BRIEN GRAHAM
LPA Design Studios
SAY IT LOUD - NOW Exhibitor
Texas Based Designer
Who or what inspires you professionally?
The people who will inhabit the projects I work on provide daily inspiration. The journey from groundbreaking to ribbon cutting is filled with twists, turns, ups, downs, frowns, and smiles. Ultimately, the end result is always worth it.
BRIEN GRAHAM
Bio:
Brien Graham is helping shape the response to the challenge of creating a more equitable and diverse industry, a citizen architect devoted to working with underrepresented students and communities to increase access to the profession. He was one of 14 architects in the country who graduated from the inaugural class of the AIA Leadership Academy, 2023-2025 AIA National Strategic Councilor for Texas, and a 2023 AIA Young Architect Award recipient.
How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
II first learned about architecture from a conversation with my mother at ten while discussing my love of Lego. Subsequently, I convinced my school to allow me to take a high school drafting class at 12 years old.
What do you do?
I serve as the voice and conduit between owners, end users, and the design team to ensure the design solution addresses the critical project needs and intent while remaining fun
What excites you in the work you do?
Every day is different. I primarily work on K-12 and Sports + Rec projects, which have a generational impact on communities. I can engage stakeholders to help them set a vision for projects that will become fixtures in the community fabric.
Who or what inspires you professionally?
The people who will inhabit the projects I work on provide daily inspiration. The journey from groundbreaking to ribbon cutting is filled with twists, turns, ups, downs, frowns, and smiles. Ultimately, the end result is always worth it.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
I have two; becoming a licensed architect and being recognized with the AIA Young Architect Award for my work to advocate for underrepresented and underserved communities to have a voice in the design process.
Featured Project Name:
Broughton Park & Rec Center
Featured Project Location:
Longview, TX
Featured Project Completion Date:
December 2022
Role in Featured Project:
Project Manager
Featured Project Description:
The design provides renovations and an addition to a previously windowless 1970's recreation center. The addition incorporates a color palette that celebrates the natural landscape, including a new gymnasium, reception area with an administrative office, an open fitness area and lobby with an abundance of natural light. Additionally, natural light was introduced to existing meeting rooms, and an E-sports room was added in direct response to community feedback.
