, living in New England, Arizona, and Guatemala. When I was in high school we eventually settled on the South Shore of Massachusetts and I consider that my home. I feel extremely lucky to have grown up experiencing different cultures and geographies, but I’m a coastal girl through and through. That’s why after years of being away I’ve finally made my homecoming to Massachusetts.

2. How did you get into design?

From a very young age I was always interested in art and design. I remember school friends always asking me to draw cartoon characters on their jeans and book bags. I eventually started college in a visual design program and got my first design job as a furniture designer. Through that job I worked with many interior designers and architects, one of which was a professor at the Boston Architectural College who had written a book called 101 Things I learned in Architecture School. He made a joke one day and suggested I enroll because (in his words) I “naturally had very architectural handwriting.” I took him seriously and that’s how I started my journey. I ended up moving to San Francisco where I shifted focus to designing on a smaller scale as a product developer for an apparel company, but eventually made my way back to designing for the built environment. While my current role is not design-based, I’m excited to champion and be an advocate for the amazingly talented designers at E4H.

3. Who influenced you?

Both my parents were very creative in their own ways. My father worked in advertising and was a talented poet, musician, and artist. He always had his nose in a book and taught me that the creative process should be iterative, humorous, and maybe even a little  absurd. I would describe my mother’s creative side as gentle and compassionate. There is a kindness and warmth to everything she does, from designing her home, cooking a gourmet meal, or cultivating her beautiful garden.

4. Why healthcare architecture?

I fell into healthcare architecture by default and I’m genuinely glad I did. The Boston Architectural College is a concurrent learning model, which means you have to work in the industry AND go to school full time. I interviewed with MorrisSwitzer Environments for Health (the first iteration of E4H). They were in the process of opening the Boston office and needed an administrative assistant/Jr. designer. I got the job and started my career working around a conference table with Dale Taglienti, LEED AP, Principal as we waited for the office fit-out to be completed. This is when I first learned of the important influence design has on health outcomes. After my own cancer diagnosis and experience in other health facilities, I became acutely aware that my body and nervous system were not only reacting to my treatment.  It was clear that my surroundings were directly informing my healing journey as well. I strongly believe that we all have an inherent right to heal in spaces that instill a sense of safety, beauty, community, and dignity.

5. What inspires you?

Lately I’ve been very inspired by Trauma-Informed Design, particularly in behavioral health spaces, which is a design concept that explores ideas for the built environment based on the principles of Trauma-Informed care. The goal of trauma-informed design is to create environments that promote a sense of calm, safety, dignity, empowerment, and well-being for all occupants.

6. What advice can you give young designers?

Early in my career (and still to this day sometimes) I really struggled with imposter syndrome and perfectionism. Eventually you learn that not knowing what you’re doing and making mistakes are and an important opportunity to learn and although sometimes very uncomfortable, it’s quite necessary for the growth process.

There is a quote by Neil Gaiman that has always stuck with me, I read it every New Years Eve to myself. Perhaps someone else might find it inspirational as well:
“So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work, or family, or life. Live only as you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.”

7. Most memorable project?

In my new role as Director of Client Relations I won’t be directly involved in project design but I’m excited to create new memories and be a supporting part of a team that will make every project memorable for our clients.

8. What is your favorite part of the design process?

I get really excited about the early stages of the design process, in particular design research.

9. Where do you see healthcare design in 5 years?

My hope is that we’ll continue to see the prioritization of patient and caregiver wellness incorporated into design. I think utilizing design practices such as biophilic and trauma-informed design to improve mood and reduce stress will only become more popular.

10. How do you unplug?

I love yoga, meditation, archery, Jeopardy, NYT crossword puzzles, cooking, and especially being in nature.