Uncommon Profiles: Alanah Braaksma

Say “hello” to Alanah Braaksma! Alanah has been working in architecture for five years and we’re so happy to have her on the team. We asked Alanah a few questions to get to know her a little better.

If you could travel back in time, where would you go and what would you like to design? Medieval times…and castles!

Castles, in their time, weren’t just impressive fortresses—they were feats of engineering and design, blending defense with functionality and even artistry. It’s incredible to think of the ways builders of the time solved design challenges with the materials and tools they had, and how they created structures that still capture our imagination centuries later.

Outside of architecture, what do you like to do for fun? Hiking and traveling.

Stepping outside—around the corner or around the world—always lends a fresh perspective. Hiking gives an opportunity to notice details in the natural world—patterns, textures, and forms that often inspire design ideas. Traveling exposes us to different cultures, landscapes, and architectural styles. A good reminder that there are countless ways to think about space and structure.

What advice would you give to someone just getting started in the field of architecture? Learn to sketch sooner, it’s the best way to get out ideas fast!

Sketching is one of the fastest and most effective ways to capture ideas before they slip away. And sketches don’t have to be perfect or polished—just putting pen to paper helps you explore concepts, solve problems, and communicate visually with others. The sooner you get comfortable sketching, the more confident and creative you’ll feel in developing designs.