Betsy Cooke RA

I’m from  Cambridge, MA.

My education  BA, University of Vermont; M.Arch, Boston Architectural College

Why PCA?  The team. A remarkable group of people, striving to do better, learning more and getting creative every single day. I'm regularly inspired by our team and feel lucky to be a part of it.

My earliest design memory  My grandfather was an architect. He had a studio and taught me how to draft, freehand sketch and about basic design proportions. He loved the technical aspect of design, but was also a devoted watercolor artist, and I loved that he believed architecture was the marriage of art and techinical skill. It has always stuck with me.

A project I’m proud of  Everleigh, the first large development I worked on from start to finish on Cape Cod. It taught me so much over nearly four years. Also, McElwain School and Apartments (still in development) — it's got a Passive House and historic building in the same development.

A space that has affected me  The MIT Chapel by Eero Saarinen. Also, my parents' traditional home on Cape Cod.

My favorite aspect of working with clients is  building trust, developing rapport and making sure they know I'm doing whatever I can to deliver a strong end product.

Building or place I wish I designed  The High Line in NYC, and several of the buildings along it. It is a genius use of existing infrastructure, and provides so many small and playful vignettes throughout the experience of walking it.

The most inspiring part of my job is  watching collaborative efforts and ideals come to life in our projects, and helping to develop more affordable housing in a market that desperately needs it. Seeing the final product come together — hopefully as you had designed and envisioned — is also always really exciting.

When I’m not working you can find me  with my husband and daughter, out for a run or at yoga.

Coffee or tea?  Too much coffee

If I were a Pantone swatch, my color would be  19-4029 — Navy Peony.