Madame Architect

When we first got to know Nicole Dosso, FAIA in 2018, she was the Technical Director leading One World Trade Center and 7 World Trade Center at @skidmoreowingsmerrill . Today, Nicole is the Vice President of Design and Construction at @vornadorealtytrust , continuing to focus on New York City’s most complex projects, including the adaptive reuse of the civic Farley Post Office into the Moynihan Train Hall, the repositioning of the existing Penn 1 and Penn 2 buildings into a connected campus, and numerous district improvements which include the creation of Plaza 33. In her second interview with Julia Gamolina (@julia.gamolina ), as part of our Part II interview series for our anniversary month, Nicole talks about her transition, lessons learned, and how priorities shift from the role of the architect to that of developer. Link to both interviews in our bio. All photography courtesy of Vornado. #madamearchitect #realestate #newyorkcity #architecture #architect

Kimberly Dowdell (@knd7112 ) on her advice to those in the industry — full interview in our bio, as told to @julia.gamolina . #madamearchitect #architect #leader #mentor #architecture

New Earth Dialogues is a series of conversations exploring our collective future grounded in regeneration and abundance, of the Earth, of humanity, and of spirit. You are invited to our next conversation in partnership with @madamearchitect , featuring @mariamissoufouk , a visionary architect, researcher, and educator whose work bridges identity, place, and history across continents — from the Sahel to the halls of ETH Zurich. As the Founding Principal of @mariamissoufou_architects , she leads a research-based practice with offices in Niamey, New York, and Zurich, whose completed projects — including the Hikma Community Complex and the Dandaji Regional Market — redefine what architecture can mean for communities rooted in distinct cultural and ecological landscapes. Recognized with the UN’s 2025 Champion of the Earth Award, the Prince Claus Award, and multiple LafargeHolcim honors, Mariam has built a body of work that treats sustainability not as an aesthetic, but as a radical act of care and equity. In this conversation, Mariam will explore how architecture can serve as social practice — weaving together memory, belonging, and ecological responsibility to imagine built environments that honor both the past and the futures we are called to create. Join us for an evening of ideas, inspiration, and dialogue at the intersection of heritage, sustainability, and the power of design to transform lives. Tuesday, June 2, 2026 — 6:00pm–7:30pm  Another Tomorrow, 135 Wooster Street, New York Space is limited to maintain the intimacy that makes these dialogues meaningful. RSVP via the link in our bio to secure your spot.

Celebrating eight years of Madame Architect at @bossafurniture ’s New York City gallery! Thank you to everyone who joined us last week, to everyone who has shared their story with our readers over the years, to everyone who reads Madame Architect, and to everyone who continues to send wonderful people our way. I’ve always seen Madame Architect as something we are all building together - not only for the next generation, but for each other as well. A special thank you to Isabela Milagre (@isabela.milagre ) and the Bossa team for hosting us so generously in their beautiful space. Cheers, and happy NYCxDesign Week! - Julia Photography by Robert Byron Jones (@robertbyronjones ) #madamearchitect #bossagallery #architecture #architect

May is our anniversary month, and this year we’re celebrating in a way we never have before: by revisiting people we’ve previously featured and publishing Part II interviews that reflect where they are today. Since our first conversations, they have stepped into major leadership roles, shifted industries, and expanded their work in unexpected ways, and we’re excited to offer a rare look at how careers evolve, pivot, and take shape over time. We start with Kimberly Dowdell (@knd7112 ). Since her first interview published in September 2019, Kim has been the 2024 @aianational President, has started at @amrize , and has navigated personal challenges. And yet, since 2019, she has remained unwavering in her mission. In her conversation with Julia Gamolina (@julia.gamolina ), Kim talks about impact at scale, building bridges, and continuing to show up. Read Kim’s Part I and Part II interviews at the links in our bio. Pictured here is Kim in Chicago by Mike Jue. #madamearchitect #aianational #architecture #architect #leader

Last week we welcomed Lindsey Wikstrom, Founding Principal of @Mattaforma and 2026 Cooper Hewitt National Design Award recipient for Emerging Designer, for the latest installment of New Earth Dialogues. In conversation with @julia.gamolina of @madamearchitect , @lindsey.wikstrom shared her pioneering work at the intersection of architecture, ecology, and material innovation, grounded in the belief that the built environment can and must grow alongside the natural systems that sustain us. Drawing from her research into forest ecology and the findings of her book Designing the Forest, the dialogue explored how cities might fold the intelligence of natural ecosystems into the way we build, and made a compelling case for mass timber as a regenerative, plant-based alternative to the concrete and steel our cities have relied upon for over a century. The dialogue framed designing with timber as much more than a technical expertise, but as a vision for life more deeply connected to nature, suggesting that we are at the beginning of a new material era, one that over the next one hundred years will blossom into what we might call plant-based cities. We are grateful for the presence of everyone who joined us for this conversation, and to Lindsey and Julia. Photographer @SierraPruitt

@henninglarsenarchitects ’ Head of Sustainability, Kritika Kharbanda, on her advice. Link in our bio for the full interview, as told to @julia.gamolina . #madamearchitect #henninglarsen #advice #mentorship #leadership

“As the one who is ringing the alarm bell while getting continuous questions on why we need to retain the environmental features of a project when they cost extra, my goal is to move toward a world where a sustainable project is not necessarily a more expensive project. Apart from super necessary levers like policy, regulations and financing, one way to get there is to help scale the innovation happening in the world of materials and building technology. I want to use my position to bridge the gap between lab and implementation, from proof to deployment. We have done that at Henning Larsen through projects like One Boston Wharf in Boston, MA, where Sublime Systems’ low-carbon cement was used for the first time commercially, even if it is a small volume. In Europe, we are now building a logistics Center for Bestseller, which will have a straw-based façade, supplied by EcoCocon. This is a new way of rethinking what logistics center and the warehouse and data center typology can look like — they don’t need to be the eye sore they are right now and can actually be a channel for positive environmental and social impact.” — @henninglarsenarchitects ’ Head of Sustainability, Kritika Kharbanda (@kharbanda_kritika ) on the impact she’d like to have and what success in that looks like. Full interview in our bio, as told to @julia.gamolina . Pictured here: 1. One Boston Wharf, Boston. Photography by Peter Vanderwarker. 2. Downsview Framework Plan, Toronto, by Henning Larsen. Image courtesy of Aesthetica Studio. 3. Farm to home. Photography by Eugene Chang. #madamearchitect #henninglarsen #architecture #climate #sustainability

Kritika Kharbanda (@kharbanda_kritika ) is the Head of Sustainability at @henninglarsenarchitects . Together with leading the global sustainability team, she develops scalable and implementable solutions across varied project scales to achieve environmental and social impact. With a masters specializing in Energy and Environment from @harvardgsd , Kritika was also a Social Innovation Fellow at @harvardkennedyschool . For our last interview in April celebrating #EarthMonth, Kritika talks to Julia Gamolina (@julia.gamolina ) about priorities, champions, and responsible architecture. Link in our bio. Pictured here: 1. Kritika by Ashok Verma. 2-3. KlimaKover Cooling Shelter. Photography by Erick Reifer Marchak. #madamearchitect #henninglarsen #sustainability #climate

This month, spend a day in the Hudson Valley with Dena Prastos, the founder of @indigo_river_ , a women-owned transdisciplinary design firm. A leading authority in the New York Harbor, Indigo River focuses on progressive waterfront architecture, resiliency, and climate adaptation solutions that seamlessly transcend boundaries. Waterfront architect, civil engineer, futurist, climate adaptation expert, and entrepreneur, Dena is driven to transform the built world at the water’s edge. She is fueled by the overlapping of design, technology, community and nature. Her day involves walks along the Hudson River, planning for her second maternity leave, and her two pups Indigo and Houdini. Link in our bio! Pictured here, all courtesy of Dena: 1. Dena on site 2. Sunrise on the Hudson 3. Mom time 4. Walks along the river 5. Indigo and Houdini! #madamearchitect #dayinthelife #indigoriver #waterfront #climateaction

The Beverly Willis Foundation (@bwaf.nyc ) has been advocating for gender equity in leadership and recognition in the built world for decades, so their recognition for Media Engagement is especially meaningful to me! Thanks so much to the BWF team and board, and to my fellow honorees, all amazing people leading by example: Sharon Prince, founder of @gracefarmsct and @dffmovement ; Amale Andraos of @work.ac and @columbiagsapp ; Erleen Hatfield of @hatfield_grp ; David J. Cohen of @theigracecompany ; and Tess McNamara of @theportauthority_ny_nj . Such a pleasure to celebrate with all of those who came to support BWF ✨ All photography by @photosbysamuellahoz , and wearing @anothertomorrow of course.

@_designearth ’s Rania Ghosn (@_rghosn ) on her advice. Full interview in our bio, as told to @julia.gamolina . #madamearchitect #designearth #architecture #leader #mentor