What led you to a career in architecture?
Sarah: I was born in Brazil in the 1980s, a time of economic instability, when our homes were small and far from ideal. From an early age, I became aware of how deeply our surroundings affect how we feel. I was always rearranging rooms, decorating, or setting the table beautifully to make things better. When I was nine, my dad brought me architecture and décor magazines, and I taught myself to read floor plans. I started drawing homes that felt “just right” for us—spacious, comfortable, and with enough bathrooms for everyone.
Art also came naturally to me; I loved painting and drawing, and my teachers encouraged that creativity. By the age of 11, I already knew I wanted to be an architect. My sister still jokes that she envied how I always seemed sure of my path, even as a child.
How has your work in architecture influenced the way you view the world around you—cities, people, or even nature?
Sarah: Early in architecture school, reading The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs, completely changed how I viewed design and the world around me. Jacobs championed vibrant, people-centered cities where homes, shops, and workplaces coexist—creating lively streets and spontaneous community life. Growing up in Brazil, I had seen the opposite ideal embodied in Brasília, our meticulously planned modernist capital. Its wide avenues, monumental plazas, and rigid separation of uses were visually striking but often dull and not pedestrian-friendly. That contrast opened my eyes to how urban design shapes human experience and taught me that architecture isn’t just about form or beauty, but about fostering connection, belonging, and joy.
What do you think differentiates JLA from other firms when it comes to our approach to design?
Sarah: What stands out to me about JLA is the firm’s genuine commitment to human-centered, context-driven design. Many firms talk about designing for people, but JLA seems to live that philosophy—balancing creativity with practicality and truly listening to the needs of both clients and the community. There is collaboration and curiosity in our process, which I think results in work that is authentic, thoughtful, and deeply connected to its surroundings.
What advice would you give young designers just starting out?
Sarah: I’d tell young designers to stay curious and observant—pay attention to how people live and move through spaces, not just to what looks beautiful on paper. Architecture is as much about listening and understanding as it is about creating.
I’d also remind them that it takes time to develop your voice and confidence. Be patient with the process, ask questions, and learn from everyone around you—contractors, clients, and colleagues alike. Each project, even the small ones, teaches you something valuable.
And finally, don’t lose your sense of wonder and purpose. It’s easy to get caught up in deadlines and technicalities but remember why you were drawn to design in the first place.
What are you currently working on?
Sarah: One project I’m currently working on is Ravenfield, an affordable senior housing development in Brighton, Colorado. What’s especially noteworthy about this project is its efficient and replicable design. It includes 46 units across four apartment types, carefully planned to balance functionality, comfort, and cost-effectiveness. The project is currently in the construction documents phase, and the intent is to replicate the same building design for a future Phase 2, streamlining both time and resources while maintaining quality and livability for residents.
Sarah Carvalho is a Senior Project Specialist in JLA’s Denver Office. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture and Urbanism from the University of Paraíba Valley, in São Paulo, Brazil. Sarah has been with JLA since 2022.
About Eye for Architecture
Welcome to Eye For Architecture, a blog series that brings you behind the scenes and into the personal journeys of professionals shaping the built environment. From early inspirations and academic challenges to pivotal projects and lessons learned on the job. Eye For Architecture offers a candid look at the journey, the passion that drives their work, and how each team member found their own eye for architecture.