Get to know your Architect
Sophia Sparklin, Founding Principal
Today I sat down with Sophia Sparklin - the founding principal of BSPARK Architecture. My interview with her is the first in a series of interviews I will be conducting with all of our design staff here at BSPARK. Picking an Architecture Firm to work with can be an overwhelming process and we are hoping to take some of the anxieties out of that process by giving you a glimpse into our firm: The people, the process, and the goals and values behind what we do.
How long have you been an architect?
I have been a licensed architect since 2008, but have been involved with Architecture through internships and undergraduate degree in Germany since 1996.
How long have you been with BSPARK?
In 2012 I started my own firm in Great Falls, Montana, SPARK Architecture. The firm has gone through many changes over the years and in 2020 we incorporated as a public benefit corporation. Soon after that Keith Ballantyne joined the firm as a partner. These changes prompted us to reevaluate our firm’s values and identity, leading to the renaming of the firm to BSPARK Architecture in 2021.
Why did you choose Architecture?
Coming from generations of medical professionals, I was supposed to be a Doctor. However I kept wondering about the factors that shape the environment around me. Noticing the difference in places that felt comfortable to be in, versus the ones I avoided. That curiosity led me to my first internships. I discovered an intriguing field that combined art and math. Over the years I’ve come full circle, and continue to learn about the healing power of architecture.
What do you think is the most important thing for someone to consider when choosing an architecture firm to work with?
I think it is important that clients find an architect who's communication style aligns with their own. Effective communication is crucial for a successful project. If you don’t feel comfortable communicating with your architect in the first meeting with them, it may be a sign that you should consider another architect for your project.
A firm’s past work experience is also important when considering a firm. Some firm’s have very specific styles they use in their projects. At BSPARK we take a much more custom approach to each client, their site, and their goals. We approach each project with curiosity, finding the right solution for our clients specific needs based on asking the questions and walking alongside our clients on the journey to find the best solution for their needs.
What would you say is the most rewarding part of your job?
I truly enjoy problem solving, working with a client through the process of asking the hard questions and coming up with the best solution. Wrangling complex factors into an elegant solution is one of my favorite factors of design evolution within the individual project. Balancing the budget, project needs, clients goals , performance and site factors all create that initial complexity. When integrated well, the final solution looks and feels “just right”.
What is your favorite season?
Spring - I love the promise it brings of longer days, warmer temperatures, great spring skiing days, and watching nature emerge after our long Montana winters. My family and I enjoy walking around in the spring and searching for the first bud, the first blade of grass, the first mushroom. There are some days in the spring when the warm breeze just feels like a hug from nature.
