EMPLOYEE spotlight

​The first feature of our Employee Spotlight series will be an interview with
JESSICA HULL

Jessica is one of our Architectural Associates II who joined TAS in 2018

SMC: What made you decide to pursue architecture?
Jessica: It started when I was very young; I was inspired by all the towns that I lived in. Everything was walkable, and my dad didn’t own a car, so we just walked everywhere. He was very artistic. His first job was in glassmaking; he worked with stained glass and had an artistic background. We would walk around Europe, go into older buildings, churches, museums and explore.

SMC: Was it meant for inspiration?
Jessica: He wanted me to get to know the history which subconsciously inspired my architecture interest. Now all I remember are these amazing places he took me to when I was young, and when Donnie and I visited for a week last year, we visited all those places. They have a huge architecture significance. I traveled to Italy with my dad…Austria...Switzerland. Being exposed to all of that was fascinating at a young age, and to think that we could be a part of a new history that’s left behind.

SMC: It strikes me that a lot of people don’t really know what architecture is until later in life. When you ask little kids what they want to be when they grow up, you always hear the usual: doctor, vet, policeman—never an architect. How old were you when you got interested in architecture?
Jessica: I actually didn’t know I had that curious passion in the field until high school. We lived on base in Fort Irwin, California, and I stared researching buildings—more the classical buildings in Greece and Rome, like the Parthenon and Pantheon. And I started drawing the columns and the details; I found that so interesting, and it inspired me to look more into the field. My senior year in high school, I started looking at architecture programs—it just spoke to me.

SMC: You traveled a lot when you were young. Was it just the two of you?
Jessica: I would see my dad every other weekend. We traveled around Germany...went camping. He would take me on a lot of traveling trips, just me and him. But I traveled with my mom, too. I traveled to Brazil with her, and that was a totally different experience, which was incredible. That was more family-oriented than touristy. My family there lives in the really poor part of Brazil, the non-touristy section which is called the favelas. My family had running water and electricity, but some of the favelas don’t even have that at all. So, I think seeing that portion of architecture—people building their own homes and making do with what they have—kind of influenced it.

​SMC: When you were younger, who would you say inspired you?
Jessica: When I was younger, definitely my dad, because he exposed me to artistic experiences. My mom, too, in a different way; she worked really hard and was focused on keeping a roof over our heads. So, I would say my parents. They brought me to where I am now. Now? I don’t know...I’d have to think about that. I think maybe just seeing other females in the field, like in the Women in Design meetings. I don’t know if I would say any specific architects inspire me—I think just any hardworking woman in the field, especially those juggling a career and family.

SMC: What projects are you currently working on?
Jessica: Many projects! I’m working on the new 798 Columbia apartment building. We started out with the schematic design and sketching, and now we’re transitioning to the design development phase, so that’s been exciting. I’m also working on The Madrone construction administration and I’m getting to go on construction meetings with Michael, Cameron, and Cory.

​​It’s really exciting too...and there’s not a lot of women in the meetings, so I love being a female representative. What else am I working on....West Bay Yards, Malt House, and Grays Harbor County. I’m working on the Hogum Bay Town Center, too, which is a big development in Lacey. I worked on the masterplan with Ron, and then transitioned to working with Michael. I’m also working on the Commercial I Building and Commercial II

Building. They’re all pretty similar, but we’re just trying to give a little mixture to it in terms of materiality, so it doesn’t all look too uniform. I really like that project because I was able to go from schematic design to design development, construction documents, and permitting even, and I felt a little bit more comfortable talking with engineers because it’s not such a huge project. At the office, I’m also coordinating all the lunch and learns with Bassim. I’m constantly trying to find some interesting lunch and learn presentations topics that we haven’t learned about before.

​SMC: Of everything that you’ve worked on, what has been your favorite project or task?
Jessica: I love everything (laughs)! I’ve done construction documents, construction administration...sometimes I’m asked to do renders which is really exciting. I think the most exciting part is getting a project scope from a client, and then turning that into a building—just that that can happen, you know, is so incredible.

SMC: What are some of your passions outside the office?
Jessica: Hiking and spending time with Donnie.

SMC: Any favorite hiking places?
Jessica: Definitely Olympic National Park. I just love all the mountains there, and I love backpacking. We went backpacking for a whole week about two years ago. We started by Hood Canal and ended up by the Quinault Resort. It was like a 50-mile hike; it was incredible. We saw bears and elk...just a great bonding experience; you have no technology.... And my favorite state park is Cape Disappointment.

SMC: I’ve heard of it but don’t know anything about that one.
Jessica: You must go. It’s just incredible. It has two lighthouses. You can hike down to the beach, but it also takes you up to higher perspectives where you can see the ocean.

SMC: It doesn’t sound disappointing at all!
Jessica: No, it’s not (laughs).... That’s what everyone always says when I tell them about it. Anytime I feel like I need an escape, that’s the place I go. 

SMC: Do you have a hike you’re looking forward to, one that you haven’t done?
Jessica: I would love to explore more of Mount Baker National Park. I don’t know much about it, but I see images of it on Instagram, and it looks just beautiful, especially during wildflower season. I’d love to someday be in the best shape I can to even be able to summit a volcano. My favorite volcano is actually Mount Hood.

So, besides hiking.... I do really like to bake. I just feel like I don’t really have enough time to expand my skills. But when I’m at home, and I’m just looking for something relaxing to do, I love to bake—mostly sweet things. I like to look up recipes, and I sometimes modify it a little like adding yogurt or sour cream to cakes, which makes them a little bit more fluffy and moist. I like to cook German food, too. So that’s super relaxing to me. And then, of course, spending time with friends and family. Oh, also, plants! I’m starting to populate my little office corner. Now that it’s spring, I think I’m going to try to propagate my umbrella plant and my jade plant.

SMC: One last question before we wrap up. What challenges have you faced in your career?
Jessica: My biggest challenge is myself (pauses)...setting boundaries.... I think I’m my worst critic. It’s sounds so cheesy, but think I really am. I want to get everything perfect and right, and it’s impossible. ​

As we ended the interview, Jessica shared about her passion for volunteering and community service, including her involvement in the Plum Street Tiny Village, the Olympia Dragon Mural, and other downtown murals. She currently serves on the Olympia Heritage Commission and is a volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters.