Latent Designs, PLLC

Hi from Phoenix, AZ, where I'll be presenting at A4LE's LearningScapes conference tomorrow!

I've intentionally pulled back from social media, but wanted to pop on to say hello. If you'd like to follow along with my work here at Latent Designs with more regularity, look for me on LinkedIn.

Stepping back from this platform is allowing me to reclaim my time, focus on doing good work, and stay positive instead of engaging in comparing myself with others and what I "should" be doing.

Get out there and do that good work in real places!! The world needs you!

Voting is LIVE for PEA's Green Business of the Year 🗳️✔️ Will you vote for....

Salem Soil Solutions ➡️ helping regenerate soil and grow healthier plants through biology, not chemicals, in order to restore the living soil microbiology that drives ecosystem resilience, plant vitality, and human health.

Bashavia Gardens ➡️ designing and installing native plant gardens across the Triad, including a native plant demonstration garden in partnership with the City of Winston-Salem's sustainability department.

MO Empanadas ➡️ proving that food trucks can be sustainable with composting, compostable plateware, and their solar energy compatible truck.

Latent Designs, PLLC ➡️ reimagining buildings to connect us with history, nature and each other through the principle and concept of adaptive reuse.

Fair Witness ➡️ serving up sustainable cocktails with fossil-fuel free heating and cooling, tree planting to offset operations, and creative glass upcycling that supports community gardens.

Cast your vote here ➡️ https://www.peanc.org/green-business-of-the-year

Wow! I'm honored to have received 's 2025 Educator of the Year award!

The award typically goes to professors teaching at a collegiate level, whereas I intentionally bring design education to students grades 3-12. I teach younger students because:

1. Everyone is born creative, but too often an over-structured school environment focused on the "right answer" tells our children to conform. Design values divergent thinking and better prepares students for a job market that does the same. If we can reach younger students with design education, we can tap into their innate creativity before it's lost.

2. Design professions are still woefully homogeneous in terms of cultural representation. By exposing youth to architecture and other related career fields, we can lay the foundation for a generation of diverse designers.

I'm humbled and grateful for this recognition of my work with Community Design Studio Winston Salem and Forsyth Country Day School. When I started teaching in 2019, I was fueled by passion for something new (and had a lot to learn!), and this award renews my energy to continue teaching as a key part of my practice.

Thank you to the jury and especially to my dear friend Colby ( )for seeing the value in my work and nominating me for this award - your support means the world. 💚

This work is not done in silos. I also thank Elise Barrella, PhD, PE , co-conspirator and curriculum creator at CDS, and my current and past FCDS colleagues who believe in me and have taught me how to teach: Gardner Barrier Michelle Klosterman, PhD, Yolanda McClure, EdD. Scott Pohjola Tamara Harrington Joe Trotter

To learn more about CDS' non-profit education work, visit communitydesignstudio.org

What a beautiful site visit this morning in a garden from my dreams! 🌱

I don't usually do residential design but when a past client and friend asks me to help with a backyard cottage with this view... I'm all in. 🥰😍🤩