AMBER CHARLES
Portrait courtesy of Amber Charles.
Bachelor of Science – Building Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ‘10
Project Manager, MCG Architecture
Amber is a project manager in the Orange County area that focuses on the retail/commercial sector. Born and raised in the Los Angeles area, she moved to upstate New York to study architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. After graduating in 2010, she moved back to southern California and now works at MCG Architecture in Irvine, CA. The firm’s portfolio includes retail, residential, and mixed-use projects all across the country.
She is currently studying for the licensing exams. However, in her free time, Amber loves nature photography. Exploring botanical gardens has been a great stress reliever over the past few years.
Like Father, Like Daughter
What inspired you to pursue architecture?
I’ve known that I wanted to be an Architect since about the 2nd grade. I was truly blessed because my father introduced the field of architecture to me at an early age. My father is an Architect. And when I was little, he would bring home plans, and I thought it was the most exciting thing in the world. Over the years, he would let me work in his office to gain experience. He never pushed me to follow in his footsteps, which helped me to fall in love with architecture even more because he didn’t force it.
Now what has kept me interested in architecture is the process of architecture itself. Going from concept design to seeing a building form in the built environment is amazing. Seeing the finished product makes all the headaches from city building departments or general contractors worth it.
Father and daughter duo. Photo courtesy of Amber Charles.
Worked on project at K. L. Charles Architects, Inc. Photo courtesy of Amber Charles.
What is the most important thing that you learned in the past year?
The importance of family. With everything going on this year, I’ve been reminded just how important family is to me. We’ve always been close, but the ups and downs of this year have truly brought us even closer. We may not be perfect, and we may not always get along, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything.
Amber and her mother and sister. Photo courtesy of Amber Charles.
What are some architectural organizations (or specific person/role model) that helped you learn to overcome an obstacle? How did they?
My father has taught me a lot about overcoming obstacles within the field of architecture and in life in general. He grew up in South Central Los Angeles, but he didn’t let that stop him from dreaming big. After attending college at SCI-Arc, he worked at an architectural firm while studying for the ARE. While there might not have been too many fellow Architects that looked like him, my father pushed forward and created great relationships with clients. After a few years, he decided to use the excellent reputation he made for himself and opened his architectural firm. The company grew to include about 20+ employees and worked for some of the top grocery/retail chains before closing its doors due to the 2008 recession. Even with this setback, my father is still practicing architecture, and I work with him at MCG Architecture. My father is the senior director of the team I work on. People always ask me how it is working with my dad on a day-to-day basis, and I must admit that I honestly love it. We do not always see eye-to-eye; however, I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor.
This year, my father is showing me how to overcome obstacles once again. He is currently battling prostate cancer, but he’s not letting it stop his love of architecture. He has continued to work through all of the treatments, showing once again his determination.
Amber’s father working at his drafting desk. Photo courtesy of Amber Charles.
Amber’s father at a job site. Photo courtesy of Amber Charles.
If you were given the opportunity to repeat the year, what is one thing you’d do differently?
If given the chance, one thing I would’ve done differently this year is to enjoy more adventures out in nature. I love going on hikes, but I did not take advantage as much as I could’ve this year. Between added stress from work and the pandemic, making sure to focus on mental and emotional health is very important.
Amber on a hike in Orange County, CA. Photo courtesy of Amber Charles.
As you reflect on the past year, what did you discover as your biggest strengths?
I believe one of my biggest strengths this year has been my ability to stand up for myself and my team during difficult circumstances. A lot of times, because I am a quiet, introverted person, people assume I will not speak up for myself. However, more and more I’ve been able to show that it’s quite the opposite. With everything going on this year, I’ve pushed myself to speak up for myself even more as a Black woman in this white, male dominated field.
Worked on project at K. L. Charles Architects, Inc. (Pavilions – West Hollywood, CA). Photo courtesy of Amber Charles.
In terms of rising concerns and problems (in the architectural profession) over the past year, what is one change that you wished would happen and it did not? This can be in an educational or work atmosphere.
I wish there was more of a push to encourage and support employees on their path to licensure. Between the financial expense and finding time to study, the process can seem daunting.
Design project from Rensselaer. Photo courtesy of Amber Charles.
