Combining Art with Architecture

Marissa Dionne Mead

FCA
Principal, Director of Art Integration

20 Years
in the Industry

How did you get started in the AEC Industry?

As a kid, I loved building things, solving puzzles and drawing. Heading into college I wasn’t quite sure what path I wanted to take but Architecture checked a lot of boxes. Ultimately, I attended the University of Notre Dame to study traditional architecture and urbanism. While there, I also took classes in figure sculpture and completed a concentration in furniture design. This combination of art, architecture, and making has remained a theme throughout my career. When I graduated, I joined Svigals + Partners, an architecture firm in New Haven that was founded by a sculptor.

What inspires you to design? Do you incorporate any unique perspectives or values into your designs, and how do you think your experiences as a woman influence your work?

I’m inspired by the intermingling of art and architecture. For thousands of years, buildings the world over were rich with ornamentation and artistry. Unfortunately, the 20th century saw a lot of this stripped out of contemporary architectural design. In my work, I strive to reawaken architecture with customized patterns and sculptures that tell a story about a place. These elements are best developed in collaboration with the stakeholders of a project to celebrate a shared identity and inspire a sense of belonging. This layer of collaboration is really important – the project becomes not just about a result but also about a process. In general, women tend to be more inclusive and collaborative leaders. The design industry now trumpets the power of collaboration, I believe in large part because leadership is getting slowly but steadily more female and more diverse.

Who have your role models been? Have you had any mentors throughout your career, and how have they shaped your journey in architecture?

Early in my career, I did a stint working for a preservation architect in Chicago. While there, I learned that she had founded the firm in the early 80s when she had young children – which was unusual for that time. As a young mother myself, I hadn’t even really imagined the idea that I could run a company. Her influence shifted a paradigm for me and made me recognize my own aptitude for leadership.

How do you think architecture can help address social issues, and how have you seen women lead the way in creating inclusive, equitable spaces?

I had the honor of working with community members in New Haven to develop a Memorial Garden to Victims of Gun Violence. At the helm of the project were four inspiring mothers who have lost children to gun violence in our city. These women were forces for collaboration in the community and their powerful testimony brought supporters for the project from across the state.

One of the extraordinary things about the Garden is that it was conceived from the start to be a living memorial. It was a dream shared among grieving families years ago, developed collaboratively with the community over many months, and will be a place that will be tended thoughtfully for years to come. The process of creation, the ongoing maintenance, and the tending of the garden continues to offer opportunities for healing.

The Garden is a symbol of our ability to come together, grow, and strive for a better tomorrow. It is a place to work together, tend together, and plan together. It is a place to break down cultural barriers and build a plan for a more peaceful future.

How do you see the conversation on sustainability going in our industry?

Conversations on sustainability will broaden to capture the importance of equitable access to healthy, sustainable and resilient communities. I also think art weighs into the conversation on sustainability. Artful architecture responds to something deep in our humanity – our instinctual drive to seek out meaning, order, and beauty in the world. When we find these places, we cherish them and care for them and want to pass them down to future generations. Creating places that are enduring is a strategy to reduce long term ecological footprint.

What has been the most fulfilling moment of your career so far, and how did it shape your professional journey?

In 2010, during the recession, I was laid off from my job. It was devastating at first. But I quickly decided that I could use this unfortunate circumstance as motivation to accomplish something positive and still move my career forward. First, I committed to getting my architectural license, which I did in record time even with a baby at home and another on the way. And second, I got a new job at a studio in New Haven that designs and fabricates architectural ornament and public art. Sculpting and building in a shop alongside highly skilled artisans was a transformative experience and reminded me of my passion for handcraft in architecture. The experience helped to solidify my expertise in integrated art and is something that continues to influence my projects today.

Tell us about some of your favorite projects you’ve worked on.

Ornamentation for the Slover Library in Norfolk VA
While at BloomerStudio, our team provided design, fabrication and installation of architectural ornament on the building’s glass ceiling and facades. The end result is a stunning work of art that showcases how ornament is not a relic of past genres but can be incredibly powerful even in modern applications.

Beehive Bridge in New Britain CT
This project was the transformation of a utilitarian vehicular bridge into a bright, sculptural, pedestrian experience in the city. It helped knit two neighborhoods back together after they were bifurcated by a highway in the 70s. The bridge has become a recognizable icon in the state.

What advice would you give women just entering the industry?

I encourage anyone entering the industry to get involved! Participating in industry organizations like AIA or NOMA is a great way to network and grow leadership skills.

And remember, AEC professionals have a lot to contribute outside our immediate professional world, as well. For that reason, I recommend getting involved in local municipal or advocacy groups that are tangential to our industry, such as zoning & land-use, preservation, the arts, or park stewardship. The list goes on. Our home communities need our skills in creativity, collaboration and problem solving. We’re also able to use our technical skills to help illustrate problems and solutions in clear and compelling ways.

It’s fulfilling to be a force for positive change in the communities where we live and where we might be raising our families. Identify an issue that you’re passionate about and find a way to contribute!