2026 Women in Construction: Meg Kalinowski, AIA, NAVA Partners, LLC

 

What current or recently completed project, accomplishment or initiative are you most excited about, and why does it matter for your team, clients or community?

One of the projects I remain most excited about is my work on the Penn District with Vornado Realty Trust. Over several years, the project reshaped my understanding of the relationship between public and private space, particularly how opening amenities beyond a building’s tenants can strengthen civic life. Reimagining the commercial office lobby as a place for lingering, exchange, and shared experience—not just efficiency—demonstrated how architecture can expand the commons and meaningfully enrich the communities it serves.

What do you wish more women knew about the opportunities available in the construction industry today?

I wish more women knew how formative and empowering on-site experience can be within the construction industry. For architects — especially early in their careers — being present on site builds confidence, technical fluency, and authority in spaces that have traditionally been male-dominated. Learning happens through proximity, curiosity, and repetition. When supported by teams committed to safety and mentorship, construction sites become classrooms — places where women can grow into more assertive, informed leaders shaping the built environment from the ground up.

What emerging challenge or opportunity do you see shaping the construction industry in the next few years, and how are you preparing for it?

One of the most compelling opportunities shaping construction today lies in rethinking the building envelope through natural materials and climate-responsive systems. I’m deeply interested in how vernacular building knowledge and contemporary building science can work together to deliver high-performing, healthy envelopes with less material and depth. At the same time, adaptive reuse remains essential — preservation is often the most sustainable act. My focus is on balancing respect for existing structures with targeted envelope upgrades that enable healthier, more resilient spaces.

What is one piece of advice or perspective you would share with women beginning their careers in the construction industry?

My advice to women entering the construction industry is to seek proximity — both to mentors and to the work itself. Bridging the gap between drawings and construction requires time in the office and on site, where ideas become reality. Find people who are generous with knowledge and committed to creating safe, trusting learning environments. Use what you learn with confidence and humility. Construction is a lifelong education—spanning design, building, and finance—and strength comes from understanding the full ecosystem shaping our built environment.

What habit or routine helps you stay focused or motivated during a busy week?

Walking through the city — off my phone — and staying socially connected helps me reset, observe, and return to work energized.

What is something outside of work that brings you energy, balance or creativity?

Teaching at the Pratt Institute School of Architecture energizes me through constant exchange with students and faculty.

Share one fun or unexpected detail about yourself that colleagues might not know.

I’d love to try stand-up comedy — it’s a bold, joyful way to connect people across backgrounds.