Women’s Work: Meredith Randolph
COURTESY OF FOUR WINDS DESIGN
WHAT IS YOUR JOB AND WHERE DO YOU WORK?
I have my own business offering sustainable architectural design services. My office is on Mount Desert Island.
HOW AND WHY DID YOU GET INTO THIS LINE OF WORK? WHAT INSPIRED YOU?
As a small child, I loved making buildings or rooms out of the unique forms of foam packaging electronics came in. I was always seen as an artist, as I have a strong desire to create, while also being good at math. After going to Cornell University, I took a job drafting, and built my straw bale house. I was fortunate that the beginning of my career coincided with dramatic advancement in the understanding of sustainability and building science and I was able to work on projects and seek out resources to educate myself, as traditional architectural education did not offer this. I am inspired, ironically, by the outdoors.
DID YOUR BACKGROUND AND UPBRINGING IMPACT YOUR CHOICE OF CAREER? AND IF SO, HOW?
My paternal grandmother was a significant influence as she was passionate about many forms of art. She instilled in me a sense of value for art and good design. The environmentalism and appreciation of the wisdom of nature comes from my mother, who was very active in the outdoors and also a biology teacher.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT YOUR JOB? WHAT IS MOST CHALLENGING?
Being paid to use my creativity, solve problems and feeling that my work has a meaningful influence. The most challenging is convincing many builders to adapt to more sustainable approaches and materials.
IN WHAT WAYS IS YOUR INDUSTRY GROWING OR CHANGING IN MAINE?
In a way, Maine is pretty progressive with high performance building and it is certainly growing. It is great working with builders who are excited to have detailed discussions about the relationships of energy and moisture in the building envelope or share experiences with new sustainable products. As the community grows, it is becoming possible just to avoid those who would rather do things the same way they have been since World War II.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS NEEDED TO SUPPORT MORE WOMEN IN THE SUSTAINABLE BUILDING SECTOR?
More smart women in leadership. Integration of a building design is key to sustainable design, and often that means more communication. Women tend to be conditioned to communicate more thoroughly, which can be helpful. I still find I get dramatically more information out of a phone call than an email. I feel women still suffer in the construction industry because of conditioning. There are still so few women in the field. So, you have to overcome the assumption that you don’t really know much on every job site. It is like starting every race 5 minutes late.
DID YOU FEEL LIKE THERE WERE ANY BARRIERS TO ENTRY FOR YOU AS A WOMAN IN YOUR CAREER?
There are constant social pressures for women to take a nurturing roll in their careers. Women are supported for being smart and capable as long as it takes the form of taking care or supporting someone else. I believe there is no such thing as a “male ego.” There is simply human ego, which is supported in men, but unacceptable in woman. I have seen many men have very unprofessional outbursts on jobs and hear afterwards that it just shows he takes pride in his work. There is not the same forgiveness for women. Both can be discouraging to a woman’s pursuit of success.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BIGGEST PRIORITIES, AND/OR OPPORTUNITIES, FOR SUSTAINABLE RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION IN MAINE?
No matter what metrics come out of a project or materials used, an ugly building is not sustainable. Maintenance will always be required for a building to last, so the design needs to appeal to people in the long term, so they are willing to invest in it in the future.
WHEN NOT WORKING, HOW DO YOU LIKE TO SPEND YOUR TIME?
Seeking adventures in the outdoors and travel.
This article appeared in the Fall 2020 edition of Green & Healthy Maine HOMES. Subscribe today!