Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Potts Lang.
Hi Heather, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
After finishing grad school at Georgia Tech, I worked briefly in Brooklyn, New York, before returning to Atlanta. I started my practice in January of 2019, focusing initially on small commercial projects such as tenant build-outs, including some at The Beacon. During the pandemic, commercial work dried up, of course, but residential work was exploding. Everyone was stuck at home, becoming painfully aware of the inadequacies of their space and losing patience with their work-arounds. I began working on several residential addition and renovation projects, which quickly came to make up the majority of my practice. Now, I occasionally work on commercial projects, but homes have become my specialty.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been a fairly smooth road, with obstacles of course, but nothing defeating or insurmountable. It took some time to learn to collaborate with contractors and engineers, to build my network of consultants, and to establish an efficient process of doing work. Bringing on employees has introduced the challenge of team management, but it has also offered the opportunity to build strong mentor/mentee relationships.
We’ve been impressed with Potts Lang Architects, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Potts Lang Architects specializes in single family and small-scale multifamily housing, working primarily in Metro Atlanta and coastal Georgia. We prioritize adaptive reuse projects and the preservation, rehabilitation, and restoration of existing structures. Our work promotes responsible lifestyles, sustainable design, advancements in accessibility, ethical building practices, and healthy community development.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I’ve spent five years as a guest lecturer teaching architecture design studios at Georgia Tech. As in any design profession, the business elements can often overshadow the creative elements, with artistic opportunity forfeited for the bottom line. Teaching helps mitigate that loss, as engaging the limitless imaginations of the students is uniquely revitalizing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pottslang.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/pottslangarchitects
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/pottslang
