While many people are familiar with Cornerstone Architects' custom residential architectural design, we also have a diversified portfolio of commercial work such as office, medical, retail, restaurant, recreational, mixed-use, resort, religious, master planning and multi-family facilities. What many people do not know is that, with the exception of Principal Partner, Rodney Palmer, our commercial department is an ensemble of exemplary females! In celebration of International Women's Day, we'd love to highlight this core group of women here at Cornerstone. They are a highly collaborative, committed, and experienced team having performed a vast majority of work in Austin and the surrounding areas.
KRISTIN SCHIEFFER
Commercial Projects Director
Education: Masters of Architecture, University of Texas at Arlington
Experience: 10+ years
"I love creating spaces and memories that can be inhabited by everyone."
Something About You That People Would Be Surprised to Know: I can’t whistle, despite years of practice.
Is a Hotdog a Sandwich, and Why? It's closer to a taco than it is a sandwich, in my humble opinion. A German taco of sorts?
Favorite Song Lyric: ‘White Blank Page, and a swelling rage’ (By Mumford and Sons)
Nickname and Why? Kiki – My brother couldn’t say my full name when I was little, and it just stuck. Everyone in my family still calls me Kiki.
Favorite Show to Binge Watch: Friends or Sherlock Holmes (On BBC with Benedict Cumberbatch)
Favorite Toy as a Kid: Legos!!
Which food should not exist? Raisins. They are terrible and liars.
MYRIAM HABIB
Senior Project Manager
Education: Masters of Architecture, University of Houston
Experience: 10+ years
"I love the functional side of things. In commercial architecture we have to work closely with each of our clients to decipher the most functional and efficient way for them to run their businesses. Then, we get to add some beauty to it 😊"
Something About You That People Would Be Surprised to Know: I wanted to be a paleontologist when I was kid. Architecture didn’t cross my mind until I was 17.
If You Could Jump Into a Pool of Something, What Would it Be? Chocolate
Favorite Show to Binge Watch: It has to be Friends and How I Met your Mother
What Superpower Would You Choose? Flying of course!
Favorite Place You Have Visited: Tokyo
EVELYN KENNEDY
Project Manager
Education: Bachelor of Architecture, University of Houston
Experience: 10 years (+5 while attending school)
"I love Commercial Architecture for the variety of project types you can be involved in such as Restaurant/Bars, Office Buildings, Hotels, Retail Centers and the impact that you could have in shaping the public environment. Also, I enjoy the challenges that come with meeting the building/zoning codes, since this may determine the types of construction materials used, building shape and form while ensuring that project’s budget and client’s needs are met."
Something About You That People Would Be Surprised to Know: That I am from a country right in the middle of the world, Ecuador!
Any Phobias? FLYING ROACHES!!
What Superpower Would You Choose? Teleporting
Favorite Place You Have Visited: Hard to decide…but I will go with Ireland. I enjoyed not only it’s beautiful sceneries, but their great culture and whiskey!
ASHLEY GRIFFITH
Project Coordinator
Education: Masters of Architecture, University of Cincinnati
Experience: 6 years
"Commercial projects are so different from each other that I always feel refreshed and more creative. Plus, there is always something to learn from working with new materials, construction types, and researching unfamiliar program needs. You also get to focus on each phase of the design process."
Something About You That People Would Be Surprised to Know: My side hustle is teaching Latin Dancing.
You Will Never Be Seen Without: Dog hair on my clothes. Husky puppy problems. No lint roller is strong enough.
Favorite Show to Binge Watch: Top Chef
Favorite Toy as a Kid: Tinker Toys. Unpopular opinion, but far superior to Legos.
No matter the project, our commercial team builds relationships with our clients and learns what makes them unique. We use the client’s vision in conjunction with our experience, to deliver a solution that fulfills our client’s goals and expectations. If you are ready to get started on a commercial project or interested in learning more about our project team and process, please contact our office at 512-329-0007 today!