NTHS member and BYF Scholarship Recipient, Danielle Dawson knew she wanted to be an architect from a very young age. Growing up in Trinidad, she saw many people in her community build their own homes – an experience that sparked her interest in architecture.
Watching people create spaces that reflect their needs and culture inspired her to pursue architecture, with the dream of designing and building her own home one day.
“I want to make architecture more accessible and sustainable, especially for communities where self-built homes are common. By using tools like Revit, AutoCAD, and smart design solutions, I hope to help people create better, more efficient homes without excessive costs. For my community, I want to share knowledge and inspire others to build with confidence and sustainability in mind,” she said.
After serving in the United States Army, Danielle obtained her associate degree in Architectural Technology from Fayetteville Technical Community College in North Carolina this spring. She plans to build a career designing affordable and sustainable homes.
In 2025, Danielle was named a recipient of the BYF Scholarship. Each year, through NTHS, BYF awards at least five $2,000 scholarships to students pursuing construction-related careers.
“I hope to make a lasting impact,” Danielle said. “I want to help others turn their dream homes into reality, just as I plan to do.”
