Celebrating Individuality: Marmol Radziner's Stephanie Hobbs on Generosity, Curiosity, and Openness
By Julia Gamolina
Stephanie studied architecture at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and began working at Marmol Radziner shortly after graduation. During her 25-year career there, she has filled almost every job description from Intern through Project Manager. She took a two-year hiatus from 2003 to 2005 in New Zealand where she worked at HMOA Architects. During this time, the two firms collaborated on a project on the South Island of New Zealand.
Now, as Design Principal at Marmol Radziner, Stephanie works closely with partners Ron and Leo to direct and manage the design process at the office. In her interview, Stephanie talks about growing up with and at the practice, constantly learning and paying it forward.
JG: Tell me about your foundational years — where did you grow up and what did you like to do as a kid?
SH: I was born in England and spent my first nine years in a small village about an hour north of London. Our house was built in 1849, had thick stone walls and a thatched roof, and was called Elfin Dell. My sister and I spent a lot of time outside imagining other worlds filled with fairies and wizards and making up songs and games. My grandmother was part of a theater group and my sister and I would always be part of their musical productions.
We moved to Northern California when I started third grade and I then spent most of my time in gymnastics and dance class. I loved being on stage. In my non-performing time I did, of course, build Lego cities, envision Barbie worlds including making their clothes, and other crafty things. I’ve always enjoyed a good jigsaw puzzle.
Brooktree Residence. Natural materials and simple shapes in the oak trees. Photo Credit: Roger Davies.
We’ve had really similar childhoods! Mine was from Siberia to Toronto, but the activities were very similar.
How did you get your start in working in architecture?
I applied to five different universities, all with different majors, so architecture was a bit of an accident for me. Luckily for me it suited my personality and skills, which is an extroverted balance of right- and left-brain functions. I think and communicate visually, but I also love balancing a budget, making lists, and organizing!
Tell me about how you got to Marmol Radziner, and your personal evolution with the practice over the years.
I visited Marmol Radziner on an office tour during my third year of architecture school at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. I basically decided, after this visit, that I wanted to work at this specific office. During this time they were in the midst of a massive restoration of the Kaufmann house in Palms Springs, which to me is the GOAT of residential California Architecture. During the summer after my third year of school I would show up on the weekends and help out as I could. They were very nice to me and let me so some actual work in addition to tagging along on some fun office tours. When I graduated I got in touch with Ron and Leo and convinced them to hire me despite them not really needing anyone of my very limited experience. There were about 10 people working in the office at that time.
With the office being small when I started, everyone really did wear many hats in terms of the architectural process. At the very beginning my tasks included maintaining the office library, which back then consisted of the Sweets Catalogs, putting up new quotes on the marquee sign, and sometimes cleaning the bathroom.
“Success in the first to me means that I keep learning and that I’m always receptive to having my mind opened and perspective adjusted. Success in the second is simply happy clients that come back to us again and again.”
In terms of the actual architecture, I was fortunate that there were some wonderful and generous people at the office who taught me how to do my job, some of whom I am still lucky enough to work with on a daily basis. I got a ton of great experience early on, mostly because I didn’t know what I was doing and I never said no to anything. I really learned to love every part of residential architecture, from the client relationships to writing the specifications.
Over the past twenty-five years I have basically grown up and evolved with the firm. I jokingly call myself the office mascot and historian.
Right — talk about institutional knowledge! Looking back at it all, what have been the biggest challenges?
My biggest challenge has been the relatively recent development of balancing family responsibilities at home with having a career. There are only so many hours in the day!
When you have a young kid and both parents work full time, the family becomes a finely tuned machine of efficiencies. Every piece has to work perfectly at all times or things fall off the rails pretty quickly! Fortunately we both have some flexibility at work which has been key in terms of making everything work. We have both had to learn how to not give 125% at the office because it’s just not possible. For me that means way less travel and being super-efficient with every moment I’m spending in the office. It also means occasionally pulling out the trace paper at home after our son goes to bed.
La Quinta Residence. Entry sequence in a desert landscape, taking you on a more intimate journey before you enter the home and get the giant view of the mountains and golf course beyond. Photo Credit: Roger Davies.
What have you learned in the last six months?
I feel like I learn something new almost every day here at our office because we do so many different things! We are architects, contractors, interior designers, and landscape architects. I’m constantly developing my comprehension of construction methods and learning new plant types. There are also so many interesting people at this office who have fun hobbies and talents to share. I just made plans to try the Japanese dying technique shibori that one colleague got passionate about during the pandemic.
Who are you admiring now and why?
Anyone who has managed to keep it together through Covid and anyone that helped the rest of us keep it together during Covid. Teachers! Nurses!
Design-wise I am dying to visit Adjaye’s museum in D.C. Well, really any of his buildings.
“Your career will develop in time, so don’t rush it. Instead, listen and ask lots of questions. Never stop asking questions. And be willing to fill any and all roles necessary to move your project forward.”
What is your core mission? And what does success in that look like to you?
Wow, honestly my core mission these days is to become a more socially-informed and involved person. Earlier last year I finally got my U.S. citizenship and exercised my right to vote for the first time.
With my work, my mission is to create beautiful, timeless, and distinct designs that celebrate the individuality and needs of each client and site.
Success in the first to me means that I keep learning and that I’m always receptive to having my mind opened and perspective adjusted. Success in the second is simply happy clients that come back to us again and again. On top of that I need to figure out how to put my son through college and retire with enough money to live happily.
Scottsdale Residence. Muted tones and stone in a desert landscape. This house settles so nicely into the landscape and mimics the form of the mountains beyond. Photo Credit: Bill Timmerman.
Finally, what advice do you have for those starting their career? Would your advice be any different for women?
My advice would be to be open to experiences and to not overthink everything. Your career will develop in time, so don’t rush it. Instead, listen and ask lots of questions. Never stop asking questions. And, be willing to fill any and all roles necessary to move your project forward. Learn how to say, “I don’t know,” with confidence. If you say you’re going to follow up on something, follow up. Be generous with your knowledge. My advice is mostly for women, but would be the same for men.