Professional Profile: Lori Ambrusch
Lab Design spoke to Lori Ambrusch, Science & Technology Director at Ware Malcomb about her career, go-to coffee order, and hobbies including her love of Broadway, renovations, and baking.
Q: How did you get started in your career? Did you major in your field in college, get an internship, switch careers mid-stream, etc.?
A: It is unclear where I first heard the word “architect” or learned what it meant, but I was telling people I was going to be one by the time I was in kindergarten. That declaration and inherent pull to architecture somehow stuck, and I, therefore, pursued my professional Bachelor of Architecture degree immediately after high school.
While an undergrad, I did become very interested in urban design, and ultimately centered my fifth-year thesis around bringing utilities and infrastructure to informal settlements. This led to a brief grad school detour to study urban design before going to work full-time back in architecture. While I never intended to land in healthcare or lab design, I quickly fell into it and realized that I loved the precise attention to detail and more multifaceted problem-solving inherent in these typologies.
Q: What are some of your career highlights so far?
A: I feel fortunate that I’ve had the opportunity to work at several different firms in different cities. Not only to get a broader understanding of Science and Technology across multiple markets but also to expand my experience of working within different environments and with different groups of people. I truly feel that with each role I’ve held, I’ve gained crucial skills that have helped me get where I am today.
Ware Malcomb fosters a culture that encourages developing thought leadership, which has allowed me to pursue my passion for continuing education and writing while having several articles published. Another career goal has been to win a professional design award, and this past year our team worked on a project that won the NAIOP DC | MD Best Life Science Facility Award of Excellence 2023.
Q: What is a typical day at work like for you?
A: Something I enjoy about my current role is that each day looks a little different. Some days I get to attend conferences to stay current with the cutting-edge developments in the Science & Technology world, others I’m on site evaluating how construction for one of our projects is coming along, and some days I get to dig into a Revit model and work through the challenges of programing and planning a laboratory.
Q: If you weren't in this profession, what job would you like to have instead?
A: I would have to be a writer in some capacity, regardless of how that takes shape. In an ideal alternate profession, I would be a writer for a travel column where I visit a new city each week, and describe the local architecture, landscapes, and cuisine.
Q: What is your favorite building, lab-related or not?
A: This is a tough question. In school, Le Corbusier was my hero. My rigid style was actually more in line with Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, but I appreciated Corb’s sketching style and thought process. I therefore would have to say my favorite building is Villa Savoye, and I was completely star-struck when I finally was able to visit it. A close second is the Seagram Building by Mies, partly because even the window blinds were designed to always be aligned (they can only be closed, halfway open, or fully open).
Q: What is the biggest work-related challenge you've faced? How did you overcome it?
A: I would say one of my largest work-related challenges has always been balance. I am someone who goes all-in on everything, whether it is selecting curtain rods for my house or going after a massive deal for my company. I, therefore, sometimes find myself not coming up for air, and as a design professional who aims to create spaces that relate to society and people’s experiences; it is important that I remember to exist in society and not just within my work. I cannot say that I’ve necessarily overcome this yet, but I have become more aware of my patterns as I’ve gotten older, and am making more of an effort to balance my schedules so that I can be the best human and designer possible.
Q: What is your go-to coffee order?
A: As a go-to, I love a seasonal Starbucks latte, always decaf, soy, and no whip (lactose is not my friend). I, however, once got a lavender latte at Citi Spot, my hometown coffee shop in Hunterdon County, NJ, and it changed my life. It was a limited edition offering, so I have been chasing that experience ever since.
Q: If you could tell your younger self something, what would it be?
A: I was fortunate to try many different things when I was younger, so I don’t have any regrets in that regard. One thing I took for granted was getting to see my friends every day at school, and having everyone live in the same state/country for easy plan-making on the weekends. I would, therefore, tell my younger self to soak up every second of having a grade school social life and access to year-round school sports.
Q: If you could teleport to any destination in the world, where would you go?
A: This is a difficult choice. I absolutely love to travel, and like many other travel aficionados, am trying to make a stop in every country on the planet. Since the trek to Antarctica is long and difficult if given the opportunity to take advantage of teleportation, I think I would need to use that opportunity to explore the bottom of the globe.
Q: What kinds of hobbies or interests do you have outside of work?
A: I tend to have more hobbies than time to pursue them, as there are few things in this world that do not interest me! For the sake of space, I will hit some highlights here.
Along with my early love of architecture came a love of power tools and building from a young age. I started TaeKwonDo when I was four, and therefore would build whatever I could think of from boards I would break in TKD lessons. In fifth grade, I leveled up to my first power tool, a corded Black + Decker drill, and the rest is history. I now love renovating my fixer-upper, and luckily my friends and family are understanding of the constant construction zone that comes with that hobby.
I enjoy just about any physical activity and getting outdoors, so I have been attempting to visit all the National Parks and collect the stamps along the way. I also love Broadway musicals, being the first person on the beach to see the sunrise, going for long walks on new trails or in new cities, playing around with my digital and film cameras, baking/cooking/grilling, petting other people’s dogs, and just about any activity associated with Autumn or Winter.
