It Was Designed by an Architect

Let's take a look at how architects design the world!
Discover how they use creativity and problem-solving to create beautiful buildings that meet the needs of the people who use them. From sturdy skyscrapers and sun-filled temples to schools that stay cool and homes that stay warm, learn how thoughtful designs shape the world around us. Explore the small details and big ideas that make our communities more purposeful, welcoming, and vibrant places to live.

Francesca (Frankie) Alchanati, a native of Los Angeles who grew up as a triplet, vividly recalls the moment she chose to become an architect -- Career Day in second grade. Her passion for architecture grew through her education at Drexel University in Philadelphia, along with global travel and volunteer work that deepened her commitment to socially impactful design. Now based in Washington, D.C., Frankie balances her architectural career with leading Parenting Child Care Rwanda International (PCCRI), the NGO she founded to support families and schools in Rwanda.

Sophia Watts is a designer and illustrator from Nottingham. She graduated from Leeds Arts University with a first-class honours degree in illustration and is currently based in South West London, where she lives with her girlfriend. Sophia's passions include animals, food, and travel, all themes that feature prominently in her work. She particularly enjoys creating scenes that capture the true essence of the places she visits, adding in the small nuances that make each location unique. Sophia mainly works digitally but occasionally works in traditional media. Throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to work with companies such as Penguin Random House UK, The Northern Opera Group, Scoop Magazine, Independent Leeds, Stratford Literary Festival, and more.