I was born in Philadelphia where my family lived for the first ten years of my life. The northeast seemed to have more squalor in the 70's and 80's than it does today. It seemed normal to me having graffiti on our church, or believing the beaches of New Jersey were tropical paradises. From there, my family moved to Texas where I lived for fifteen years before moving to Los Angeles in 1999 for grad school.
The antiseptic suburban landscapes I lived in as a teenager, tailored more to business models than to human needs, seemed to lack some of the authenticity found in the grit of the large old cities. These places have shaped my understanding of culture, cities, and the potential of architecture to make a difference. The built environment is one of the most critical ingredients to the progress of our world. I believe this with every fiber of my soul. The shape of our cities and the buildings in which we live will either elevate, or depreciate the potential for enlightenment and production in the people inhabiting them.
My favorite aspect of architecture is seeing people in an unfamiliar place discovering the intersection of beauty and function. It is at that moment of understanding, when people 'play' in their environment, not unlike a child exploring a playground. This is when architecture has fulfilled more than just the program requirements and has fully evolved into an art form.
Design Quarry Inc., Principal
This is my own company. I provide architecture services to a range of clients from developers, architects, and people just trying to visualize a new idea. Many of the companies I worked for as an employee later hire my company to lend a hand with their projects.
AECOM, Designer
At AECOM I worked on master planning studies for large $1bil+ corporate campus projects. I wrote master plan design guidelines and coordinated with various sub-consultants and owners. Other projects ranged in scope from tenant improvements,1.6 million square foot corporate campus designs, and mid to high-rise core and shell design.
Gruen Associates, Designer
While at Gruen Associates I worked on site analysis, computer modeling, physical model making, construction drawings, presentation renderings, and coordinated client / architect and consultant meetings. I worked on the design of the Olympic Police Station form pre-design to construction documents (feat. In Arch. Record 5-06). Other projects ranged from in size from 5 to 50 floors with an emphasis on condominiums and mixed use programs.
George Yu Architects, designer
I worked for George Yu whenever they needed a hand between 2002 and 2003. I worked extensively on the Max Studio store prototype which won numerous awards and was site adapted to over 50 locations around the world. George Yu was both a great man and architect.
Coop Himmelblau, Michael Volk, Designer
My responsibilities at Coop Himmelblau consisted of design work and coordinating the team for various projects. I worked on the team that designed the winning entry in the North Jutland House of Music Competition. Additionally, I worked on the Drier House in Venice, CA, the Ocean Sands Resort in the Outer Banks, N.C.
Architettura Inc., Designer
I worked on the design and the construction drawings for retail projects, and over 4000 multi-family units. I still work with Architettura-Inc producing renderings and helping with graphic design through my own company.
Competition- Vasquez Rocks Interpretive Center, Gruen Associates, 1st Place
I was a team member on this competition generating all of the presentation renderings.
Competition - Korean Airlines Luxury Lounge prototype, Gruen Associates, 1st Place
I was a team member on this competition generating all of the presentation renderings.
Competition - Asianna Plaza, Vietnam, Gruen Associates, 1st Place
I was a team member on this competition generating all of the presentation renderings.
The Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Dept., Award
This award was for Gruen Associate's Olympic police station that I worked on extensively from concept to completion.
competition - Dead Malls - Central Office of Architecture, 1st Place
I worked on the team for COA on this competition examining the phenomena and possible solutions for dead malls.
Competition - North Jutland House of Music competition. Coop Himmelblau, 1st Place
I worked on the team for this competition, helping coordinate the design and presentation of the project.
Merit Award The Dallas A.I.A. Ken Roberts Delineation Competition, Other
Drawing Competition
The University of Texas at Arlington Art Festival., 1st Place
Drawing Competition
Caput Munday drawing competition, 1st Place
Drawing Competition
Caput Munday drawing competition, 1st Place
Drawing Competition
