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Contributing Editor (formerly Senior US Editor)
2015 – present
Jenna serves as a senior contributing editor at Dezeen. Having helped launched the influential publication’s New York office — its first outside of London — she now produces daily stories about architecture and design across the Americas. Jenna works in tandem with her European counterparts to bolster Dezeen’s global reach. Popular among design professionals and informed consumers, Dezeen’s website draws over two million unique visitors per month, and its social media platforms have nearly four million followers.
Jenna has produced more than 500 stories for Dezeen. Top performing news articles include the unveiling of Bjarke Ingels' design of Two World Trade Center, the opening of LA's Broad museum by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and a report on a micro-apartment tower in New York City. Feature stories include a review of the best TED Talks on architecture, an interview with noted lighting designer Bec Brittain, and a reappraisal of the Mario Botta-designed San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Here is Dezeen's coverage from the US and here are some of Jenna's recent posts.
All screenshots @ Dezeen
Digital Editor
2013 – 2015
Jenna was the first digital editor at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, one of the world’s largest and most influential architecture firms. Founded in 1936, SOM’s portfolio includes the Sears (Willis) Tower, Burj Khalifa, and One World Trade Center. Jenna managed the firm’s representation in the digital realm, from overseeing the launch of an award-winning website to crafting and executing a global social media strategy. Jenna was responsible for helping lay the foundation for a new department within SOM, which entailed building a team, establishing infrastructure and protocols, and educating staff and firm leaders about the critical need for a strong and well-curated online presence.
Traffic increased 25 percent following the launch of SOM's new website in February 2014. The firm also gained a substantial following on its social platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, LinkedIn, and Medium. Two related achievements by SOM's Digital Team include organizing and executing a successful Instagram contest to celebrate the opening of One World Trade Center and hosting a panel discussion with top journalists to discuss the impact of digital media on architecture.
All screenshots @ SOM. Event photo © Lucas Blair Simpson, SOM
Digital Media Consultant
2015 – 2016
Jenna provided digital media services to the Carnegie Corporation of New York, a leading grantmaking foundation that was established in 1911 by the industrialist Andrew Carnegie. Its goal is to support the advancement and diffusion of knowledge worldwide, and its current areas of focus include international peace, education, and democracy.
As part of her work with the Corporation, Jenna produced an interactive feature about higher education in Africa. Containing videos, slideshows, a timeline, a map, and other components, the multimedia story explores the Corporation’s long legacy of work with scholars and institutions of higher learning across the continent.
All screenshots @ Carnegie Corporation
News Director, Web Editor
2007 – 2012
Jenna began her design journalism career at Architectural Record, the esteemed magazine founded 125 years ago by McGraw-Hill. She worked at the publication for five years, starting as web editor in 2007 — a time when media outlets were just beginning to explore and define the digital realm. In addition to writing and editing stories, Jenna oversaw blogs, created e-newsletters, and produced videos, among many other responsibilities. She climbed the ranks to news director, a role that entailed managing all print and online news coverage, overseeing special sections, and writing feature stories about avant-garde buildings worldwide. She also was a key contributor to digital initiatives.
During her tenure at the magazine, Jenna was a leader or member of editorial teams that won eight Neal Awards, in categories such as best website (for archrecord.com), best multimedia coverage (for an in-depth package about the recession's impact on architects), and for best single issue (for an edition devoted to the topic of humanitarian design). She also was the recipient of a McGraw-Hill Corporate Achievement Award, which recognizes outstanding employee performance.
All screenshots © Architectural Record
Editor in Chief
2012 – 2013
Jenna served as editor in chief at Architizer, a leading digital platform for architects, designers, and design enthusiasts. Its robust website offers both editorial content and a rich database of architectural projects and products. As the site’s first official editor in chief, Jenna oversaw all content, managed a growing team of employees and contributors, and worked with the company’s founder, sales director, and chief creative officer to establish goals and strategy.
Jenna initiated popular features such as Building of the Day and Top 10s, which capitalized on content within the Architizer project database and generated high traffic numbers. She oversaw content-sharing partnerships with publications such as Huffington Post and CityLab (formerly The Atlantic Cities), and she collaborated with the sales and marketing departments to develop competitions and sponsored content campaigns. She also helped launch the A+ Awards, a design awards program that annually receives more than 1,000 entries from around the globe.
All screenshots © Architizer
Jenna's stories have appeared in publications such as Architectural Record, Architectural Digest, Architect's Newspaper, Architizer, Dezeen, Metropolis, The Atlantic's CityLab, Crain's, Businessweek, and The New York Times.
Below is a broad selection of writing samples. In some cases, the story may look weird because of a website flaw, or you may need a subscription to gain access. If you have any issues, please send an email to: jennaMmcknight@gmail.com.
News articles for Dezeen: Jenna produces stories about architecture and design around North and South America. You can view her latest ones here.
Architects Envision Ways to Make Restaurants Safe During the Pandemic: Architects and designers across the globe are exploring how to mitigate contagion spread within dining establishments. Architectural Record, June 2020
Can Tiny Homes Help Solve America’s Big Homelessness Problem?: The tiny home movement is taking on a new dimension, as micro dwellings are being deployed to address a major humanitarian issue: homelessness. Architectural Record, July 2017
Serpentine Pavilion in London by Diébédo Francis Kéré: For his latest project, the award-winning West African architect drew inspiration from a majestic tree in his native village. Architectural Record, February 2017
Homes for a Changing Planet: Collegiate teams present their eco-friendly housing prototypes for the 2017 Solar Decathlon. Architectural Record, October 2017
14 Airport Hotels for the Design-Savvy Traveler: These properties are much more than a place to rest your head on a lengthy layover. Architectural Digest, May 2016
Exploring Africa's Creative Landscape: The Philadelphia Museum of Art aims to enrich perceptions of Africa through a sweeping presentation of art, architecture, and design. Architectural Record, May 2016
Francis Kéré Envisions a New Parliament House for Burkina Faso: The award-winning architect, who was born in the West African country, has proposed a dramatic new capitol to replace the former one destroyed during a 2014 revolt. Architectural Record, October 2016
Architecture for Humanity Sued for $3 Million: The founders and board members of the nonprofit organization, which shut down in 2015, are accused of mismanaging funds. Architectural Record, July 2016
Cabins in the Sky: For a rustic retreat in Baja’s wine country, Gracia Studio perches a series of cubes on a hill, offering panoramic views of the fertile valley below. Architectural Record, June 2012 *
Orange Cube: Located in a former dockland in Lyon, France, this six-story box, with its conical gashes and pulsating orange veil, is the life of the party. Architectural Record, May 2011 *
Suite Design: Jenna M. McKnight checks into four high-design hotels in New York, Illinois, Hawaii, and Arkansas. Architect's Newspaper, June 2014
Bringing It All Back Home: A firsthand look at how Diébédo Francis Kéré has used architecture to transform his rural village in Burkina Faso. Architectural Record, June 2014 *
Just What the Doctor Ordered: Diébédo Francis Kéré’s latest project brings much-needed medical care to a remote area in Burkina Faso. Architectural Record, August 2015 *
Raising the Grade: After a decade of progress, Africa is experiencing a narrative of optimism. But maintaining that progress largely depends on the success of the continent's institutions of higher learning. Carnegie Corporation, December 2015
Starbucks: Good Design is Good Business: What started in 1971 as a small stand in downtown Seattle has evolved into a global enterprise. Architectural Record, May 2012 *
Rising from the Rubble: The 2010 Haiti earthquake caused severe damage to the bustling Iron Market. Thanks to a remarkable restoration, the bazaar is back in business. (I produced an accompanying video: Haiti's Iron Market) Architectural Record, February 2012 *
Haiti Post-Disaster: Architects are making slow but steady progress in this troubled Caribbean nation, over two years after a deadly earthquake leveled countless buildings and left more than a million homeless. Architectural Record, March 2012 *
990 Offices: Tucson has its share of generic strip malls and sprawling subdivisions. As a native of the desert city, architect Rob Paulus has long aspired to buck the development trend, focusing instead on urban infill, adaptive reuse, and sustainable design. Architectural Record, February 2011 *
The Pro Bono Payoff: Providing free architectural services can be tough, but many firms say the benefits make it worthwhile. AIA Architect, July 2016
Architects as Developers: A look at several firms in New York that act as both the developer and architect, an unusual strategy that has rewards and drawbacks. Crain's New York, December 2013
How Can Architects Survive the Recession? For those who have lost their job, or fear losing it, the near future does not look promising. There are strategies, however, that architects can employ to ensure their longevity in the profession. Businessweek, March 2009
Top 250 Architecture Firms 2011: In this ranking of US firms by revenue, titans have maintained their lead while the industry continues to feel the ripples of the recession. Architectural Record, July 2011 *
Architecture in the Recession: United Arab Emirates: Architects descended upon Dubai, eager to capitalize on its feverish building boom. But while the city's sprawling skyline is still dotted with cranes, the market here has fizzled. Businessweek, April 2009
Phoenix: The Green Frontier: After decades of rampant growth in this desert city, sustainability is the new frontier. GreenSource, November 2009 *
Desert Dreamer: A tireless visionary, Paolo Soleri is best known as the mastermind of Arcosanti, a prototype city in the Arizona desert that was conceived as an alternative to sprawl. GreenSource, November 2009 *
The Sun Always Rise on HDTV. The New York Times, October 2006
In a Speck of Dust, a World of Chaos. The New York Times, September 2004
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