Sophie Wilkinson
“I love everything about the real estate industry: the energy and pace, the team work, the tangible and sensory experience of a building site, the pursuit of a shared final product, the impact real estate has on people and society.”
Photo Credit: Daniel Halasz
WomenWhoBuild, Meet Sophie Wilkinson!
Sophie’s list of accomplishments is incredibly impressive. Prior to her role as the Head of Design and Construction of Common Co-Living, Sophie led the construction of projects all around the world, including Apple’s New York Upper East Side Flagship store and The Darling Hotel’s penthouse suites in Sydney, Australia, just to name a few. Joining Common in its founding year, Sophie has overseen the design and construction of 650 rooms in a 20 building portfolio, as well as managed a team of experts in the field.
She sat down with ArchNative (virtually) to discuss her journey in Real Estate, how she approaches each unique project, and what her advice is for women who are looking to get their footing in the industry.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey in Real Estate?
I would describe myself as determined, ambitious, hard working and as a leader. I am university educated in architecture, business and project management. My father is an architect and I grew up in homes that my parents built together. The scent of sawdust reminds me of my childhood, and something was always under construction, but I’ve lived in beautiful buildings. I went to Architecture School, worked as an architect and then entered the world of construction management. I love construction and know that design is inhibited without a good understanding of build-ability. After managing a number of world class fitouts from Sydney to New York (flagship stores for Apple and Harman Kardon, penthouse suites for Star), I joined a real estate start up called Common. Common is the industry leader in the coliving asset class and a world class property operator. Joining them in their earliest days allowed me to put architecture and design at the forefront on the company’s brand and strategy.
What was your first introduction to the field?
It would have to be at the age of 3. My dad lectures at The University of Adelaide and loves to show a home movie he has of me as a toddler. In the film he asks the 3 year old me: “where should the living room be Sophie?” Delighted, I responded “here, in the sun!”. I still believe that designing for sunlight is one of the most important things a good designer will do.
What about the industry enticed you to make it your career?
I love everything about the real estate industry: the energy and pace, the team work, the tangible and sensory experience of a building site, the pursuit of a shared final product, the impact real estate has on people and society.
What has been your biggest challenge in your career?
I’ve encountered subtle bias as well as blatant sexism, and I’ve run extraordinarily complex and challenging projects from a design and construction point of view. Being a founding team member at Common (now over 200 employees) was as challenging as it was brilliant, pushing my problem solving and creativity into a new realm. I’d say the transition from being a “maker” to a “manager” and then executive was a big step, especially coming from such a tactical industry. Being a great manager is extraordinarily difficult and highly impactful. I think it can be underestimated.
Can you tell us the process behind what you designed. How do you approach each project?
For me, design is the solving of a problem within parameters, shared with that “look around a breath it in” impact that a physical space has on the soul. I approach each project by getting clarity on the parameters (there is always more at play than is listed the brief) - discovering that is step one. Step two is defining how someone should feel in the space: excited, relaxed, motivated, nervous?
What is one piece of advice you have for women entering the field?
I have three: know your project, unfortunately it is likely you will be second guessed more than your male peers, so prepare accordingly; get dusty and always get up on the ladder - go to the site and understand it for yourself; and enjoy, design and real estate is a fantastic industry and a rewarding career. As a women I’ve used skills that are considered more “feminine” as much as any others to success.