Tamara Silver

“To grow as a designer it was important for me to learn how to let go and trust that I will get to a successful resolution without knowing what that might be at the start. I’ve most certainly used this lesson throughout my career, and pretty much every day.”

#WomenWhoBuild meet Tamara Silver,

Tamara is a Partner at ROART, a full-service architectural firm based in NYC. Tamara started her career at ROART eight years ago and has grown professionally at the firm from a Junior Architect to a Partner. We sat down with Tamara to discuss her journey in Architecture, how her time at Pratt Institute of Architecture impacted the trajectory of her career, her signature on each project that she works on, and her advice for women entering the field.

Tell us a little bit about your journey in Architecture? What inspired you to pursue it as a career?

My journey in Architecture started back in high school when I was working as the lead merchandiser for a chain of gourmet food and houseware stores in Connecticut. That’s where I started using my creativity to explore building things. I loved compiling non-traditional objects, like jars of mustard and jam, into artistic visual displays. That’s when I realized how much I enjoyed arranging just about anything into a composition. This experience is what motivated me to go to art school, and I enrolled in a small Visual Arts college outside the Boston area where I studied merchandising and interior design. While that was a fulfilling experience, I eventually realized my passion for large scale, built environments and became interested in studying both interior design and architecture. This led me to transfer to Pratt and after graduating I worked for an interior design firm for several years before moving to ROART.

You graduated from the Pratt Institute School of Architecture, what did you learn about yourself in your studies?

Pratt was an amazing place to go to school, the campus was very inspiring. My experience was a little different than most, mainly because I attended Pratt in my late 20’s/early 30’s. I had been working for almost 10 years prior to starting there so I had a very practical perspective at that point. The school, my professors, and fellow peers really opened my eyes to the conceptual side of how to approach design. There I learned that I’m an intuitive designer, but also very pragmatic. However, to grow as a designer it was important for me to learn how to let go and trust that I will get to a successful resolution without knowing what that might be at the start. I’ve most certainly used this lesson throughout my career, and pretty much every day. I also learned the value of trusting myself and the process and having confidence that I will find a resolution as I move through the steps when I believe in myself. 

What does your day to day look like in your current role?

I always give myself extra time in the morning to enjoy my coffee and watch the news before heading to the office.  I also commute from Connecticut to New York City via Metro North and use that hour and a half as found time instead of lost. During my commute I organize the day ahead by prioritizing tasks for myself and for our staff. As a Partner at a boutique firm, every day is different.  My week typically involves a number of site visits, as well as several hours of construction and practice management. More specifically, I’m out in the field about two days a week and in the office working on project contracts, budgets, staffing plans and meeting with clients about three days a week. 

How could you define your architectural approach?

The start of every project begins with the client. We always meet in person, although for a while it was via Zoom, but we are gladly back to face-to-face meetings these days. In the initial phase, it’s important to be a good listener. Begin with understanding their desires, draw on inspiration and then develop your own ideas from there. Start with several ideas and know when to let one go. I am always checking back in with myself to make sure the clients initial desires are not lost throughout the process.  

You started off as a student of Ran Oron, founder of ROART, and have come full circle, as a partner of the firm. Can you describe the evolution of you and your work from when you began until today?

When I started at ROART, as an Architectural Designer, I worked on redlines and schematic design iterations with Ran for new projects coming in. Shortly after I started, the developer we were working with at the time purchased several empty lots in Brooklyn, NY.  We were contracted to design ground up, new construction multifamily buildings for all their new properties, which was very exciting. It was also an incredible learning experience from a practical sense. As a young aspiring Architect, I had the opportunity to work alongside our Principal Architect on the zoning text, building code, and the permitting process within the NYC Building Department for all these properties.  From there, as the years progressed, I took on more and more responsibilities within the firm. Ran and I quickly learned that we made a good team, he starts with a conceptual vision and I make it into a reality.  So, in a sense I really have come full circle, starting my journey at Pratt using a rational approach, studying and applying a more conceptual point of view to enhance my skills and then applying everything I have learned to succeed in this industry. 

“The Architecture community, especially in New York, has a strong female presence, with access to so many great resources and outlets. My advice for women in the field is to use them. Go out, listen to and participate in the lectures, attend the events and talk to other women in the field. ”

What is your signature on your projects? What are you paying attention to make your projects unique?

One of the strengths I have developed over the years is my ability to turn a limitation or obstacle into an opportunity. Whether it is a budget issue, an unexpected find during construction or a proposed challenge within the building code. My approach is to use each problem as a way to develop the project into an even better end result. At 67 Remsen Street in Brooklyn Heights the open staircase exceeded the minimum number of stories to qualify as a residential non-rated staircase, therefore we had to treat it as a fire stair you would more commonly find in a multi-story commercial building.  This posed both an aesthetic and a budget challenge. After exploring several options, I came up with the idea to use a linear steel structure for the staircase which we then cladded with metal studs and fire-rated sheetrock to achieve the curved shape we wanted.

The gentle curves and simple lines of the staircase represent the signature of my own approach to design and that of our firm in general.  The overall transformation at Remsen Street is a blend of minimalism and functionality along with the use of natural materials incorporated into light airy spaces.

I carried this approach into a landmarked conversion in Tribeca, located at 66 Reade Street, we are currently working on as well. This is another one of my favorite projects that exemplifies both my gentle and relatable design signatures. I used a palette of neutral tones and natural materials to complement the existing architectural details within the building. Similar to Remsen Street, at 66 Reade we were dealing with a building that is over 100 years old.  As we peeled back the layers and uncovered the original architectural details, we found opportunities to enhance the space by restoring the old wood beams and cast iron columns and incorporating them into our design.

What has been your favorite project so far?

I can definitely say my favorite part of each project is the relationship I cultivate with the client. It has always been important to me to maintain a level of respect between myself and the client and not be afraid to show authenticity.  Let them really get to know me and vice versa. However, if I had to pick one specific project that’s my favorite to design and develop, it would be 67 Remsen Street.  Located in the historic Brooklyn Heights neighborhood the building started as 10 studio apartments and we converted the property into a 6,000 square foot, six-story, single family townhome with four bedrooms and seven bathrooms.  We lowered the foundation, added a commercial elevator which has direct access to all levels including the rooftop, a bulkhead and an open staircase that reaches from the below grade level to the sixth floor. For this, I worked as the Project Architect every step of the way, from the schematic design phase through all elements of navigating the New York agencies including Landmarks, up until the Certificate of Occupancy. 

What is the most important key to a successful project?

The key to a successful project: communication and time management. This includes creating a critical path and establishing mutual respect. I treat all project partners and colleagues with the same respect I want in return. It’s equally important to make a conscious effort to stay positive, work hard for all parties involved, and to be sincere while remaining friendly and professional. Mutual respect can go a long way, and when something is needed in a pinch, you will have the ability and resources to ask for it because throughout the course of a project, you’ve shown others that same kindness and consideration. This can be key in delivering a successful project, especially in a city like New York where the pace is so fast, and challenges are steep. 

Looking back, what have been the biggest challenges? How did you manage through any setbacks or obstacles?

Looking back, I’ve learned valuable lessons on every project and try to carry those with me through everything else I do. In my early days with Ran I remember having this feeling that I wasn’t experienced enough to be managing the work and I asked him, “What if I make a mistake?” He told me, “You will make a mistake…but that’s OK, we will learn from it.”  The New York City government agencies and commissions can be incredibly challenging to navigate and manage at times. However, the setbacks have been some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned while working with those departments and ultimately contributed to our success. 

What is your advice for women entering the field?

The Architecture community, especially in New York, has a strong female presence, with access to so many great resources and outlets. My advice for women in the field is to use them. Go out, listen to and participate in the lectures, attend the events and talk to other women in the field.

While the industry is certainly improving, we still need to fight through the biases and presumptions we face as women. I’ve often been mistaken for the assistant instead of being the boss, and I’ve had to point that out. Even though it’s not usually intentional, it’s important for us to take the extra step in these situations to assert ourselves and inform people of our role.

Confidence is key but so is knowing that we all learn and grow throughout the course of our entire careers. Be open to hearing about the journey of others.

Interview By: Dahlia Ali