Welcome Audrey Blakely

Most five-year-olds spend their free time running, biking, throwing, catching, and coloring, both alone and with others. Five-year-old Audrey Blakely was discovering her desire to become an architect as she worked with her dad building things in his woodshop in Milford, CT.

“I always loved designing and building things with him,” she says. The tiny house movement became popular when she was in middle school, and she started drawing tiny homes and building models of them. “I have always liked the way design feels like a puzzle where you find creative ways to fit together all the necessary components.”

Some of her favorite childhood memories were visits from her grandparents and cousins who hailed from Virginia, which was the big reason she wanted to move south for college.

“I chose the University of Tennessee because I really enjoyed their architecture program, the building, and all the technological resources they provided,” she says.

Her favorite building is La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, the first building in another country she toured after deciding that she wanted to become an architect. “It was the first time I really admired a building like a designer. Antoni Gaudi is incredible for incorporating nature and Spanish culture into his projects. I also think it is unique to experience a building that has taken over a hundred years to construct.”

At JJCA, she is most excited to learn the connection between building design and psychology since she has always had a passion for both fields. “With healthcare and behavioral health projects, I will get to see those areas of interest intersect.”

While she enjoys watching many sports, she hasn’t dedicated herself to following one team—except she will always support UT. In Knoxville, her favorite restaurant was Copper Cellar. She also enjoys acrylic painting, graphic art, building with Legos, brain teasers, and podcasts.

Audrey’s hero? “Right now, as a newlywed, I have a lot of admiration for my husband, Gavin. He is always willing to try new things, is quite adventurous, and is very supportive of my new job and our move to a new city.”

Welcome to JJCA, Audrey!