Ann E. Casey (MArch/MBA ’14) reflects on balancing the art and business of architecture

“There is almost no typical day,” says the Wendel executive whose roles as project architect, resource manager and Northwest market leader put her all at once in the space of design and project management, client relations, resource management, business development and strategic planning.

Recently named to the “40 Under 40” list by Buffalo Business First, Casey has been on the fast-track since joining the Buffalo-based architecture and engineering firm in 2018.

Bringing both design talent and business acumen to her role, Casey, a registered architect who manages projects across Wendel’s Buffalo, Washington, D.C., and Connecticut offices, says her career path has largely been a natural progression. “My personality leans toward both the technical side and business strategy of architecture. Success in this industry is really about focusing on people and problem solving, from centering client needs to mentoring and supporting staff.”

Such constant attention to relationship and change management also requires a superior ability to “go with the flow.”

Consider Casey’s recent high-profile assignment as the onsite architect for the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, where she served as the local representative for the project’s New York City-based architect-of-record, Cooper Robertson. The $230 million transformation designed by OMA/Shohei Shigematsu refurbished the historic campus and constructed a signature addition, the Gundlach Building.

Some of the more complex aspects of the project included detailing and coordinating placement and structural support for the Italian-manufactured, curved glass sliding doors that greet visitors entering from the parking garage, handling field dimensions for custom millwork throughout the new addition, advising and monitoring the installation of the red oak flooring in the Wilmers and Gundlach buildings, coordinating mechanical and plumbing clashes throughout the addition, reviewing and tweaking lighting, specialty finish, and floor and wall details for consistency and alignment, and advising on accessibility requirements throughout the campus.

“My job was to be on site every day to field questions and issues from contractors. I helped them execute their work by coordinating trades in the field and getting additional information from the BIM model or design team,” she said. “It was truly a lot of relationship management because it was such a high-stress setting.”

Casey says she was ready for the role thanks to her experience as lead architect for M&T Bank’s new tech hub in downtown Buffalo, a project for which Wendel served as architect- and engineer-of-record. “We encountered a lot of constructability hurdles. One of the biggest challenges was the existing space kept changing as we were building due to improvements being made by the developer to the structure’s systems and cores.”

Adaptability is inherent to the field of architecture, notes Casey, who saw first-hand the cyclical nature of the industry. In 2009, at the height of the financial crisis, she and more than 40 of her colleagues at a Washington, D.C., design firm were laid off. It was her first job after earning her undergraduate architecture degree from Catholic University. “Of course, we know the economy is inextricably intertwined with the construction and architecture industry. The pandemic is another milestone occurrence that has impacted our work for the past four years.”

That first experience seemed only to have reinforced Casey’s determination. She immediately began looking for dual degree programs offering the accredited Master of Architecture and professional Master of Business Administration.

“UB was an immediate draw. There are very few MArch/MBA programs available. And the tuition at UB was affordable,” she said.

Casey says the MArch and MBA at UB are complementary and well-organized. “The School of Architecture and Planning and School of Management made me feel welcomed and allowed me to participate equally in both programs. UB invests in the success of its dual-degree students.”

“Not only did I learn how to design, but I learned how to communicate those design decisions,” said Casey, who was part of the first-place team in UB’s 2013 Henry A. Panasci Jr. Technology Entrepreneurship Competition, working with two UB chemistry students to develop a building coating that absorbs sunlight in the winter and reflects it in the summer.

She says the MBA program was key to building her “business vocabulary,” an essential toolkit in the world of architectural project management. “When leaders at Wendel ask about meeting the ‘multiplier’ or ‘utilization rate,’ I know what those terms mean. Also, I understand a client’s business model and can help translate that for our design team so that we can craft environments that support their operational objectives.”

In recent years, Casey has taken her tightrope skills into the realm of community service and volunteer work. She is past board member of the Graycliff Conservancy and has served on the Building and Grounds Committee of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed estate for more than seven years. She is also a committee chair of the Conor J. Casey Foundation and recently joined the DEI Committee of AIA Buffalo/WNY.

“Offering our time and talent is one of the greatest gifts we can contribute to our community. It’s also important to me to set a good example for my children. They know I put in a lot of time and effort into my career, and I want them to see that the same amount of care is important to dedicate to efforts that don’t result in a paycheck.”

The dedicated UB alumnus is also a regular visiting critic to studio reviews at the School of Architecture and Planning. “Every critic or alumnus who comes back to UB offers a unique history of experience. It’s important to connect students to the professional community and, in turn, for employers to see what students are working on.”

Looking ahead, Casey says it will be essential for the industry to attract even more talent as worldwide labor shortages challenge firms large and small. “We see contractors struggling to staff projects. At Wendel, we are seeing gaps in our mid-level architects. This is a stressful field that takes a lot of mental focus and attention to detail. It’s also not as financially rewarding as an engineering role or even construction management or development. I foresee the number of individuals entering the field, becoming licensed and staying the course in the role of ‘architect’ as a risk factor for the profession."

Maintaining her people-centered optimism, Casey continues: “For now, what I can do is continue to mentor our younger staff, encourage students to work toward their professional degrees, and expand my own knowledge to be the best resource possible. There may be no typical day, but there is certainty that challenges arise on every initiative. It’s the collaboration in adapting and creating unique solutions that keep this field interesting."