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Addressing Southern Nevada's Homelessness Crisis

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  Southern Nevada is facing a critical challenge as the number of unhoused individuals reaches a 13-year high. According to recent reports, more than 13,000 people are currently experiencing homelessness—a troubling reflection of the region's housing crisis and economic instability. The root of the issue lies in the skyrocketing cost of housing, which has left many residents struggling to afford rent. Coupled with economic challenges from the pandemic, even small financial setbacks can push families and individuals into homelessness. This crisis affects people from all walks of life, from veterans to young families, creating an urgent need for action. Homelessness isn’t just about lacking shelter—it comes with significant emotional and physical hardships. Those experiencing homelessness often face higher rates of chronic illness, mental health issues, and limited access to healthcare and employment. For families, especially those with children, the long-term effects can be devastat
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Career Discovery Day at the Office

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  Career Discovery Day at the Office left to right: student, Natalie, student, dad, student, Gabi, Patty, Kentrell, Parker Friday July 12, 2024, we had the pleasure of finishing our week with a visit from local high school and middle school students and their dads to ask questions about a career in architecture. It was a great way to top off a busy week and remind us of what if felt like when we were thinking about becoming an architect. Read below some feedback from the staff. "It was an insightful experience to reflect on a 30-year career through the eyes of high school and middle school students. There are so many challenging and engaging aspects unique to the practice of architecture." - Anne Johnson, CEO/Principal “Having the opportunity to sit down with the students and their parents was a good reminder of the outreach we can do within our profession. We can make a positive impact not only through the work we do, but also in sharing our experiences with others, especia
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Introducing Patty Green

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  Introducing Patty Green: A New Architect at Sparkflight Studios We are thrilled to welcome Patty Green, AIA, NCARB to our team at Sparkflight Studios (SFS), a women-owned small business architecture firm. Patty's journey to joining our team has been an interesting one, starting from her roots in South Carolina to her experiences in California before finding her way to us.   Patty first discovered SFS through a mutual friend she met when she came to Las Vegas to pursue her master’s in architecture at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). She has worked in the architectural world at various companies including a local Las Vegas firm, a Sacramento firm, and a unique opportunity working at Tesla. Patty found herself drawn to our firm due to the value that our founder, Anne, and her team represent and the potential for growth and engagement with the community.   With a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and Minor in Modern Languages, French, at Clemson and a Master of Architecture fro
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Family Navigation Center

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 Celebrating the Start of Construction for the new  Family Navigation Center The design team wishes to thank Family Promise of Las Vegas and  is grateful for this opportunity for our community!   Sparkflight Studios Designer / Architect of Record TJK Consulting Engineers Mechanical / Electrical / Plumbing Engineers Wright Structural Engineers Structural Engineering ACS Group Fire Protection and Life Safety GRNVision Sustainability Design See the groundbreaking celebration here ongoing construction photos
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Sparkflight Studios Renews the WBENC Certification

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Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Sparkflight Studios Recertified as WBE and WOSB by WBENC Sparkflight Studios (SFS) just completed the recertification process for WBE and WOSB under the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), which means we continue to have an advocate for access, capacity development, recognition, and community support to facilitate real-time business opportunities. WBENC also offers training that helps grow our capacity. WBENC is the largest certifier of women-owned businesses in the U.S. and a leading advocate for women business owners and entrepreneurs. The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved WBENC as a Third Party Certifier for Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) certification as part of the SBA's WOSB Federal Contracting Program.  SFS is also renewed as a DBE through the Clark County Department of Aviation. We have been certified DBE since 2010.  SFS is honored to serve multiple organizations and local governments as a fu
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Gabrielle Fernandez - One Year Later

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One year later, Gabrielle Fernandez (Gabi) shares her thoughts on this incredible journey in her first architecture job at Sparkflight Studios. The highlight of this year has undoubtedly been the learning experiences she has gained. Transitioning from the academic world to a professional setting has been eye-opening.   Gabi has been working on diverse projects, with two that stand out. The Family Promise Navigation Center was an exciting project for Gabi who noted “I even had the chance to attend the groundbreaking, which was a memorable moment.” Additionally, she is currently working on the Rooted School, a charter school project, which is both challenging and rewarding. These projects have given Gabi a real-world perspective on architecture.   Gabi far left One significant aspect of her growth in this first year was understanding the intricacies of the Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and the permit process. These topics weren't extensively covered in school, but Gabi has
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Natalie Perez - One Year Later

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Natalie Perez entered a new professional realm fresh from graduation in landscape architecture when she joined Sparkflight Studios a year ago. She said she was feeling a mix of intimidation and nervousness, yet an overriding eagerness to absorb knowledge about architecture overshadowed any self-doubt. As Natalie quoted, Tracee Ellis Ross's words,  "I am learning every day to allow the space between where I am and where I want to be to inspire me and not terrify me,"   resonated deeply, encapsulating the feelings surrounding this new chapter.   Gratitude pervaded her experience as she found the guidance of an architect possessing extensive technical expertise and a willingness to mentor. Each passing day brought forth a new lesson, fostering confidence and enriching her knowledge. She was encouraged to know that this learning would serve as a sturdy foundation for her upcoming journey through graduate school and beyond.   In the past year Natalie has worked on diverse proj
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