Archinect
Alan Kirkwood

Alan Kirkwood

Olympia Fields, IL, US

 

About 

I am a recent MArch graduate in of Southern Illinois University. I received my bachelors degree from here as well. Previously I attended school in Chicago at Harold Washington College where I received my associates degree also with a concentration in architecture. I have had a well balanced educational training including structures courses, building technologies and a wide variety of design studio types. Revit Architecture is my primary program used in construction documents, conceptual massing and rendering. I am currently working on my master's thesis project which is combining a new found interest in development and urban planing with building design and how it relates to people on a human scale within a suburban context. I am focusing on suburban downtown redevelopment as well as a transit community and new bike paths that will tie the new in with the history of the village. The project goes beyond just the immediate suburb but also how it ties in with its adjacent suburbs and to the regional planning for the Chicagoland area provided by CMAP. I have recently held an internship for a couple months in a local firm, but I am beginning to look for future employment for when I complete my work at SIU and seek a new experience in a large city environment.

Employment 

Baysinger Design Group, Carbondale, IL, US, Intern

I worked here as an intern over Spring Break and was asked to stay on to work as needed on a project doing on-site measuring at a VA Hospital and working on real time drawings in Revit Architecture along with a 3D model for all the buildings on the hospital campus.

Mar 2014 - May 2014
 

Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL, US, Graduate Assistant- Teacher's Assistant

This served as a Graduate Assistantship position where I was the assistant to the teacher of the building systems course for the online architectural masters program. I organized lectures, created exams and set up examples of the expectations for the completion of the course.

Also as a Graduate Assistantship position, I was the assistant to the teacher of the senior level undergraduate architectural urban design course. I had one on one desk critiques with the students, set up for presentations and helped organize a trip to their site in Texas.

Sep 2013 - May 2014
 

The Disney Store, Chicago, IL, US, Sales Associate/Store Visual Assistant

I worked as a sales associate, cashier and helped processed shipments in stock along with doing inventory and overnight floor moves and store interior designing where I helped organize fixtures, rearrange shelves and displays and change the Michigan Avenue window displays.

Aug 2007 - Aug 2011
 

Education 

Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL, US, MArch, Architecture

Recently finished the last portion of my thesis and defended in mid July 2014. My area of focus is Suburban redevelopment, and the project is creating a new master plan/ long term development plan along with a new look for Matteson, Il, a suburb south of Chicago.

Jun 2013 - Jul 2014
 

Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL, US, Bachelors, Architecture

I was a member of AIAS during these 2 years.

My group reached the third and final round of the Scibe, Bromley By Bow design competition in London in 2012.

Aug 2011 - May 2013
 

Harold Washington College, Chicago, IL, US, Architecture

I received my Associates degree as well as an architectural draftsman certification form here.

I was recognized as a member of Phi Theta Kappa.

Jun 2009 - May 2011
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills