My name is Alexander Hadley, and I am an architect/designer based in the NYC area. This fall, I graduated from The Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) where I got my masters in advanced ecological buildings and biocities (MAEBB). The program emphasized ecological circularity and environmental sensitivity as the basis of design, and gave me hands on fabrication and design experience culminating in the construction of a fully functioning house prototype. Before going to grad school, I worked for three years professionally as a landscape architect and design professional in Philadelphia, where I received a comprehensive introduction to drafting construction documents, site surveying, site grading, water flows, plant schedule management, client-contractor coordination, material research and 3D modeling for professional purposes. Having worked as both an architect and landscape architect, I have a fluid understanding of the dynamics that coordinate to create a holistic project, as well as a native understanding of the design development process for both landscape and architectural purposes. In addition to my design work, I have also spent lots of time developing my skills as a writer, and was published twice this year in architectural periodicals on the topic of ecological design and sustainability. I am incredibly motivated by sustainable design practices who use their influence to include ecological and sustainable considerations in their work.
Jonathan Alderson Landscape Architects, Wayne, PA, US, Landscape Designer
Jonathan Alderson Landscape Architects is an award winning landscape design firm specializing in high end residential, institutional and recreational projects with an ecological emphasis. While working at JALA, I received a comprehensive introduction to site grading, water management, plant palettes, hardscape and drafting for construction. I also spent lots of time on site doing survey and creating RFP's and marketing materials. JALA put a major emphasis on sustainable landscape practices like rain gardens and native planting palates, which has informed my design sensibilities considerably. I was mainly involved in drafting in AutoCAD, modeling in Rhino3D and Lumion, quantifying and coordinating in Excel, and creating marketing and client materials using Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.
Terra Studio LLC, Philadelphia, PA, US, Junior Architect
Terra Studio is an urban design studio located in Center City, Philadelphia. While working there I was involved in several residential renovations of rowhomes within the city and houses in the surrounding suburbs, as well as institutional work for churches and high rise buildings. This experience introduced me to drafting and site survey, documentation for construction and how to assemble detail drawings. It also gave me an opportunity to use my 3d modeling skills in a professional capacity. I was primarily drafting in AutoCAD, modeling in Rhino3D, and creating renders with Photoshop and Illustrator.
IaaC - The Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Valldaura Labs, MArch, MAEBB
The Master in Advanced Ecological Buildings and Biocities (MAEBB) postgraduate program is an immersive academic program focused on learning how to design and build a new generation of buildings and cities to respond to the planet’s emerging climate challenges. The program was carried out in Valldaura Labs in Barcelona, located in the Collserola forest. The program culminated with the completion of a full scale functional house prototype, constructed entirely out of wood sourced from within the forest. Students got hands on experience carrying out the design and construction of this structure, combining traditional methods of carpentry with advanced digital modeling and fabrication.
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, US, Bachelors, Bachelors of Science in Architecture
The Temple University architecture program takes place within the Tyler school of art, giving it a multidisciplinary element that combines artistic practice with traditional architectural studies. The program focused on 3d modeling and advanced representational techniques while remaining centered on mastering composition, understanding form, and incorporating program and context into our design work.
