I have been involved in every stage of building construction and contract negotiation, from writing proposals through Construction Administration, as well as hands-on construction in the field. My knowledge of construction methods includes wood & steel framed buildings clad in wood siding, wood shingles, masonry, cementitious rainscreen, and stucco, and buildings with a hollow clay tile infill within a concrete superstructure.
I thrive in a team environment, both as a leader and team member. My personal organization and attention to detail ensure project standards are consistently surpassed. I have been personally involved in the creation & distribution of construction administration documentation standards, CAD drafting standards, and overall digital & hard copy filing conventions. The design & drawing technique that I use and teach is highly specific for control in detailing and desired construction methods; drafting of everything from basics of waterproofing overlap down to layout of tile grout lines is typical.
My experience with client, consultant, and agency interaction, schedule tracking, and extensive bid comparisons have furthered my understanding of both the effects of specific design details on project cost & timeline, and the political aspects of successfully bringing a design to completion. Firsthand experience with residential and institutional clients has allowed for my involvement in multiple fee negotiation processes, and review and adjustment of prime contracts. My personal interaction with each and every person involved in the design & construction process has grown to be the most motivating and fulfilling aspect of my career.
Kelly Sutherlin McLeod Architecture, Inc., Long Beach, CA, US, Project Coordinator
Responsibilities include team management, architectural design and drafting, detailing, product research and specification, review and negotiation of contracts, historic research, firm marketing, proposals and responses to RFPs, and coordination of in-house technical equipment specifications and maintenance.
Key projects and experience:
- Prime point of contact and coordinator with clients, contractors, consultants, agencies and trade experts
- Involved in more than 25 projects, with multiple projects running concurrently
- Manage projects which are locally or nationally registered, including coordination of historical design review processes and ensuring all permits and approvals are obtained from governing agencies
- Direct on-site investigations of existing buildings to determine project scope and original conditions, finishes and materials
- Manage cost estimation and/or bidding processes to assist client in selection of project scope, phasing, and construction administration services
- Assist institutional clients by providing materials which explain the importance of building maintenance or restoration, and to gain approval for the recommended scope of work from their executives
- Review and document buildings for completion of Historic Structure Reports
- Manage KSMA members and consultant team for completion of a Master Plan for future implementation for a 33,000 ft2 museum
- Create documents and perform research for approval of Certificate of Appropriateness to reconstruct
Case Study House No. 10
- Manage team and complete on-site documentation and historic research for early residences designed by Charles and Henry Greene, and for residences designed by Alfred and Albert Heineman
- Perform and manage research of building materials used during original construction of historic structures
- Broaden archives for historically significant architectural projects through research, on-site documentation, and oral interviews of current homeowners and original homeowner’s family
ARYA Group, Inc., Los Angeles, CA, US, Job Captain
Primary responsibilities included feasibility studies for prospective development projects and drawing production from schematic design through permitting for single family residences located on sites regulated by the Los Angeles Baseline Hillside Ordinance, including:
- 3,800 ft2 significant residence remodel, including coordination of Coastal Commission review
- 6,000 ft2 residence remodel, including new deck, gym, and pool
LivingHomes, Santa Monica, CA, US, Junior Project Architect
Worked on all phases of multiple single-family and multi-family residential projects designed by Ray Kappe, KieranTimberlake and LivingHomes. All projects achieved LEED-H Gold or higher. Primary project was a Ray Kappe-designed 3-unit residential building (LEED-H Platinum) located in Northern California.
Experience under licensed architect:
- Drafting 80% of a 44-page Architectural CD set in Revit.
- Coordinating Structural, MEP and Civil Engineer consultants for permit submittal and CD completion.
- Project Management: Led competitive bidding process and became primary client and consultant contact.
- Construction Administration: shop drawing review, visits to Utah-based fabricator, and team coordination.
LivingHomes, Santa Monica, CA, US, Consultant
Experience under licensed architect and lead Project Manager:
- Performed prototype research and development, and managed real-time prototype fabrication during a client meeting with a nationally prominent development company; successful prototype construction directly contributed to LivingHomes teaming with the developer who was present during the live fabrication
- Participated in design of new multi-family LivingHomes development in a Northern California historic district
- Identified efficient building blocks for future designs by analyzing previous designs for patterns. i.e. reoccurring designs in kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms that could be mixed and matched, reducing design time and increasing construction efficiency by utilizing repeated details and layouts
David Heide Design Studio, Minneapolis, MN, US, Intern Architect
Responsibilities included architectural design and drafting, marketing, advertising, firm identity creation and in-house technical equipment specification and maintenance. Experience included consistent client and contractor interaction as well as being the point contact with publication editors.
Key projects and experience:
- Construction administration duties and primary project contact for 5,000 ft2 residence remodel
- Contributed to design and CD production for approximately 10 single-family residential projects
Meyer Scherer & Rockcastle (MS&R), Minneapolis, MN, US, Architectural Model Fabricator
Understanding the design process came from creating architectural models: schematic design to final presentation. Interaction with project managers and firm principals created a wide variety of opportunities in addition to model creation, such as project presentations and construction of internal office projects.
Choice Wood Company, St. Louis Park, MN, Construction Laborer
Personally completed on-site work for all stages of residential construction: site work, demolition, framing, and finish work of interiors and exteriors. Field work on eight projects provided invaluable exposure to the complete construction process, providing an understanding of physical construction and the relationship between designers and the contractor’s team.
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, US, Masters, MArch I
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, US, Bachelors, Bachelor of Science in Architecture
