2026 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Alex Eastland, ICON Architecture, Inc.

"Driven by a lifelong passion for design and STEM, Alex brings rigor and empathy to every project. In a little over three years, she has grown into a licensed architect and an integral member of our team. We have been consistently impressed by Alex’s commitment, passion for sustainable design, and expanding expertise in Passive House principles, all evident in work that blends innovation, technical skill, and a deep dedication to community-focused architecture."

What inspired you to pursue a career in your industry, and what path brought you to your current role? From a young age, I was drawn to design and STEM subjects, though my direction became clear as a teenager when I discovered architecture. In college I fell in love with architectural concepts such as sustainability, adaptive reuse, and affordable housing which shaped my professional focus. My current role reflects a blend of my passions and skills, integrating energy modeling, universal design, transforming existing structures, and low operational and embodied carbon design to help serve the vulnerable in our communities.

What accomplishment or project so far in your career are you most proud of? I am so proud of our 4 Mellen St. project. It started in design in our office the same summer I started my career after graduating and its development has reflected my own over the last few years. It’s an adaptive reuse of a historic Second Empire Mass Ave landmark and includes a Passive House addition, creating 29 affordable family units. The project integrates universal design, historic restoration, and whole-building carbon life cycle analysis. Now in construction, it’s incredibly rewarding to see it come to life and will forever hold a special place in my heart.