Celebrating Women in AEC: Michelle Startt Featured in Building Enclosure Magazine – Mentorship, Inclusive Leadership, and the Next Chapter for LRS Architects
March 3, 2026
Building Enclosure Magazine is celebrating Women’s History Month this March by spotlighting women leaders in the AEC industry who are forging equality, sharing their knowledge, and creating change. We’re thrilled to share that LRS’ own Managing Principal Michelle Startt is featured this week.
Her message to future architects is simple and powerful: seek out mentorship, trust your voice, and don’t limit what you believe you can accomplish because the next generation will build on the paths we create today.
Diverse perspectives lead to more thoughtful, human-centered design because the built environment is ultimately about the people who occupy it. Interior design plays a critical role in shaping how spaces function, feel, and support daily life, from well-being and accessibility to comfort and productivity. When design teams reflect a wider range of experiences and voices, they are better equipped to create spaces that are inclusive and responsive, resulting in buildings that not only look good but truly address the varied needs of the people inside them.
This year is especially meaningful as LRS celebrates 50 years since its founding in 1976—a milestone that invites reflection on the firm’s evolution. Under Startt’s leadership and alongside other women principals, LRS has become a majority-woman-owned firm, a significant achievement in a field historically dominated by men.
Michelle’s story is a reminder that our success is built not only on the work we deliver, but on the culture we cultivate.
Thank you to everyone who contributes to that culture every day—through mentorship, collaboration, and a shared commitment to excellence.
Check out her full interview and profile here: Woman Architect and Interior Design Leader on Mentorship, Civic Projects, and Firm Leadership | Building Enclosure (subscription-based)
