Bio:
The great designer,  Crystal Knapik is a Filipino-American Architect at Vocon and Co-Director of Programming for AIA Cleveland. She lends her passion for sustainability and technology to many of the firm’s transformational projects, including corporate, residential, and civic projects. She has been influential in developing office-wide sustainable initiatives, both through design and practice. Her affinity for the digital arts is reflected in her work and has become a firm leader and mentor in design technologies.

How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
I discovered that I loved this profession while working on my first real-world project after college. Only then could I truly exercise my love for problem-solving design challenges that would eventually improve a population’s health and wellbeing.

What do you do?
I am inspired by design technologies & the digital arts, but I am also fascinated by the precision of an architectural detail. As an architect I maintain both a conceptual & technical mindset to follow a project from concept design into construction.

What excites you in the work you do?
I am energized by any opportunity to work within a community that is constantly evolving, growing, and learning. I am fascinated by how the built environment can affect socio-cultural behavior and perspectives of an entire neighborhood.

Who or what inspires you professionally?
I strongly believe that some of the greatest ideas result from multi-disciplinary cross-pollination. Being able to work creatively with an eclectic group of minds inspires me to reach beyond my own boundaries to achieve holistic design innovation.
 
What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
I feel extremely lucky to look back on my life and remember every moment that brings me pride. Each professional hurdle that I accomplished represents a different challenge I needed to overcome, all of which led to further my own professional growth.

Featured Project Name: 
Ohio City Mixed-Use Development for the Snavely Group
 
Featured Project Location: 
Cleveland, OH
 
Featured Project Completion Date: 
Summer 2020

Role in Featured Project: 
Project Designer
 
Featured Project Description:
Currently under construction, this mixed-use project draws from its eclectic, socio-economically diverse neighborhood. Part renovation & part new-build, it is 1 piece of a 3-phase Ohio City neighborhood gateway redevelopment of existing buildings and underutilized parking lots. Inspired by local industry & art, the bold materiality responds to the contextual nature of the community, bringing contemporary details to a region with 19th century roots. The project is pursuing LEED for Homes Silver.

Photography Credit:
Renderings by Crystal Knapik, Vocon