Responsibility is the key to design. All designers, whether they be architects, urban planners, or urban designers, must be held accountable for the results of their work. We create spaces and places for people, not for ourselves. Therefore, it is imperative that we realize the current paradigm in which we live, recognize when and where issues occur, and do the best we can with the tools given to better the situation for the public that we serve.
With this in mind, I set forth on the cusp of beginning my career as an architectural and urban designer, with the goal of changing the world for the better. After taking urbanism classes both at the University of Illinois and the University of Michigan, my main focus is eco-regenerative urban design and architecture and how to facilitate responsible urban design practices with building construction and planning. The synthesis of these separate, yet closely related fields is not always easy or possible, but I hope to put the knowledge I’ve gained to use to inspire designers and non-designers alike to strive for a more sustainable, responsible life.
Legat Architects, Inc., Chicago, IL, US, Project Associate
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, US, Graduate Student Instructor
Responsible for leading a discussion section for ARCH 357 - Architecture, Sustainability, and the City under Professor Douglas Kelbaugh. I facilitated discussions, grade weekly reading assignments, and prep for class each week.
Legat Architects, Inc., Gurnee, IL, US, Student Intern
During my summer at Legat Architects, I assisted with the following projects:
Liberty Towers Renovations: coordinated with the Project Manager and the Owner to create a set of construction documents for an interior finish renovation of a 7-story elderly housing apartment building.
Swim City USA - worked with the project team to create an initial set of drawings during the Conceptual Design phase and eventually segue into Schematic Design for as new natatorium complex to be jointly operated by Swim City USA and the St. Charles Park District.
Elgin Academy Master Plan: worked with the school board and community to put together focus groupsand provide design options for a total renovation of the Academy's 3 main academic buildings in order to provide students with a 21st-century learning environment.
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, US, Graduate Student Instructor
Responsible for leading a discussion section for ARCH 357 - Architecture, Sustainability, and the City under Professor Douglas Kelbaugh. I facilitated discussions, grade weekly reading assignments, and prep for class each week.
Legat Architects, Inc., in, Waukegan, IL, US, Student Intern
Responsible for assisting project architects for the following projects:
Delnor New Life Mitigation - assisted with Construction Documents for Delnor Community Hospital in Geneva, Illinois
CLC A/B Renovation - Field Measurements and Documentation for the re-roofing portion of the renovation of the College of Lake County's A and B buildings
Legat Architects Gurnee Studio - I coordinated and took part of the schematic design team, worked in Revit to design the new office space and update changes, and took field measurements/documentation of the new space.
Legat Architects, Inc., Waukegan, IL, US, Student Intern
Responsible for assisting project architects with specific punchlist and design items. Projects I assisted on are as follows:
Park East Milwaukee - worked with project architect to revise construction documents and review shop drawings during the construction phase.
Centegra Health Systems - created a 3D Revit model and construction documents for an interior renovation of existing spaces into a retail pharmacy.
Waukegan Township Offices - completed a facade redesign study for the Township Office location in downtown Waukegan.
Oak Park and River Forest High School - headed a project to create a 3D Revit model of the high school and surrounding site to be used for future renovation/addition projects in the next 10 years. Worked with other architects and created a basic shell and core model using existing plans and field verifications.
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, US, MArch, Architecture
My main focus has been on urban design-oriented studios and electives to gain a better understanding of architecture's role in fostering socially active communities.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, US, Bachelors, Architecture
Successful completion of a Minor in Urban and Regional Planning as part of my bachelor's degree.
Member of the James Scholars Honors Program - I took on an extra service project or leadership course each semester to further my education and give back to the community.
Frank and Jennie M. Long Travelling Award, 1st Place
$4,000 stipend for traveling abroad during the Illinois Study Abroad Program in Barcelona, Spain
