Meet the Team: Kaitlyn Janisch

HI, Kaitlyn!

“My favorite part of design is that not only do people influence the built environment around them, but that the built environment influences people as well.”

What is your professional background?

After getting my undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota, I pursued an M.Arch from City College of New York and lived in Manhattan for the duration of that program…and then some. While in NYC, I worked a handful of odd jobs and interned at a high-end residential architecture firm, who also specialized in furniture design for their clients. Upon moving back to the Twin Cities, I spent nearly 9 years at a multi-family housing architecture firm, where I was able to learn the intricacies of unit design, accessibility and building code.

What inspired you to work in architecture?

As a teen considering what my future would look like, I was drawn to the structured creativity of architecture. I loved math, science, and the arts — and teenage-me thought architecture was the perfect melding of those interests. In college, I learned I loved architectural history through a wonderfully charismatic professor, with whom I traveled on a study abroad history program to Greece. It was through architectural history that I realized that my favorite part of design is that not only do people influence the built environment around them, but that the built environment influences people as well. Ultimately, I’ve found the profession of architecture to be a good fit for my skills and interests, and am inspired to continue producing good design. 

What do you look forward to most at RoehrSchmitt Architecture?

The variety of project types, the people, and the office environment.

How do you hope to make an impact on your firm?

I thrive in efficiency, organization, and intentionality - and I bring that with me in both my personal and professional life. I would love to find how I can bring these skill sets of mine to RoehrSchmitt to add to the already established workflow of the team.

Favorite tool of the trade?

It’s a tie between Bluebeam and building code. One provides a lot of tools to effectively coordinate and communicate with the team, whereas the other provides the rules and building blocks that will most impact your design.

What would your perfect day look like?

Waking up at 7, going on a run, getting an iced coffee, and partaking in some sort of outdoor activity that ends at a brewery or restaurant, followed by eating something delicious either homemade or dining out – apply this to either home or on a vacation, swap out the beverage depending on local availability.

Coffee or tea?

Coffee. In the summer months: cold brew with cream. In the winter months: a hot latte. And non-seasonally dependent, I will always splurge for a fun flavored latte!

What is one word you would use to describe your team? Explain why.

Complementary. In my short time at RoehrSchmitt it is widely apparent that everyone works well together and has complementary skill sets to really make projects shine.

What is your favorite thing to do that isn't work related? 

Spending time outside - be it walking the dog, chasing a toddler up and down the alley, or hiking in a beautiful scenic spot (with said dog, toddler, and husband). We do have a cat too, but she is not outdoorsy!

What’s the best advice you have ever received?

Time will pass anyway – which I have taken to mean, don’t let the fear of how long something takes stop you from making small starts. A year from now you can be incrementally closer to the end goal than if you did nothing at all.