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Profile: Diane Georgopulos FAIA

by BSA staff / October 12, 2011

Name: Diane Georgopulos FAIA
Job title and company: Architect for MassHousing
Degree(s): MArch from MIT            

What are you working on now?

Affordable housing developments in Allston, Brighton, Jamaica Plain, Boston

How do you explain to your mom what you do for a living?

I tell her I review plans and specifications that developers bring to MassHousing when they want to build or rehabilitate a project for affordable housing.

What inspired you today?

Playful squirrels tumbling over each other

What architectural buzzword would you kill?

Sustainable

When you’re working, do you discuss or exchange ideas with your colleagues?

As often as I can

What are you reading?

Henning Mankell’s Kurt Wallander police mysteries; The Hare with the Amber Eyes by Edmund de Waal; Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

Do you sketch by hand or digitally?

Only by hand

Has your career taken you anywhere you didn't expect?

I am delighted that I got to be involved in so many activities involving terrific, creative, generous people.

Where is the field of architecture headed?

Global firms that operate continuously across many time zones and local firms that work in only one time zone will service the needs of their clients at all scales. Whether a firm survives will depend upon profitability. Beauty will always count.

Can design save the world?

In combination with other things, design is essential to saving the world.

What do you hope to contribute from your work?

Providing people of limited income with better housing

Who or what deserves credit for your success?

Parents who loved me even when I did bad things; teachers who encouraged me to reach higher, work longer, strive harder; friends who make me laugh, especially at myself

Your least favorite college class?

Logic

If you could give the you‐of‐10‐years‐ago advice, what would it be?

Several years ago while listening to NPR on Saturday afternoon, I heard an interview with Warren Buffett’s daughter who was recounting her mother, Suzy’s, 5 Rules for Success: “Be on time. Pay attention. Don’t lie. Do your best. Don’t be attached to the outcome.” I don’t think you can improve on those rules.

Your favorite Boston‐area structure?

The McKim, Mead and White BPL; the Saarinen Chapel at MIT

Who would you like the BSA to interview next?

Betsy Pettit [FAIA, President , Building Science Corporation]

If you were on a late‐night TV show, what would your 30‐second plug be?

Design improves your life by coupling utility and beauty.

If you could sum up your outlook on life in a bumper sticker, what would it say?

The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.