Aimee Eckmann, FAIA, ALEP, LEED AP, is the Firmwide PreK-12 Practice Leader at Perkins&Will, based in Chicago. She is a member of the EDmarket Architect & Design Council and has been actively involved in A4LE for many years, currently serving as the Midwest Great Lakes Director on the A4LE Global Board. As a member leader in both organizations that are merging over the next 12 months, Aimee offers a unique perspective.
How did you get started in architecture and how has your career progressed?
After graduate school, I started at Perkins&Will — my dream job. Nearly 27 years later, it still is. At the entry level, I worked on a wide range of project types, wherever I was needed. A couple years in, I worked on my first school project. My mentors gave me opportunities to be in front of clients, lead user engagement, and participate in planning and design.
With my passion for planning, I was able to quickly iterate with our Design Principals, which led to my involvement on nearly every school project over the years. I learned the nuances of programming and planning PreK–12 schools by working closely with colleagues and users, eventually growing into project and team leadership roles.
While my role has evolved from Architect I to Firmwide PreK–12 Practice Leader, I still love the complexity of programming, planning, and designing schools — doing my best to ensure every user gets the spaces they deserve within the constraints of each project.
What do you like best about the educational facilities/products industry?
Designing spaces that support teaching and learning is incredibly rewarding. I believe there are no better clients than educators, administrators, and students. The facilities we create in partnership with them impact their communities for decades. For many stakeholders, an education project is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it’s exciting to be part of something with such lasting impact.
What are you most proud of?
From a career perspective, I am most proud of the connections and relationships I’ve built across the globe — and of discovering how often we are connected in surprising ways. Many clients and colleagues have become good friends over the years. From a personal perspective, I am proud to be the mom of a pretty amazing eighth grader.
What are your thoughts on the A4LE merger?
I am excited to see these two like-minded organizations come together. Each brings unique strengths, and as a merged organization, those strengths will multiply. Members who were active in both organizations can now focus their energy in one place, while members unique to each organization will benefit from a broader range of resources and perspectives. With both organizations representing the full education market, the merged organization will naturally become more diverse, with expanded opportunities and greater impact.
How has EDmarket/A4LE helped you achieve your professional goals?
Throughout my career, I’ve believed that you get out of volunteer roles what you put into them. Over many years, involvement in both organizations has connected me with friends and colleagues who share a passion for education. As a young architect, these organizations helped me build confidence in my knowledge of educational design. They continue to provide opportunities to meet new people, share ideas, and learn from others.
Throughout my career, I’ve believed that you get out of volunteer roles what you put into them.
What advice would you give others in our industry?
The average person spends about a third of their life working, so I believe it’s important to find joy in what you do. As leaders, we have a responsibility to create that sense of joy and purpose for our teams. Early in my career, I learned that approaching new assignments with curiosity and a willingness to say yes creates momentum, builds confidence, and opens doors you may not have even known existed.