Architects Help Create Amazing Places One Project At A Time - Meet Rani Guram

Rani Guram at Yellowstone National Park

What is your name and job title? Rani Guram, Denver Service Center (DSC) Design & Construction Project Manager.

What experience and education do you have? I am a licensed architect with more than 25 years of experience in the architectural profession. I have extensive experience in both the architectural design and project management roles.

What is a typical day like? I communicate regularly with project team members to keep the flow of information and the project moving forward. I might have to dig into an issue to see what or where the obstacle or confusion within the team or process may exist or what’s blocking the project’s progress, then I bring together a meeting of the minds in order to resolve the issue. A wise leader recently reminded me that the three pillars to successful leadership are identified in three C’s:

• Proactive communication
• Responsive and respectful customer service and,
• Effective collaboration

I remind myself to work towards these goals in my daily interactions.

What career advice would you give to someone who wants to follow a similar path? Obtain a variety of experience in the building and design field because it will come in handy when you are leading the project process as a project manager. When managing a project, you will rely on both your career and life experiences to help you be prepared to navigate your project and team through the design and construction process. You will rely on your past career and life experiences, skills, and knowledge to help you deal with the unexpected predicaments you most likely will face. Keep up your knowledge and proficiency in your design profession. For example, if you are an architect, then keep up on the latest building science news and theories, latest building codes, green building techniques and products, etc. Learn about preservation techniques and other historic architecture/preservation principles. Your colleagues around you are one of your best sources of information and advisers so don’t hesitate to ask questions.

What is one of the bigger projects you are working on and what about that project might surprise people? I am working on the rehabilitation and repurposing of a historic building in a hurricane prone environment with multiple project contracts, some which are not under DSC management. There is a lot to juggle and weigh out when making design and schedule decisions. In the decision making process, the project team must consider historic fabric, Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standard accessibility and code compliance upgrades, resiliency against future hurricane storms, value to costs, and low maintenance solutions.

What might surprise people about the project, is actually the history behind the name: The rehabilitated “Flamingo Visitor Center” will be re-named the “Guy Bradley Visitor Center.” Guy Bradley was a game warden hired on to enforce the illegality of bird hunting in areas pf Florida. It was a dangerous job. In the Audubon Organization journal, January 1904 issue of The Auk, an editor wrote: "The natives are beginning to realize that the birds are to be protected and that the wardens are fearless men who are not to be trifled with. The Bradleys have the reputation of being the best rifle shots in that vicinity and they would not hesitate to shoot when necessary." During Guy Bradley’s time, bird feathers in that area had become almost as valuable as gold, and being a game warden was no easy job. These bird feathers were the current fashion demand for women’s hats, and that demand drove up the value and the risk poachers were willing to take to get them. Protecting the birds had become a dangerous job. In fact, Guy Bradley was fatally shot on duty when confronting poachers. In his obituary, he was eulogized as the first martyr in bird protection.