Heather Whalen (Barred Owl) | FS.013
Lead with Wisdom.
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Links
Reviver Architecture & Development
Website: Reviver Architecture & Development
Instagram: @reviver.design
Recommended Reading
Good to Great, Jim Collins
In this episode of Flying Solo, Katie Kangas speaks with Minnesota architect Heather Whalen, founder of Reviver Architecture and Development. After nearly three decades in practice, Heather launched Reviver to refocus her energy on hospitality design and the renewal of existing and historic buildings. Like a Barred Owl (wise and aware) Heather provides thoughtful leadership in her work. She listens closely, studies the subtleties of a site or building, and guides clients through complex redevelopment decisions with calm, steady confidence.
Heather and Katie discuss how beginning a firm later in her career created both clarity and strength in her practice. Years of working with aging buildings helped Heather recognize the hidden risks and quiet opportunities that others often overlook. Instead of rushing toward solutions, she enters every client conversation with intentional curiosity—listening for motivations, anxieties, and aspirations that shape the heart of a project. This practice of deep listening positions Heather not only as an architect, but as a trusted guide. Her ability to read a site, understand a client’s language, and foresee potential challenges supports clients through intricate adaptive-reuse decisions. Alongside this, Heather emphasizes the importance of community, collaboration, and learning from the broader ecosystem of solopreneurs. A reminder that even independent practitioners thrive when surrounded by a strong, supportive network.
Katie highlights three key takeaways from Heather’s Barred Owl practice: the power of deliberate awareness developed through years of experience; the discipline of listening deeply before acting; and the quiet leadership that builds trust through steadiness rather than speed. These traits mirror the Level 5 leadership traits described Jim Collin’s book, Good to Great. Great leaders are humble, focused, and anchored by a clear professional will. Heather’s story shows how architects can guide clients through uncertainty, revive existing spaces with intention, and shape a practice rooted in wisdom.
013
Heather Whalen
(Barred Owl)
Season 2 of the Flying Solo Podcast is sponsored by the Minnesota Architectural Foundation, whose mission is to invest in excellence, leadership, discovery, and equity within the profession of architecture.
To join this flying solo movement, you can follow Flying Solo Arch on Instagram where Katie posts content to encourage your business life. Find out which bird defines your marketing strategy with the Bird Quiz on the Flying Solo Website.
For even more resources and encouragement, you can find all the Flying Solo episodes on the Gābl Media platform at gablmedia.com - the premier destination for podcasts about architecture and design. And if you’re looking for community, connection, and real conversations, check out the EntreArchitect Network at entrearchitect.com/ . Whether you join one of their Masterclasses or the free Facebook group, you’ll find a community of small firm architects sharing ideas, challenges, and wins - proving that while we may work solo, we’re never alone.
As Mark R. LePage, founder of Entrearchitect, says - it’s all about doing better practice and better work every day.
