Cultivating Regional Sensitivity and Emerging Leadership

Q&A with Cynthia Sigler, AIA – Co-Founder, The Foothill Catalog Foundation 

I. Design Philosophy & Core Values

Originally from Honolulu and now based in Pasadena, how has your diverse geographical background influenced your design philosophy, particularly your passion for “regionally sensitive” design?

One of the things that originally drew me to architecture as a profession was growing up travelling to different places and learning about what makes each place unique. It’s the people, the culture, and the landscape – but so much of it is also the built environment. I’ve always loved how architecture can embody the character of a place.

Historically, regionally specific design often arose from environmental necessity – adobe in hot, arid climates, breezeways in humid regions. Today, technology and modern amenities can diminish that practical need, but I still believe the best architecture is deeply rooted in its place. Even if expressed differently now, designs that respond to their setting feel more authentic and connected to the people who inhabit them.

You emphasize the impact of the built environment from micro to macro scales. Could you elaborate on what this means to you in practice, and how you approach design to create positive impacts at various levels?

Architecture is one of the few professions that can shape experience at so many different scales. At one end, we work on master plans that influence how people move through cities and structure their daily lives. And then we have the ability to hone in – all the way down to the door hardware. Even a well-chosen doorknob can provide joy to a client. And of course, there is everything in between. To me, the true value of an architect lies in our ability and responsibility to shape those experiences thoughtfully, at every scale.

Given your focus on commercial and public-facing spaces, what are some of the key considerations or core values you prioritize to ensure these designs are not only functional but also contribute positively to community life?

For me, it always comes back to people and place. Is the design truly serving the people who will use it? Does it reflect and respect the place it inhabits? This might translate into the orientation of a space, the way daylight is brought in, or the environmental impact of the materials chosen. In the commercial world, there’s often a balance between vision, budget, and practical constraint – but grounding decisions in people and place helps me to remember what it’s all about!

II. Leadership & Vision for Emerging Professionals

As the Associate Director for the AIA|LA Emerging Professionals Committee, what is your primary vision for expanding licensure resources, networking, and professional development opportunities for new architects in Los Angeles?

At the AIA|LA Emerging Professional Committee, our focus is on creating meaningful opportunities for networking, professional growth, and cross-sector collaboration—not just with fellow EPs, but also with allied groups like ASLA, ULI, and other AIA committees and chapters. Licensure is a big priority for us, so we host informational events and connect members with AIA resources to support that process. Most importantly, we keep things fun through lectures, tours, and opportunities to get together. I try to think about what I would have found helpful during the first couple of years of my career – and it’s really having access to a community to be a part of, to grow and learn together. So I try to focus on cultivating that kind of environment as we develop the EP program for the year.

What are some of the most significant challenges you see emerging professionals facing today, and how is the committee working to address these to foster a stronger, more inclusive pipeline for the profession?

Early in a career, it’s easy to get stuck on one project type or task. While every experience has value, exposure to a range of possibilities is essential. We try to showcase the breadth of the profession – from adaptive reuse to policy work, from technical specializations to creative side paths. Architecture has room for many different passions, and our role is to help EPs explore where they fit best for a fulfilling professional life.

How do you see the next generation of architects influencing the future of design, particularly in areas like sustainability, equity, and community engagement?

The next generation is coming in with a rare combination of adaptability, technical fluency, and purpose. They have access to tools, knowledge, and collaborative networks that didn’t exist a decade ago, and they bring deep care for the environment, for equity, and for community well-being. I see this passion reflected not only in early-career professionals but also in students yet to enter the workforce, whether through initiatives like AIA|LA’s Design for Diversity Day or SoCal NOMA’s Architecture Bootcamp. If this energy is sustained, like I hope it will be, the future of architecture can be both innovative and deeply human-centered.

III. The Foothill Catalog Foundation & Wildfire Recovery

Could you tell us more about your leadership role with The Foothill Catalog Foundation? What is its mission, and what specific projects or initiatives are you currently focused on?

I co-founded The Foothill Catalog Foundation alongside an incredible founding board, including my husband Alex Athenson, who is also an architect. Alex and I live about a block from the Eaton Fire burn zone in Northwest Pasadena. Our home was spared, but returning after the evacuation to see the physical and emotional toll on our own community spurred us into thinking about how architects can utilize our skills to assist in disaster recovery and community restoration.

Inspired by the Sears Catalog Home program of the early 20th century, The Foothill Catalog’s mission is to provide high-quality, pre-approved home designs that allow wildfire survivors to rebuild resiliently, affordably, and in ways that preserve the architectural identity of their neighborhoods. Since launching about 7 months ago, we’ve worked with LA County to develop the Pre-approved Standard Plan Process for fire rebuilds. We collaborated with Habitat for Humanity San Gabriel Valley to design three homes that will be built for 25 Altadena families in need, and hopefully many more. We successfully submitted the first pre-approved SFR plan in LA County history – The Lewis. Currently, our team is working hard to develop the remainder of Phase 1 – consisting of 18 designs – and planning future phases.

The Foothill area is particularly vulnerable to wildfires. How does your work with the Foundation intersect with wildfire recovery and rebuilding efforts in the region? Are there specific design or planning strategies you advocate for?

The Foothill Catalog Foundation is a non-profit organization developed to step into local recovery efforts and help fill a specific need for fire survivors without the financial, time, or emotional capacity to pursue a fully custom rebuild. Every pre-approved standard plan is designed to reflect the character of the community while meeting IBHS and CBC Chapter 7A requirements for high fire severity zones. The goal is to make resilient, well-designed homes accessible to all fire survivors – not just those with the means to commission one.

In light of recent wildfire events, what crucial lessons do you believe architects must learn about designing and building in fire-prone areas to ensure the long-term safety and resilience of communities?

There is an obvious answer about making sure that we are designing buildings to be physically more resilient through material choices and detailing. But resilience is about more than rebuilding the structure – it’s about restoring a community. A single fire-hardened home means little if displaced neighbors and longtime community members can’t afford to return. True resilience comes when the whole community can rebuild in place. Our profession has a responsibility to help make that possible.

Cynthia Sigler, AIA – Associate, HKS Architects & Co-Founder, The Foothill Catalog Foundation & Chair, AIA|LA Emerging Professionals Committee

Cynthia Sigler, AIA, is a licensed architect based in Pasadena. Originally from Honolulu, HI, she earned a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Notre Dame. She began her professional career in Chicago at a global architecture firm before relocating to Los Angeles in 2021.

Cynthia is passionate about regionally sensitive, sustainable design and is motivated by the impact that our built environment has, from the micro to macro scale. She has experience working with a multitude of project types with a focus on commercial and public-facing spaces. Cynthia also currently serves as the Associate Director for the AIA Los Angeles Emerging Professionals Committee with a focus on expanding licensure resources, networking, and professional development opportunities to the newest members of our profession.

*Disclaimer: The advice and perspectives shared here belong to the author and should not be considered official recommendations from AIA Los Angeles.