Ellen Geller Kamaras
“Why architecture? I knew I wanted something creative. I took an interior decorating class in 10th grade, but it wasn’t for me. That year, I volunteered to redo the SBH food pantry and designed the plans, a contractor was hired, and I worked and supervised the project. I found out that I wanted to design houses, not decorate them.” – Renee
Please meet Renee Mizrahi, the first architect interviewed for this column.
Renee is a warm, energetic, organized, ambitious, and talented woman, who wears many hats daily. Organization, planning, and flexibility are the keys to her success.
Let’s step back and follow Renee on her journey to becoming a wife, mom, and architect.
Childhood
Renee comes from a close Sephardic family. She is the daughter of Karen and David Cohen and is a graduate of both Magen David Yeshiva Elementary School and High School. Renee has an older sister and brother and a younger brother.
As a young child, Renee was playful, but as she grew up, she leaned more towards the shy side. “I was quiet in school, took my schoolwork seriously (big rule follower here!), and had a great group of friends.” Renee was an honors student in high school. Her next academic step was Pratt Institute, School of Architecture where she earned a five-year accredited degree.
Renee was fortunate to meet her soulmate, Victor Mizrahi, two years her senior, at MDY High School. They were married when Renee was in her third year at Pratt, during the winter break. The couple lives in Brooklyn with their three children, seven, five, and three, who all proudly attend their parents’ alma mater.
Family and Career
To gain experience and knowledge in the architectural field, Renee interned for different architecture or engineering firms during the summers and time off. She looked to determine what kind of firm would be the right fit for her. Renee loved the corporate atmosphere.
However, once she graduated college and thought about starting a family, she understood that she needed a sustainable and long-term position outside the corporate world. Renee desired a role that would afford her the flexibility of being an observant Jew and raising a family.
After graduating Pratt with a Bachelor of Architecture, Renee set the goal to study for her architectural exams, put in the required hours, and become a licensed architect.
To become a licensed architect, one must graduate an accredited architecture school, work under a licensed architect for three years, and pass six exams.
Renee’s first position post-graduation was in an architecture and design firm. Soon after, she became the project manager for the firm’s community-based projects, for example, one-family homes, schools, and shuls. She managed the one-family homes throughout Brooklyn and NJ. Renee stayed at that firm for seven years.
“Being a working mom, I have learned that sometimes the path may be longer and/or different than you anticipated.”
When Covid hit, Renee had a newborn daughter and a toddler son to care for while maintaining her full-time job.
Every minute of her “free time” was occupied with being with her children and catching up on work. Renee had to put a pause on studying for her last three licensing exams. She had started her exams after she had her first child and passed three exams by the time she had her second child.
After giving birth to her third child, Renee took some time off from work to focus on being a mother, and to finish up her exams. “I passed my last exam when my youngest daughter turned one, and shortly after, I started my own architecture and design firm. I began working on projects and continued to work on one-family homes.”
Passions and Accomplishments
Renee has a passion for working with families and designing their dream homes. She enjoys meeting with clients and fine tuning the designs to create spaces specific to each family, in a way they can enjoy and love their home. “When I see the client is happy, it makes it all worth it.”
“I learned that every family is different, has different needs, and being able to efficiently and effectively design spaces for those families is something I will always enjoy. It inspires me that every project brings new challenges, and I am always learning and growing.”
Renee explained that every project has its unique challenges, and some days completely focus on problem solving. “Whether it is a design challenge, a restriction with zoning or the building department, or conflicts that arise throughout construction (or all the above!), it can be stressful. The job is not only about design. Yes, it is a big part, and the creative part, but it is also about communicating with the clients, and with the contractors throughout the entire process so your designs and your ‘design intent’ is carried through. I am always amazed how much more I can grow, how much more I can learn, and how many amazing people I meet during every project.”
Personally, Renee says her proudest moments will always be her family, raising her children, and being there for them. Being a mother is her most honored and joyful achievement.
Professionally, reaching her goal of becoming a registered (licensed) architect and starting her own firm is her most rewarding accomplishment.
Mentors
Renee’s boss at her last architectural firm was a wonderful and uplifting teacher and mentor for seven years. He understood and supported her goals of becoming a licensed architect and starting her own firm.
Both her parents and her husband had a tremendous influence on Renee. As a high school student, when she told her parents she wanted to pursue architecture, they encouraged her, helped her, and even pressed Renee to push through and keep going her when college got tough.
Renee’s husband was her cheerleader and nurturer. Victor came to her college studio while she was building models, brought her dinner, sat with her, and was there for her. He was also on board with Renee opening her own firm. “Whenever it would get hard, I had an incredible support system that was always there for me.”
Renee’s Essence
Renee’s friends describe her as organized, efficient, hardworking, ambitious, and reliable. I would add warm, positive, energetic, flexible, and resilient. She has developed and honed both her technical and people skills in dealing with her one-family home clientele, the contractors, interior decorators, and the building department personnel.
Renee has an immense passion and positive energy for both her family and for her architectural projects. She maintains a high level of professionalism and dedication to client service.
Work-Life Balance
How does she sustain that positivity and vigor with her family and work?
“My work-life balance has shifted throughout the years. With every one of my children, I had a different ‘balance.’ Having my own firm makes it more challenging but I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
Renee spends one full day a week in NJ, doing on-site visits and meeting with clients, contractors, and other key players. Her three children are all in school now.
When she returns home in the late afternoon, Renee spends quality time with her children. “From 4 to 7pm, I take limited phone calls and spend that time playing with my kids, making and giving them dinner, doing homework, and preparing for bedtime. Once my kids are settled, I will catch up on the emails, texts, and whatever work needs to be coordinated. I do my best every day to be there for my children and husband, being a mother and a wife, while at the same time being there for my clients. My clients know I will respond when I can, and I will always get back to them.”
Renee’s children know that Mommy is an architect and they understand that she works longer when she is in NJ. She has visited their classrooms and done architecture projects that the students have enjoyed.
Her son says he wants to be a builder so he can build the houses Mommy designs.
To unwind, Renee enjoys Pilates and her family time, especially on weekends.
She has been involved with Propel Network and has spoken at their events. Renee views Propel as an amazing resource for women in the community.
Parting Advice
“No matter what field you go into, choose something you are passionate about. Be willing to learn new things and grow. Life happens and may delay certain plans, but it doesn’t mean that you give up. It will happen when it happens.”
Connect with Renee at renee@rmarchitecturegroup.com and follow her on Instagram @rm.architectureanddesign.
Ellen Geller Kamaras, CPA/MBA, is an International Coach Federation (ICF) Associate Certified Coach. Her coaching specialties include life, career, and dating coaching. She can be contacted at ellen@lifecoachellen.com (www.lifecoachellen.com).