For Amber Mortzfield, the path to architecture was non-linear. After studying mechanical engineering and sustainability during her undergraduate studies and working in the automotive industry for four years, she realized that she wanted a career where she could express her artistic and empathetic traits. After exploring various potential career paths, Amber revisited her interest in architecture. “Architecture surfaced when I revisited content from the ‘Architecture, Sustainability, and the City’ course I took during my undergrad program, reminding me of the creative opportunities architecture provides in reshaping our experience of the built environment and its impact on our world,” she said. “Through conversations with architects, I discovered the discipline offered the balance I was searching for – a way to blend sustainability, engineering, human-centered design, and artistic expression.”
Amber is currently working towards her Master of Architecture degree at University of Michigan and is the 2025 recipient of MAF’s Leslie D. Tincknell Scholarship. For Amber, winning this scholarship meant that someone believed in her and her journey. Leaving her career as an engineer to take a leap of faith into architecture was not an easy decision, she said “I had many hesitations regarding my ability to be an architect and the financial burden of pursuing graduate school.” She continued, “This generous support will enable me to focus more on my studies and explore what my future in architecture will look like.”
Amber, who recently finished the first year of her program, appreciates the supportive community within her cohort and Taubman College the most. “Being surrounded by classmates with various passions and backgrounds has provided me opportunities to learn and be inspired by them daily,” she said. “I’ve also had the opportunity to work with several amazing faculty members at Taubman College, who have helped me find what is working well in my projects and push these ideas even further.”
Amber’s favorite thing about architecture is that it sculpts the everyday world we live in. “In the past, present, and future, architecture is what creates our cities and homes. It is what intertwines our relationship to one another and our surrounding environment.”
One of Amber’s favorite works of architecture is the Populus hotel in Denver, Colorado by Studio Gang. One of the project’s key features is the eyelet openings, which resemble the form of Colorado’s Aspen trees and are optimized for daylighting, shading, and rainwater management. “I love how this project beautifully integrates biophilic features, embodies the identity of Denver, and pushes the boundaries of environmental stewardship in the hospitality industry,” she expressed.
The variety of projects Amber could design helped to draw her to architecture. As she explores what type of architecture she would prefer to design, she enjoys the continuous challenge of practicing human-centered design, and its ability to empathize with various communities. Currently, she has an interest in adaptive reuse projects, “as they not only pose potential sustainability benefits, but also a unique creativity challenge to honor a site’s history while adapting it to meet current and future needs.”
As part of their MAF Scholarship application, students must include a personal statement describing their interest, experience and plans related to architecture, and their leadership and extracurricular activities. In her application, Amber shared her journey and discovery of architecture. As well, she expressed how she would leverage her multidisciplinary background to reimagine how sustainability can impact our built environment.
Amber has an impressive and extensive list of leadership and extracurricular activities. She has worked as a Graduate Success Partner through U-M’s Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives, where she provided support to underrepresented undergraduate students. She was also a Graduate Student Instructor for an architecture course where she helped to support students and their curiosity in sustainable architecture and planning.
Amber is currently a member of U-M’s AIAS chapter and the Michigan Yoga Club. As well, she is an alumni and former project lead of the BLUElab Sa’ Nima’ Collaborative student project team, which helps to co-develop sustainable projects in Guatemala.
Students are also required to submit a personal portfolio with their application. “In my portfolio, I included works from my studio courses so far: in the Summer Foundation studio, I questioned how architecture informs the power dynamic in which animals are perceived through nuances in space, visibility, and interaction. In the Form studio, I examined how curved spaces influence collectivity and privacy in collective dwelling. In the Situation studio, I explored how tilt-up concrete construction can revise our understanding of history and place in Toronto.”
Additionally, she included drawing sets from her Construction course, where she studied the construction of Casa Poli by Pezo von Elrichshausen. Amber also included some of her personal artwork, including watercolor and oil paintings, and ceramics.
Michigan Architectural Foundation’s mission is to advance awareness of how architecture enriches life. How does Amber think architecture enriches life? “I believe that architecture enriches life by creating a sense of place and laying the groundwork for shared lived experiences,” she said. “Architecture provides a means to experience culture, art, and even emotions – from awe and wonder to calm and belonging. Buildings and cities that are well and intentionally designed contribute to our collective happiness, community, and wellbeing.”