Agile and Unhindered: Yellow House Architects' Elizabeth Graziolo on Working All Over the World and Venturing Off on Her Own
By Julia Gamolina
Elizabeth Graziolo is the award-winning founder and principal of Yellow House Architects in New York City, a collaborative-minded practice specializing in residential and commercial work. Prior to founding YHA, she was a partner at Peter Pennoyer Architects where she directed projects ranging from private homes to developments in the United States and abroad. Recent work includes a townhouse and mixed-use condominium on the Upper East Side, a private estate in the Midwest, an apartment at the Woolworth Tower, and a house renovation and addition in Turks and Caicos.
Elizabeth is a trustee of The Museum of the City of New York and The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science & Art, and serves on the Delano & Aldrich/Emerson Fellowship Committee of the American Institute of Architects. The Museum of the City of New York has honored Elizabeth with their “City of Design Award”. She is a registered architect in the States of New York and Michigan and is a longstanding member of the American Institute of Architects. Elizabeth received her Bachelor of Architecture from The Cooper Union. In her interview with Julia, Elizabeth talks about the training and mentorship she received in unexpected styles and going off on her own, advising young architects to seek a broad range of experiences.
JG: How did your interest in architecture first develop? What did you learn about yourself in studying it?
EG: When I was young I wasn’t sure of what I wanted to study or what career I wanted to pursue. I was interested in art, math, and science. I applied to different universities for different fields and I ended up studying architecture because I was accepted into Cooper Union.
I fell in love with architecture after my first semester. Architecture fed my curious nature. I learned how to see the world a different way, how architecture was all around us and how it has an extraordinary impact on our lives, our health and economies. The more I learned about the field, the more I was engaged, and I never looked back.
How did you get your start in the field?
After I graduated, I worked at Cicognani Kalla Architects under Ann Kalla, a great architect and early mentor. Ann played a big role in my formative years, shaping my understanding of designing for the real world, while preparing me for what a woman architect might expect in this profession.
FIrst day in the office with Yellow House Architects
Walk me through your career steps chronologically, focusing on significant moments and key milestones.
I worked at CKA for three years straight out of college. This is where I cut my teeth on various residential projects; from ground up houses in the Hamptons to apartment renovations in New York City. I learned a lot while working there, but honestly the office hours were so long I couldn’t study for my license and confer my degree to officially call myself an architect. So, after completing the required three years of training, I left to join Peter Pennoyer Architects. It’s not like the hours there were soft, but there was time to study after the work day was over. I received my licensed within the first year of joining PPA.
PPA's practice was geared much more towards Classical architecture, which was a different language for me. I found a new mentor in Gregory Gilmartin, the firm's Director of Design, who taught me traditional design principles such as symmetry and proportion. He also educated me about the origins of design elements from various cities and regions around the world. We often took trips to different countries to see great examples of classical architectural conventions.
In 2007 I made Partner at PPA and worked on a wider range of projects, both in the United States and abroad, from new private houses, townhouse reconstructions, and residential developments. Working in China was an experienced, I have got so many stories! However, after twenty years at PPA, I felt that it was time for me to venture out and create something new. Earlier this year I started my own practice, Yellow House Architects, right in time for the global pandemic!
“Architecture fed my curious nature. I learned how...it has an extraordinary impact on our lives, our health and economies. ”
Why did you start your own firm, and where are you in your career today?
My goal is to create a firm which fosters collaboration, to create great architecture arising from different and fresh ideas. In spite of COVID-19 and after a few months we have a nice stable of projects, and a team of all types of great people from all corners of the globe. In the coming years I hope to grow the firm and show that a woman-owned practice, a woman of color-owned practice to be more specific, is something young woman architects can dream of accomplishing themselves.
Looking back at it all, what have been the biggest challenges?
There have definitely been a few challenges in my career, especially when it came to balancing motherhood and working full-time. Holding an infant while reviewing drawings is one such learned skill! The hardest challenge I faced, by far, was making the recent decision to leave a great firm after many years, and venture out on my own.
After two decades at Peter Pennoyer Architects I had worked on a wide variety of projects and felt very comfortable with the body of work I had produced. Comfort can lead to complacency though, and that’s not me…I’m always looking for the next challenge. I needed to find out what it would be like to reach a higher level in my career, and the normal progression from partner is to run one's own firm. Don’t get me wrong, I thought about it for quite awhile, but finally decided to take the plunge. It was definitely a hard decision, but I did not want to wake up twenty years from now and wonder "what if”. We only live once, I’m going to make it count!
Dining Room Ceiling Study by YHA.
What have been the highlights?
None of my achievements would have been possible without Cooper Union, I owe a lifetime debt of gratitude to the existence of this amazing institution. Being accepted into their Architecture program is highlight numero uno.
Receiving my license was definitely one of my first as well. I remember the feeling after I completed my last exam and that simple, unforgettable message “you passed” - cheering was definitely involved.
Working on my first townhouse project was another highlight. I know it sounds silly, but I was excited to be challenged to do something I had no experience in. Completing the project is still a memory I hold onto with great affection. Making partner in my early thirties was very exciting - once again, cheering was definitely involved.
When we were awarded the work in Asia, once again I found myself facing a type project I was not well-versed in, but I was thrilled to have the opportunity to work on something very different. And because everyone likes to know what they are doing is appreciated, every time we received an award was definitely a highlight. When I received the City of Design Award from the Museum of the City of NY, I had an immense feeling of accomplishment, it felt fantastic. My most recent highlight and my biggest of course, is starting my own practice.
“After many years of practicing architecture in a structured way...I would love to explore the idea of working differently, fostering a place where avid learners and thinkers share diverse points of view.”
Who are you admiring right now and why?
I have always admired the work of Anabelle Selldorf, I like the range of projects her firm works on. I also hold in high regard my longtime friend Anik Pearson, principal of Anik Pearson Architects. I admire her intelligence, and I respect her work and the office culture she has cultivated.
What is the impact you’d like to have in the world? What is your core mission?
That is a great and intimidating question! World?! At the end of the day, similar to many architects, I would love to create beautiful and interesting spaces that people can enjoy. My goal is for Yellow House to create spaces that inspires and influences people for generations.
After many years of practicing architecture in a structured way, which was great because it instilled a solid foundation, I would love to explore the idea of working differently, fostering a place where avid learners and thinkers share diverse points of view. I think a new company, agile and unhindered, has the opportunity to react and combine the old and the new in unexpected ways. A space which encourages collaboration and creative expression, spoken in the language of architecture.
Along the way, I want to create and participate in mentorship programs to help the next generation. Civic involvement is also high on my list of priorities, which I think of not only as a way to give back, but also a way to keep learning and growing as an individual and artist.
Liz, in and around her favorite color.
Finally, what advice do you have for those starting their career? Would your advice be any different for women?
Architecture is a very rewarding field but you have to work very hard. If you want to succeed and also set yourself apart from your colleagues, seek a mentor, ask a million questions, and try to learn about a wide range of topics, as the broader your experiences are, the more you can use them as inspiration for your work.
To all women out there: be prepared to work twice as hard to gain respect and trust from your colleagues, employers, and even at times, your clients, at least until the world catches up with the way things should be. I hope with the revitalized movement focusing on women, this will be sooner than later!