051: Ann Rolland: Architecture and Retirement: Reflecting on the Process, Designing the Next Phase

Jan 27

Today's guest is Ann (Annie) Rolland. Annie recently retired as a Partner from FXCollaborative where she was the Director of the firm’s Cultural and Educational practice. Annie’s work embraces the pragmatic and creative- cultivating new integrations of program and design. Her projects are practical, responsive, elegant, and enduring while respecting the essence of each client and place.

Annie is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, a registered architect in New York, and a Fellow of the AIA. She is active on the AIA New York Committee on Architecture for Education, Non-Traditional Employment for Women (NEW), and the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation (BWAF). In 2021, Annie was recognized as a Notable LGBTQ Leader by Crain’s New York.

We talk about:

- Annie’s career in architecture from high school through retirement. We focus on pivotal moments in her journey and the advice she would share with others who want to follow in her path.

- We next focus on Annie’s role as a firm leader. She advises on the importance of vocalizing your goals as you grow within a firm, how she optimized her role during economically uncertain times, and how she utilized adaptability and strategic planning as a firm leader.

- We also chat about her views on hybrid work environments, flexible schedules, and how architecture must evolve post-pandemic.

- Annie also emphasizes the importance of leaving a lasting impact through quality, mentorship, and socially responsible design. We highlight her volunteer efforts and discuss her overhaul of her firm’s material library to eliminate products that utilize forced labor.

- We end with a popular question- do architects ever really retire? We talk about her upcoming projects including a renovation and work with her local zoning board.

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Links:

Connect with Annie: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-annie-rolland-faia-25b0079/⁠⁠