Happy Anniversary to Katie!

Celebrating 26 Years

Katie Stodghill, AIA, NCARB, celebrates 26 years at PMA this month! Since joining the firm, Katie has headed PMA’s interior design services as well as managed architectural projects. The diversity of projects is rewarding for her because she doesn’t have to focus exclusively on one concentration. She also enjoys the diversity of client types that PMA engages in, from restaurants to senior care to municipal projects: “It means we’re constantly learning and growing.”

Katie is a Virginia Tech graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design and a Master of Architecture. Her versatile background in both fields gives her expansive knowledge and experience. When asked which she liked better, interiors or architecture, Katie said she liked both for different reasons. For her, interiors are immediate gratification, selecting and feeling the finishes and designing what will create a cohesive narrative. “Stroking beauty out of velvet is more immediate than bricks.”

She describes architecture as a deeper thought process with its own value and satisfaction. Developing a building relies on knowing how to correctly assemble all the parts to be functional and sound while at the same time producing a response from those who experience the building and space. “I like the process of getting buildings built… I love the phenomenality of architecture.”

Creating a Narrative

Katie believes both disciplines are based on creating a narrative. This includes hearing the client's needs, visiting the site, and “always looking for nuances that will change perspective or thought.” Katie particularly enjoys renovations over new construction. “I prefer renovations because the story has already been told, and you must step in and recreate it from a different perspective. Renovations are like puzzles, fitting the pieces in.”

One of Katie’s notable renovation projects in Newport News is The Yoder Barn Theatre. Katie was at Rancorn Wildman when she led the architectural team in renovating the historic barn into an entertainment venue and maintaining its important legacy in the area. Part of the Yoder Farm, a landmark Mennonite farm located where the Patrick Henry Mall area is today, the barn, silo, and brick dairy were saved from demolition and relocated to their current location along Oyster Pont Road. The project gave the barn a new life as a theater, seating 325 people in intimate surroundings and staying true to its humble beginnings. It was a blend of architecture, listening to the client and community, and developing a narrative that fit the old and new uses. “I loved that project and Mr. Yoder. It was so wonderful.”

PMA Favorites

Katie’s favorite PMA-era works include Smoke, Cowboy Syd’s, and Syd’s FishPig Café. “Really, any of the restaurant projects!” Katie says. She also enjoys how The Arbors, a senior living facility at the heart of Port Warwick, was realized. The project created a space for seniors in a bustling community, allowing for close neighborhood interaction in a luxurious building that offers spacious apartments and full amenities.

Serving the Community

When not at work, Katie spends her time in service. She is currently on the board of several local organizations, such as the Peake Childhood Center, and the Newport News Arts Commission, and is beginning her last year on the Newport News Planning Commission. Previously, Katie also served on the Sister Cities of Newport News board and still donates her time to the organization.

Avid Potter

Katie still finds time to be an avid potter, throwing at the local Village Studio Arts to perfect her porcelain work. Her work in pottery, fibers, and architecture are intertwined. “Yes! Both [pottery and architecture] are very similar. Any creative work, be it pottery, or fiber arts, or whatever I’m doing is an extension of the architectural narrative by creating. I don’t see a division line. I’m always thinking about one while doing the other.”

We love Katie’s energy, creative spirit, and drive at work, pottery, and community, and we look forward to celebrating many more anniversaries.