Impactful Iterations: Architect and Historian Kate Reggev on Broad Interests and Buildings That Contribute Meaningfully

By Julia Gamolina

Kate Reggev is an architect and project manager with a decade of experience in the design, construction, and preservation worlds. She currently manages design and construction projects at Zubatkin Owner Representation, and previously was an Associate at the architecture firm of Beyer Blinder Belle.

Kate also writes for design publications, teaches at Columbia University, and authors a historical column for Madame Architect. Kate holds M. Arch and M.S. in Historic Preservation degrees from Columbia and a B.A. in Architecture, cum laude, from Barnard College.

JG: You focus on historic preservation with both your work and professional practice, and you write on the history of women in architecture for Madame Architect. Given all that you know about the past — what comes to mind for you as you look ahead at the rest of 2024?

KR: I love this question because it brings to the forefront what a professor of mine used to say: that preservationists are actually some of the most forward-looking people, because we are concerned with preserving the past for the future. A few things I’m expecting to hear and learn more about in 2024 — and that have roots in the past — are heavy timber framing, passive heating and cooling strategies, and data tracking with digital twins of existing buildings.

One other thing that I’m really hoping to see and personally work on is creating entire project teams, from community engagement to subconsultants to general contractors and tradespeople, that are more diverse and equitable, and more closely reflect the people they will serve. I know there’s been a lot of DEI efforts at individual firms over the past few years, but as a project manager who looks at an entire project from its very inception through its occupancy and beyond, I’m excited about bringing that mentality to the entire project team.

Let's come back to the beginning now. Why architecture and how did you choose where you studied architecture?

When I first started at Barnard College, a liberal arts school in New York City, I thought I was going to study archaeology. My father is from Israel and my childhood was peppered with trips of wandering historic sites in search of pottery shards and ever-elusive old coins. My last name means “piece of earth” in Hebrew, so it felt like fate! A few classes into the anthropology and archaeology major, though, and I realized it wasn’t for me.

By chance, I took an intro course in architecture. I became fascinated by the way buildings physically embody culture: churches as the central element of European medieval life, Modernism as a rejection of the past, and so on. I then started taking studio-focused classes and found the environment challenging, creative, and invigorating, and loved the combination of history and studio classes.

In my senior year, I took a course across the street at Columbia’s GSAPP that changed the trajectory of my career: “Old Buildings, New Forms,” which is now also a book, taught by architect Francoise Bollack. I saw that it is possible to mix new and old in architecture, and that historic buildings don't have to be relegated to use solely as precedents; they can be transformed, updated, and revived for the present and the future. I learned how to combine the two to create something that was richer than the old or new by themselves.

What did you do when you graduated?

Graduation in the middle of the Great Recession in 2009 meant that entry-level jobs in architecture were tough to come by. I instead made plans to do something completely different: I moved to Spain for two years and taught English in public schools. It was an incredible opportunity to immerse myself in a different culture and language, travel, take a breather from studio life, and reflect on what would come next.

My time abroad confirmed my interest in architecture and historic buildings, and I decided to go back to school for my M. Arch and M.S. in Historic Preservation. I ended up back where I had started, in New York City and at Columbia.

“Two fundamental things I believe in are the power of design to impact how we live, and also that the past is not passed; it’s right here with us and impacts every place and space.”

— Kate Reggev

Now, you are a registered architect, and after having worked for a number of firms, you are now with Zubatkin. Tell me about this.

Right out of school, I wanted to find a job where I could start learning — and paying off my student loans. I worked for a small firm for about a year, and then moved to a medium-sized firm, eventually landing an exciting position at a larger firm, Beyer Blinder Belle (BBB). BBB was looking for someone who was both an architect and a historian, and I was thrilled to be working on projects where I could leverage my preservation background and research skills.

I worked on some incredible projects that really aligned with my core beliefs about architecture and design: historic buildings, especially ones that contribute meaningfully to public space. I spent years working on the New York Public Library building on 42nd and Fifth Avenue, the Frick Collection, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Hispanic Society Museum and Library, and many more.

As time progressed at BBB, I moved more into a leadership and project manager position, and realized that in addition to designing and drawing, I also really enjoyed the organizational and communication aspects of a project, and understanding the project as a whole. When a position opened up at Zubatkin, an owner’s rep firm that works primarily on cultural projects, it felt like a great opportunity.

You also teach and write! How did the focus on both develop?

Barnard was a school that taught me how to think and write, and after I finished graduate school I started writing for a few outlets for some extra money, again, for school loans! Over time, I realized how much I enjoyed it and started writing for publications like Dwell, Architectural Digest, and more — including, of course, for Madame Architect. It’s creative in a different way, and keeps me on my toes, as I’m constantly learning, scouting, evaluating, and trend-spotting.

As for teaching, I started shortly after graduating GSAPP, first in New Jersey at Kean University, then later at GSAPP. I co-teach the Studio I course in the preservation program with renowned New York City architectural historian Andrew Dolkart. It’s one of the foundational building blocks — no pun intended — to the program where students learn the basics of documenting, researching, and advocating for historic buildings. It is always deeply rewarding and inspiring to watch students grow, and brings meaning to my day.

*Architect, Partner, Wife*, a chapter Kate contributed in a book recently published by Rizzoli. Courtesy of Kate Reggev.

Looking back at the entirety of your career so far, what have been the biggest challenges? How did you both manage through perceived disappointments or setbacks?

A big challenge for me has been trying to fit it all in, and accepting the reality that sometimes it’s just not possible. I’m someone who has many interests — in addition to writing and teaching, there’s pottery, vintage furniture scouting, historic research, running, baking . . . oh, and being a mom of two kids under the age of three! It often feels like there just isn’t enough time in the day to do everything I’d like to do.

As a result, I’ve started to focus on what will get me to where I want to be and what will bring me joy, and I try to pare it down from there. Sometimes it involves saying no, and sometimes it means reminding myself of what my priorities are.

What have you also learned in the last six months?

One of my favorite things about my job is that I’m constantly learning, whether it’s about a new project type, the specifics of a project budget or schedule, or even how to communicate with a new client so that they really hear what we’re saying. The role of a project manager can feel really contradictory: you’re often a generalist overseeing the big picture, but you also need to retain a lot of detailed, technical information to then connect it back to the broader project. It’s a skill that takes practice and one that I’m really enjoying honing.

On a personal level, the past six months have been a period of change for me: I became a mom of two. Even though I had already been a parent for nearly three years, there is always something new to learn. There are many aspects I feel more confident in this time around, but also a whole slew of things I’m learning or relearning, or simply trying to accept. Regardless, though, I’ve realized that I’m still hungry for bigger challenges, excited for more self-improvement, and looking forward to what the next years of being a parent will bring.

“The truth is that no one is good at absolutely everything, and the field is so wide and rich with opportunities that can leverage your individual abilities and interests...There is a place for everyone!”

— Kate Reggev

What are you most excited about right now?

I’m super excited about the many discussions happening across the country to reuse existing office spaces for housing. The New York AIA chapter had a one-day symposium on this late last year which brought together the many people it takes to undertake this type of project, from government and policy experts to architects, real estate developers, and affordable housing professionals. It was eye-opening to hear the complexity and multi-faceted nature of this work, and I am confident that despite the many hurdles, this type of adaptive reuse will become increasingly popular.

Who are you admiring now and why?

I’m a big admirer of the multi-disciplinary work of Erica Avrami, a planner, preservationist, and professor at Columbia. Her work focuses on heritage, sustainability, and policy and takes a really hard look at the adage that “the greenest building is the one that already exists.” Long story short, that depends!

I’m also constantly inspired by all the women interviewed here on MA. Honestly, there is not a single interview that I have read where I have not come away feeling impressed and motivated by the exciting, meaningful work that women in our field explore and execute.

Outside of our field, I’m a huge podcast nerd, and I love listening to just about everything that comes out of Harvard Business Review, especially their Women at Work podcast and Coaching Real Leaders with Muriel Wilkins. These two podcasts in particular manage to address workplace issues, especially ones for women, with a “special sauce” that combines empathy, strategy, and hard data.

Finally, I’m also really admiring the work of economist Emily Oster, who has brought data-driven parenting decisions to the masses. I admire not only the actual work she does, which is informative, helpful, and always even-keeled, and also the way she has turned her expertise into what I think must be an excellent business. I love the content, and I love the hustle!

Speaking on a panel at Marvel Architects. Courtesy of Marvel.

What is the impact you’d like to have on the world? What is your core mission? And what does success in that look like to you?

Broadly speaking, I’d like to improve the world with buildings that contribute meaningfully to public space, both old and new. Two fundamental things I believe in are the power of design to impact how we live, and also that the past is not passed; it’s right here with us and impacts every place and space. I’m passionate about projects, especially cultural and institutional ones, that take existing buildings and bring them to their fullest, most impactful, and equitable iteration, and there is so much potential out there.

I’d also like to be an inspiring and creative leader and manager; an effective mentor, educator, and advisor to those in the field; a loving and empathetic mom and partner; and a thoughtful, compassionate friend. And I’d love to do all those things with grace, humor, and humility. That would be success. Piece of cake, right?!

Finally, what advice do you have for those starting their career? Would your advice be any different for women?

Learn, learn, learn, and let that help you figure out what you’re passionate about. And it’s okay if that is outside the bounds of traditional architecture! The truth is that no one is good at absolutely everything, and the field is so wide and rich with opportunities that can leverage your individual abilities and interests. I know architects who have gone into accounting, tech, user experience work, policy, and more. There is a place for everyone!

My advice is not meaningfully different for women, but I would encourage women, specifically, to advocate for themselves. I used to think that producing good work and working hard would get me where I wanted to go — and it turns out that raising my hand, speaking up, and making sure I was noticed was just as important.