Mackenzie Lail completed received her Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from UNC Charlotte in 2022.
How did you first get interested in architecture?
I've been drawing buildings ever since I could hold a pencil. When I was older, I became interested in the buildings we occupy, the places we do and don't see and how it all came together. At that point, I knew I had to go to architecture school.
What kind of career do you hope to have?
Though I don't have a set career path in mind, I am a firm believer that architecture affects people both physically and emotionally, and therefore, the buildings we create will operate positively or negatively respectively. It's for this reason that I believe architecture can be a tool at the very front of social reform. I hope to lead a career that works in increasing the quality of affordable housing and abolishing homelessness.
What is your favorite thing about The David Ravin School of Architecture?
The resources are definitely the best part of the SOA. It's nearly impossible to get stuck on any type of design problem because there's probably at least five people in a 50 foot vicinity who have knowledge on the subject. There's also the Storrs Lab and Hight Library, which are great luxuries to have.
When you are not in class, studying, or working, what do you like to do for fun?
When I get a moment to breathe, I enjoy reading, playing video games, doing crafts, art, and spending time with my pets. I have a bird named Sora and a dog named Lucy. I also enjoy spending time outside gardening, kayaking, or hiking.