Entering Architecture...Stage Left

With a background in musical theater and nearly a decade of experience in the performing arts, Shelby found her way to the industry unexpectedly.

While actively working on stage, Shelby took an administrative position at an architecture firm between performance schedules, looking for stability without expecting much more. What she found instead was a lifelong passion. 

"I didn't know much about the industry at all, but it didn't take long to realize that architecture is ultimately where I'm supposed to be,” Shelby recalls. 

It was the impact the built environment has on people everyday that drew her to the industry. People spend the vast majority of their lives inside buildings—working, resting, connecting—and Shelby felt the weight of that early on. 

"Creating healthier, better buildings feels like my way of making a positive impact," Shelby says. "I love seeing a project I've worked on come to life."
 

From the Stage to the Page

When the opportunity at Kirksey came along, it wasn't just another role. It was a chance to build something entirely new at the firm. Before she joined Kirksey, there had never been a dedicated Specification Writer, so Shelby was brought in to manage the firm's project specifications, creating a new process from the ground up. One of the most fulfilling aspects of her role at Kirksey has been the opportunity to work within a large firm that uses its resources to stay nimble and efficient, much like a smaller firm. This flexibility allows project teams to collaborate more effectively and modify or improve practices easily. 

"It was exciting to have the opportunity to develop an in-house specification process from scratch," she notes. "The firm's culture gives each of us room to contribute and make a large impact on the company."

It might seem like an unconventional background for a Specification Writer, but Shelby sees a direct correlation. In acting school, everything comes down to communication—whether you’re communicating with your audience, working with your scene partners, or conveying intent with precision and clarity.

"Drawings and specifications are no different," says Shelby. "Specifications are one of the ways we communicate design intent to the contractor. Ensuring that intent is communicated clearly and concisely is extremely important." 
 

Design and Beyond

Shelby’s favorite projects are the hardest ones, the projects that often feel like complicated puzzles. To her, there is no better reward than completing a difficult project (or puzzle).

“I love projects with a unique program or those that are technically challenging," Shelby notes.

As a self-proclaimed "non-designer," Shelby believes good design includes an execution plan that accounts for constructability. 

“If we have a beautiful design on paper but no real plan for how to achieve it, that's not great design,” she says. 

One of Shelby's proudest recent accomplishments was a new milestone in her professional growth. Last year, she served as President of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) Houston Chapter. Shelby is passionate about the organization and found serving on the board in a larger capacity challenging but incredibly rewarding.

Outside of work, Shelby's world revolves around her two young children. "I have two young children, a son and a daughter, so my time outside of work is very busy but extremely fun," Shelby notes. Family bike rides are one of their favorite pastimes. Her husband shared his lifelong love of cycling with their son, so Shelby found herself investing in an e-bike with a seat for their two-year-old daughter to keep up with the boys. Now the entire family takes part in bike-riding adventures, giving them an exciting way to spend time together.