2023 Women in CRE: Katie Buhl, Unispace

What recent project, transaction, or accomplishment are you most proud of? During the pandemic, I led the design of an experiential office for Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), which won a 2022 Better Future NY Design Award in the category of Interior Design–Corporate and Commercial. As a testament to the project’s success, MSC came back to us and asked us to design their Arizona office in a way that would help reposition their business, which I am finishing up now.

Who inspires you most? What qualities do they possess that inspire you? Hedy Lamar. While most well-known for her work in Hollywood, she was also an inventor who came up with the technology behind Bluetooth and WiFi.

Why should this nominee be recognized in our Women in Commercial Real Estate Spotlight? “At only 33, Katie’s professional highlights resemble those of a veteran designer – including piloting a new design standard for Bank of America; opening several projects for Flight Centre; leading the design for an online retailer’s Hudson Yards office; and even doing a stint as a hospitality designer for Lenny Kravitz.” - Alexia Marinos, Senior Marketing Coordinator at Unispace.

What are the most important factors women in your industry should consider when choosing a firm to build their career with? Look for firms that practice what they preach in terms of work/life balance and have a healthy number of women in mid to high positions.