NAK’s Staff Spotlight series has the goal of letting you get to know our team better through a series of 6 questions, geared to explore how we chose the field of design, what our guiding principles are, and what type of advice would we give. Today, we are getting to know, one of NAK Toronto’s Associates, Kathy Kadziela!
Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What did you want to be when you grew up and why?
For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to be either an Architect or an Urban Designer when I grew up.
My mother, who is a big inspiration for me, was herself, trained as an Architect. As a kid, we would often travel to admire and observe how people live in different parts of Europe where I would often listen to her speak about the artistry and history of design.
What made you choose the field of Landscape Urban Design?
It’s one of the greatest professions in the world: it’s varied, creative, challenging, even secure – something hard to come by in the current economic climate.
The profession allows you to influence entire communities with decisions about how areas are developed and even where buildings can be placed. As an Urban Designer, you have an opportunity to benefit society, and to shape the world around you.
What are some of the principles that you have lived by? What guides you?
Principle 1: Do pursue ideas that you believe in.
Principle 2: See inconveniences as adventures.
Principle 3: No matter how good/smart/confident you are, always double check your work.
If you could trade lives with one person for a day, who would it be and why?
Tom Cruise – He’s less a human being and more a physical manifestation of human willpower.
If I traded lives with him for one day I would go around doing crazy things! Fly my own plane, jump off a cliff, climb Burj Khalifa.
What career advice would you give to your younger self?
If I could, I would tell my younger self that life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you.
They are supposed to help you discover what you are made of.
Do you have any favorite stories from your work life? What are they?
Food for thought – Taking city streets back from cars https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZORzsubQA_M