Ellie Muckstadt did not drift into architecture. She chose it early and then worked relentlessly to earn a spot at one of the top architecture programs in the country.

Today, she works at a high-end residential architecture firm in St. Louis, Missouri. She prepares construction documents for permit submissions, often revising drawings many multiple times to satisfy municipal requirements. Each city section and neighborhood in St. Louis has its own rules, like setback limits, height restrictions, and historic preservation guidelines. Her work requires fluency in both creativity and regulation. A south-facing storefront may need carefully angled awnings to protect interiors from harsh sunlight. A historic district may prohibit altering a façade. Structural decisions must align with code. Every drawing carries responsibility.

Ellie’s story is about persistence and determination—of long nights and early mornings, of calculations, code compliance, and careful detailing. Architecture, as she begins to practice it, is not abstract. It is specific, regulated, environmental, and deeply human.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE ABOUT ELLIE PUBLISHED IN THE SUMMER 2026 MILLBROOK MAGAZINE