Proudest moments of 2023, Goals for the New Year, and Holiday Traditions …Hear From our Four Principals
Be curious, be generous, go beyond, be a team, and seek balance – this year at Field Paoli Architects, we stayed true to our values as we took on new, ambitious projects, brought back the Fun Committee, and strategically grew our staff.
As 2023 draws to a close, we feel like one big, creative, and productive family. We are thankful for all of our collaborators, clients, and colleagues as we design public spaces that bring people together to foster fulfilling social experiences.
We asked our four principals to reflect on the year and share their wishes and goals for 2024 as well as their favorite holiday traditions. Enjoy!
Christen Soares is approaching two decades at Field Paoli. She is the wizard behind our most innovative retail and food projects.
What 2023 accomplishment are you most proud of?
We pride ourselves on building a diverse, welcoming, and open-minded workplace. I’m very pleased that we became a WBENC-Certified Women’s Business this year. This certification validates that a business is at least 51 percent owned, controlled, operated, and managed by women.
What are you most looking forward to in 2024?
I’m grateful we have a stellar team and a healthy workload to support growing our team even more. Many retail and food and beverage projects are moving closer to a built reality, with landlord coordination, feasibility studies, and construction documents in progress, so that is very exciting. Also, we are looking forward to doing more airport interior projects like Vino Volo; this has become one of our specialties!
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Getting dressed up and attending the Nutcracker Ballet at the Paramount in Oakland. I used to attend with my grandmother every year and am thrilled to be able to continue my childhood tradition with my kids.
An invaluable member of the team since 1997, Maureen O'Neil keeps the Field Paoli ship on course, leading the firm’s logistics and HR.
What 2023 accomplishment are you most proud of?
I’m delighted that the Fun Committee is back in business! We planned two successful events – Happy Hour at our office during the AIA Convention and our holiday outing; we attended a production of Lion King and then headed up to the Skydeck at UC Law School for a view of City Hall accompanied by food, drink, and excellent company.
We also celebrated some significant life events – two weddings, one engagement, and one new baby who will be here before the end of the year.
What are you most looking forward to in 2024?
I’m looking forward to starting the year strong and energized, with more staff and many projects.
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
After enjoying family time, I’m heading to Waikiki for a few days of total relaxation and Mai Tais with some phenomenal women. (This is two years in a row, and I’m hoping it’s a long-standing tradition going forward.)
As a retail and mixed-use development expert at Field Paoli Architects for 30 years, Yann Taylor aims to create lively and welcoming places that promote social equity and positive social interactions.
What 2023 accomplishment are you most proud of?
From a business perspective, I’m proud of our staff growth and our work in the food and beverage sector. We helped Fox Restaurant Concepts open six new restaurants this year.
Personally, I’m grateful that I made time for some big-picture thinking and writing in 2023. Our projects are large and involved, and I enjoy stepping away from project details occasionally to remember the larger significance of architecture in the public realm. I’m proud of the spaces we design that foster sociability, promote chance encounters, and improve public health.
Finally, I celebrated my 30 years with Field Paoli! It’s been quite a journey - and over that time span I’ve seen technology evolve from floppy disks to the cloud!
> Read Yann’s thought piece about the role of architects in building society in the SFAIA’s Small Firms Great Projects annual publication.
What are you most looking forward to in 2024?
I enjoy our international projects, and I’m excited to see some vibrant shopping districts coming to fruition in South America. One project in Ecuador is heading into construction. In a city with few welcoming public gathering spaces, Costa Plaza will offer a multi-level oasis-like environment for the local community.
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
A new tradition I hope to continue is a decadent meal of raclette with our good friends.
What 2023 accomplishment are you most proud of?
The strength of our team members is something I’m proud of. This year, we’ve ramped up with new clients and projects while facing hiring challenges across the board in our industry. As we continue to work through natural growing pains, our current staff shines while they stretch to keep up with the workload, as evidenced by the positive client feedback I received throughout the year.
What are you most looking forward to in 2024?
I look forward to continued growth, creating synergy between our commercial retail centers and mixed-use projects alongside our specialty grocery and food and beverage sectors. We just broke ground on a new retail center in the Las Vegas Valley that is anchored by a high-end specialty grocery store with developer Howard Hughes Corporation. The project will be a cornerstone of Downtown Summerlin, a gateway to the community’s walkable urban core. Designed with a hospitality mindset, guests will find an amenitized experience, enhanced architectural design and materials, decorative lighting, and whimsy, all to create a leisurely experience for grocery runs, where folks can pause for a coffee or enjoy sitting in the shaded patio to savor a delicious meal.
As for synergy, Field Paoli is also the architect of record for the Specialty Grocery tenant improvements, creating a win-win for landlord and tenant. In this collaborative opportunity as the shell and T.I. architect, we are able to execute a cohesive design and can coordinate the many technical details that make for a seamless tenant turnover and a successful grand opening day.
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Making homemade eggnog! …and drinking it. (Don’t miss Trish’s famous eggnog recipe below)!
Trish’s famous egg nog recipe has raw or cooked options, depending on your preference. Alton Brown inspired the recipe, and she perfected it over the years.
Ingredients
4 egg yolks
67 grams (1/3 cup) of granulated sugar **
1 tsp Vanilla extract (optional)
1 pint whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 1/4 ounces bourbon
1 1/4 ounces dark rum
1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
4 egg whites
1 tablespoon of granulated sugar
Directions - Raw
Using a hand mixer, beat together the egg yolks and 1/3 cup sugar until the yolks lighten in color, can be as long as 4 minutes, and the sugar is completely dissolved.
Add the bourbon, rum, and, if using, the vanilla extract. Set aside, or cover and refrigerate this mixture for an hour to help dispel the eggy taste if desired.
Add the milk, cream, and nutmeg and whisk gently to combine.
Directions - Cooked
Using a hand mixer, beat together the egg yolks and 1/3 cup sugar until the yolks lighten in color, can be as long as 4 minutes, and the sugar is completely dissolved. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan, over high heat, combine the milk, heavy cream, and nutmeg and bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and gradually temper the hot mixture into the egg and sugar mixture. Then return everything to the pot and cook until the mixture reaches 160 degrees F. Remove from the heat.
Stir in the bourbon, rum, and vanilla extract, pour into a medium mixing bowl, and set in the refrigerator to chill.
Place the egg whites in a bowl and beat with a hand mixer to soft peaks. With the mixer still running, gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the egg whites into the mixture. Chill and serve.
** For a creamier texture, use powdered sugar. Substitute by weight, not by volume, and be sure to sift it when adding.