Professional Profile: Altair Galgana-Wood
Altair Galgana- Wood
Lab Design spoke to Altair Galgana-Wood, AIA, NOMA, LEED AP. She is a design manager at Gensler and a panelist at the Lab Design Conference on the Diversity Panel. She shared her career journey, her favorite building, and her love of camping.
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: I majored in architecture at the University of Houston, and interned the last two years of school. During those two years, I came to really enjoy the profession, and have been on the same path ever since!
Q: What are some of your career highlights so far?
A: I started my career working on science & technology projects and have been lucky enough to continue developing that specialty. This path has given me the opportunity to work with several notable companies on some very cutting-edge spaces and masterplans that shape their respective communities. I was also very lucky to have started my career at a firm that was very supportive of my career development, which allowed me to get licensed just a year out of college and set a new record for the youngest licensed architect in the state of Texas.
Q: If you weren't in this profession, what job would you like to have instead?
A: A chef! Food is culture, and I've always been in awe at the variety of the world's cuisines.
Q: What is your favorite building, lab-related or not?
A: Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. I had seen the photos before going, but nothing compares to seeing it in person. It's an absolutely breathtaking building, and every part makes you feel like you're in a dream.
Q: What's your typical order when you visit a coffee shop?
A: A matcha latte with coconut milk, half sweet.
Q: What is your favorite vacation spot?
A: Anywhere I can go camping and experience something incredible and unique - my favorite so far has been Zion National Park.
Q: What is the best piece of professional advice you have received?
A: "The vast majority of things are changeable, but you have to ask. If you don't ask, the default answer will be 'no,' and you'll never know what could have been." This advice has inspired me to push beyond my comfort zone and try new things, and not just accept a bad situation because I was afraid of change or confrontation.
Q: What are some of your future career goals?
A: I tell people that I want to work on top-secret, cutting-edge sci-tech projects so that eventually, my resume will consist entirely of "confidential client" and "confidential project." But in all seriousness - I'd love to lead a talented, agile team that specializes in technically complex project types that have never been seen or done before.
