Architect with Cross-Cultural Experience Joins Hudson Valley Firm

Source: Construction Specifier

Ingrid Martinez, the newest designer at Tinkelman Architecture in Poughkeepsie, New York, knew she wanted to be an architect since she was a child growing up in Ecuador. Photo courtesy Tinkelman Architecture.

Ingrid Martinez, the newest designer at Tinkelman Architecture in Poughkeepsie, New York, knew she wanted to be an architect since she was a child growing up in Ecuador.

Her father was a developer and construction worker whose family included many architects. Her mother, with an interest in interior design, engaged a young Martinez in building a cardboard model of their house, complete with furniture.

“We built it together and it kind of clicked,” says Martinez. “I want to make models and draw.”

Martinez came to the U.S. when she was 13-years-old and followed her dream into architecture, undaunted by the field’s male dominance. Now, after studying architecture in several countries, and having gained seven years of experience, she is a project designer at Tinkelman Architecture.

Martinez attended the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) for one year, then transferred to the University at Buffalo (UB). For two summers as a student, she studied architecture in Spain, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.

“It was a great opportunity to immerse myself in the cultures and different types of architecture, and to experience how they solved the design issues they faced,” says Martinez. “It was fascinating to see from city to city how they have adapted architecture to meet their needs.”

While a student at UB, she designed her family’s home in Riobamba, Ecuador, which was completed in 2015. Martinez earned a master’s degree in architecture from UB and later gained experience as a project designer on public school and higher education projects, including the development of healthcare facilities.

She enjoys working on a team where the head of the company, founder, and managing partner, Steven Tinkelman, is deeply involved in every project. Founded in 1992 by Tinkelman, Tinkelman Architecture is a full-service architecture and planning firm dedicated to the betterment of the Hudson Valley, its communities, and its built environment.

At the firm, Martinez is undertaking a variety of projects in the residential sector, mixed-use, and higher education. In doing so, she will contribute to a wide variety of designs and plans Tinkelman is renowned for producing.

“Ingrid brings a wealth of experience and great energy to our firm,” says Tinkelman. “Her love of learning, positivity, attention to detail, and warm personality invigorate our team approach and the work we produce. She will collaborate wonderfully with our clients to bring their visions to life.”

Martinez is devoted to encouraging people from marginalized communities to explore architecture as a career. She is a founding board member of the architecture, construction, and engineering (ACE) mentorship program of Western New York.

Martinez moved to Newburgh, New York in 2020, marking her return to the Hudson Valley, where she had previously resided college. With Spanish as her native language, she looks to open up new opportunities for Tinkelman Architecture throughout the community.