Sofia Fonseca de Niño
With more than 20 years of experience in pre-design and strategic alignment services — Workplace Strategy, Programming, and People Engagement for architectural projects — Sofia brings a unique insight into the research and training needs facing real estate, facilities, and workplace professionals.
Present Experience
Founder and Chief Muse, KYO Consulting Inc.
Adjunct Faculty, University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design
Memberships
Member of the Board of Directors, Magnolia School
Member of the Board of Directors, 4word – Houston
Publications
Parshall, Steven, and Sofia Fonseca. “Towards Wellbeing: Hospital Evaluation Using the Problem-Seeking Method.” Building Performance Evaluation: From Delivery Process to Life Cycle Phases. Ed. Wolfgang F.E. Preiser et al. 2nd ed. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing AG, 2017. 231–247. Print.
Fonseca, Sofia. “Workplace Tools that Build Trust.” FMJ IFMA. January / February 2017: 64-67. Print.
> Download PDF - Workplace Tools that Build Trust
Fonseca, Sofia. “Designing an Emotionally Intelligent Workplace.” FMJ IFMA. March / April 2015: 96-100. Print.
> Download PDF – Designing an Emotionally Intelligent Workplace
Peña, William M., and Steven A. Parshall. Problem Seeking: An Architectural Programming Primer. Ed. Sofia Fonseca De Niño. 4th ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2002. Print.
Presentations
Fonseca, Sofia. “Architectural Perspective of an Artist.” Forma110cuarted – I.R. Bach. I Want to Know, May 2018, Houston.
Fonseca, Sofia, and Ashley Chiarelli. “Algorithms for Life.” KYO Express Book Club. March 2018, Houston.
Fonseca, Sofia. “Unconscious Bias.” Women in Architecture 2018 Equity Series. Bias: Exploring the Role of Unconscious Bias in Professional Advancement, March 2018, Houston. [Video of Presentation]
Fonseca, Sofia. “Leadership Training in a Climate of Uncertainty.” Philadelphia Summit. CoreNet Global, October 2016, Philadelphia.
Fonseca, Sofia. “Leadership Training in a Climate of Uncertainty.” Amsterdam Summit. CoreNet Global, September 2016, Amsterdam.
Fonseca, Sofia. “Stages of My Career (CRS, Independent Consultant, Mom, Teacher, etc.).” Rowlett Lectures: Careers in Pre-Design. Texas A&M University – CRS Center, April 2016, Houston.
Fonseca, Sofia. “Emoji Mastery: Emotional Intelligence in the Engagement of Employees and Transformation of our Workplaces.” Murray Hill Institute – Texas, February 2016, Houston.
Fonseca, Sofia. “Emoji Mastery: Workplace as a Tool for Engagement.” Global Summit. IFMA, October 2015, Los Angeles.
Fonseca, Sofia. “Emoji Mastery: Workplace as a Tool for Engagement.” Global Summit. IFMA, September 2015, London.
Fonseca, Sofia. “Emotional Intelligence.” Thought Leaders Series. IFMA – Houston Chapter, June 2015, Houston.
Fonseca, Sofia. “Sustainable & Innovative Spaces that Work.” Houston Green Office Challenge, March 2015, Houston.
Media
“Meet Sofia Fonseca de Niño of KYO Consulting.” VoyageHouston. November 2017. Web.
“How Meeting Rooms Can Transform Companies.” Blueprint, presented by CBRE. May 2016. Web.
“Multi-Generational Work Environment.” Assemble. July 2015. Web.
“All Together Now: Designing an Office for Different Generations.” Metropolis. July 2015. Web.
“5 Workplace Trends: Learnings from the Houston Green Office Challenge.” Energy Efficiency & Sustainability Consulting. April 2015. Web.
“How to create an ’emotionally intelligent’ workplace.” Building Design+Construction. April 2015. Web.
“People: Texas & Louisiana – Sofia Fonseca.” ENR Texas & Louisiana. February 2015. Web.
“Comings & Goings: Design Professionals on the Move – Sofia Fonseca.” The Editor at Large. January 2015. Web.
“HOK Names New Vice President, Regional Leader of Workplace Strategy.” Interiors+Sources. December 2014. Web.
“People in Business – Sofia Fonseca.” Chron. December 2014. Web.
Education
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA – Master of Architecture
University of Houston, Houston, TX – Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design
Certification
MIT Sloan School of Technology Executive Program – Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy
Prosci Change Management Certification