055: Kira Gould: Sustainability and Storytelling in Architecture

On today’s episode of Architectette we welcome Kira Gould.

Kira is a writer, strategist, and convener focused on advancing design leadership and climate action through her company, Kira Gould CONNECT. 

She is also the co-host of the Design the Future podcast with Lindsay Baker, a Senior Fellow with Architecture 2030, and co-authored Women in Green: Voices of Sustainable Design.

We talk about: 

- Kira’s career as a non-architect working in AEC. She elaborates on her family roots in the industry and how she leaned into her passions for writing and sustainability. 

- We talk about the power of storytelling and how limiting industry jargon and using clarifying language helps to set clear expectations about the design and construction process with clients. 

- We also chat about the evolution of sustainability from an offshoot to an integral part of practice today with leaders not only leading sustainable initiatives, but the companies where they work.

- Kira and I review the lessons and impact of Women in Green and discuss other impactful topics including parenthood, mentorship, Architecture 2030, and developing thought leadership.

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Links: 

Connect with Kira: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiragould/

Design the Future Podcast: https://www.designthefuturepodcast.com/

Women in Green: Voices of Sustainable Design (2007), Kira Gould with Lance Hosey

Kira's Book Recommendations (elaborations on the Architectette Website):

Multisolving: Creating Systems Change in a Fractured World, Elizabeth Sawin (2024)

Flourish: Design Paradigms for Our Planetary Emergency, Sarah Ichioka, Michael Pawlyn (2021)

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