Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hande Obuz. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hande, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?
Mixed-use developments have been a popular trend in the architecture industry for several years now, but in 2023, they have taken on even greater significance in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. These developments are designed to offer a wide range of uses and activities within a single space, such as residential, office, hotel and retail spaces. The idea is to create a vibrant and dynamic environment that can accommodate the needs of a variety of different users, while also promoting social interaction and community building.
One of the key drivers of the popularity of mixed-use developments is the need for flexibility and adaptability. Buildings and spaces need to be able to adapt quickly and easily to changing circumstances in order to remain viable and useful.
Flexibility in mixed-use developments refers to the ability of a building or space to adapt to different uses and activities over time. This means that a building can be designed and constructed in such a way that it can easily be converted from one use to another, without requiring significant modifications or renovations. The best approach is to design the building with flexible floor plans and layouts so that different spaces can be easily reconfigured or repurposed. For example, a space that is currently being used as a retail store could be converted into a restaurant or office space with minimal changes to the overall layout. In order to make these kinds of conversions possible, mixed-use developments must also be designed with the necessary infrastructure in place. This could include things like plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems that are easily adaptable to different uses and activities.
By designing buildings and spaces that can easily switch between different uses, developers can ensure that their projects remain relevant and in demand for years to come.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I was born and raised in Turkey where I received my Bachelor’s in Architecture from the Dokuz Eylul University. After graduating in 1998, I met my husband and I moved to Charleston, South Carolina, where he was residing at the time. I worked as an architect on several residential and commercial projects in the city’s historic district before moving to Washington, D.C., in 2005. I continued to design and manage residential projects throughout D.C. and Maryland and thereafter, I gave birth to my twin daughters which changed the trajectory of our lives and priorities. I worked part-time and took care of my kids while at the same time I became LEED AP certified and licensed architect. In 2012, we got an opportunity to go back to Turkey and I started working as an architecture and planning director for Servotel Corporation in Istanbul focusing on luxury condominium and hospitality projects. I was fortunate to be part of various architecture and developer teams creating exciting projects throughout Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Montenegro such as Mandarin Oriental Bosporus, JW Marriott Hotel Istanbul Marmara Sea, Swissotel Resort Bodrum Hill and Bodrum Beach, and The Bodrum Edition. In 2017, we moved to Miami and I joined Stantec as a senior architect and in 2022, I was promoted to principal.
Stantec is a global design firm comprised of 26,000 employees working in over 350 locations across six continents. Our strength is in our multi-disciplinary depth and international breadth, characterized by strong individual practitioners, with roots in local communities.
Stantec’s Miami studio provides integrated architecture, engineering, and interior design services for multifamily, hospitality and commercial projects. Our team has worked on a number of iconic projects in South Florida, including The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Miami Beach, Bezel at Miami Worldcenter, Strata Wynwood, Solitair Brickell, YOTELPad Miami, and the Broward County Convention Center & Headquarters Hotel.
With thirteen offices in Florida providing a variety of design services, our Miami studio of 77 architects, interior designers and engineers lead our mixed-use sector. As a hub office for mixed-use and residential high-rise design, the Miami studio offers expertise locally which is often called in for expertise nationally.
We have strong relationships with the City of Miami and other local agencies and jurisdictions which helps us bring projects to market efficiently.
We’re currently working on three mixed-use residential projects that will transform an entire city block in Miami’s popular Edgewater district. The development will consist of a total of five different towers, an office building, a waterfront restaurant, a plaza, retail spaces, and many other amenities.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
There are two books that have impacted my entrepreneurial thinking:
Innovation by Design: How Any Organization Can Leverage Design Thinking to Produce Change, Drive New Ideas, and Deliver Meaningful Solutions by Thomas Lockwood and Edgar Papke
The Business of Design by Keith Granet
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Prior to working at Stantec, I had to move back and forth from two different continents. It was often challenging to communicate design ideas across multiple languages, and there were also cultural expectations regarding design and work culture that did not always align with my tastes, training, or experiences. In the end, all of these experiences, the people I met, and the cities I lived in made me who I am today.
As I adapted to a new culture of living in the U.S., I had my twin daughters who were a wonderful gift of life. I managed to continue my career and obtain my architecture license while raising two kids. Being a working mother is challenging but it’s also very rewarding.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stantec.com/en
- Instagram: @stantec
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StantecInc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/handeobuz/
- Twitter: @stantec