Women Leading the Way: Designing the Future of WBCA

We wanted to end the month of March, International Women’s Month, by highlighting an inspiring project that showcases the talent and leadership of women in architecture and design. The new Administration Building for the Western Butler County Authority (WBCA) is an ongoing project shaped by a team of accomplished female professionals. Leading the design is Kristy Costanzo, RA, Project Architect at HDG Architects, whose 13 years of experience in Higher Education, K-12, and Municipal projects has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life. Working alongside Kristy is HDG’s Architectural Designer Juliane O’Day, Advantus Engineers’ Sustainability Consultant, Angelica Ciranni, and Manager at WBCA, Autumn Crawford; all of whom are dedicated to creating a functional, sustainable, and forward-thinking space for the community. The WBCA New Admin Building will serve as the administrative offices for the WBCA wastewater treatment facility, providing a modern and efficient workspace to support its operations.

With women driving every phase of the design process, this project is a testament to the growing impact of female professionals in the AEC industry. We sat down with Kristy and Angelica to discuss the project’s progress, the power of collaboration, and the significance of working on a female-led team. We sat down with part of the team to dive more into their experience with this project and their role in the design world.

Can you share a bit about the WBCA New Admin Building project and your role in it?

Kristy: “As the Project Architect, I was responsible for leading the design process and overseeing the day-to-day coordination of the entire team. This included managing the design and facilitating collaboration between consultants, contractors, and the client to bring the project vision to life.”

Angelica: “My role spans both sustainability and commissioning, and I’ve been involved since the start of the project. From the beginning, the client prioritized sustainability in alignment with their mission, allowing us to integrate meaningful strategies in a cost-effective way. I’m especially proud of our focus on energy efficiency, the solar array, and commissioning, as well as our approach to healthy materials, indoor air quality, and construction waste management—all contributing to a more sustainable project.”

Can you share a little about your background in the industry? And what inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?

Angelica: “I have focused on sustainability in the Pittsburgh region for 17 years, with the past five at Advantus as Director of Sustainability. In addition to leading our sustainability work, I also serve as a project manager for commissioning, another core service area for us. My background is in civil and environmental engineering with a focus on sustainability. I’ve always loved architecture and the technical complexity of building projects, and I find it incredibly rewarding to support project teams in creating buildings that prioritize environmental and human health impacts”

Have you noticed any differences in the design process or team dynamics when working with a female-led group?

Kristy: “For the first time in my career, I’ve walked into meetings where I wasn’t outnumbered by men, and it’s been refreshing to experience the subtle but meaningful shifts in team dynamics. The casual conversations before and after meetings often center more around family and shared experiences rather than traditionally male-dominated topics like golf. From a design perspective, I’ve noticed that women tend to bring different ways of thinking to the table. There were plenty of moments where both men and women have said, ‘Hmm, I hadn’t considered it that way before’, leading to fresh perspectives and valuable insights in the design process.”

What inspired your (teams) approach to designing this building? Were there any particular challenges or opportunities that shaped the project?

Kristy: “The biggest challenge for us has been trying to balance the programmatic needs for the client along with their desire to create a space that could be used by the community, while also being good stewards for the environment.  Autumn was really clear on her desires to make the building comfortable for the employees as well.”

What aspects of this project are you most proud of?

Kristy: “I’m really proud of the growth that both Juliane and I have experienced throughout this project. There have been many ‘firsts’ for us as designers—challenges that pushed our knowledge and abilities in new ways. It’s been a learning experience for everyone involved, and seeing that growth has been incredibly rewarding. I’m also really proud of the sustainability initiatives this building will bring to life. Contributing to a project that prioritizes environmental responsibility and long-term impact makes the work even more meaningful.”

How can firms and the industry better support and elevate women in a leadership role?

Angelica: “I think being intentional about mentorship and making sure women and diverse perspectives are represented on project teams is key. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from and be influenced by incredible women, and working at a woman-owned engineering firm has reinforced how valuable that representation is. Seeing strong female leadership firsthand has shaped how I approach my work and shown me what’s possible.”

WBCA PROJECT TEAM: