I grew up in New Jersey, just outside Philadelphia, and moved to Arizona in 2001, where I spent 14 years in the Sonoran Desert. My interest in design began in high school through theatrical lighting and set design, sparking a fascination with how environments shape emotions and experiences.
After earning my Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Arizona in 2015, I interned at an interior design firm, gaining hands-on experience with proposals, client presentations, and installations. In 2016, I joined MWA Architects in Portland, OR, working on water treatment and affordable housing projects across the West Coast. Returning to Tucson in 2017, I expanded my portfolio to include residential, healthcare, higher education, and creative endeavors like photography and tour managing.
In 2020, I rejoined MWA Architects remotely, contributing to affordable housing projects. Since 2021, I’ve been with Shepley Bulfinch, collaborating on housing and healthcare projects, including campus projects for Yale New Haven Health in New Haven, student housing in Tempe and Tucson-based projects. My work combines remote collaboration, site visits, and teamwork across multiple locations.
Beyond projects, I’m an active member of Shepley Bulfinch’s Revit User Group and the Tally - Embodied Carbon Analysis initiative. I also participated in IIDA's SW Couture show as both a designer and model and taught an advanced Architecture Studio at ASU in spring 2024, focusing on systems integration and school design.
Throughout my career, I’ve contributed to diverse building types, including healthcare, housing, water treatment, and education. My expertise spans architecture, interiors, lighting design, and multimedia, bringing a collaborative and human-centered approach to every project.
Shepley Bulfinch, Tucson, AZ, US, Designer
Remote Collaboration with Boston, Hartford and Phoenix Offices
Projects:
• YNHH Neuroscience Center, New Haven, CT (CDs and CA)
• YNHH Orchard Street Garage and Pedestrian Bridge, New Haven, CT (CDs and CA)
• Rambler Student Housing, Tempe, AZ (CDs and CA)
• The University of Arizona Chemistry Renovation and the Commons, Tucson, AZ (CA)
Working with design and construction team remotely on construction documents and administration. Urban Development Group involvement, Tally Initiative for Embodied Carbon Group, Revit User Group Core member and IIDA SW Chapter Couture 2024 Model.
Arizona State University, Tempe Junction, AZ, US, Professor Advanced Architecture Studio II - 502o
Professor for Advanced Architecture Studio II - 502o
Technical Systems Integration Studio - Spring 2024
MWA Architects, Portland, OR, US, Designer
Remote Collaboration
Designing and drafting affordable housing projects:
• Good Shepherd Apartments, Happy Valley, OR
• Columbia Heights (Mercy Housing Peace Health) Affordable Apartments, Vancouver, WA
Managing city permitting processes in Oregon and Washington.
Working with construction team remotely on construction documents and administration.
Fill In The Blank LLC, Tucson, AZ, US, Spatial Designer
Architectural collaboration for:
• Tiekotter Residence, Tucson, AZ - DUST db
• Benedictine Monastery Historic Preservation and Apartments, Tucson, AZ - Poster Mirto McDonald
• U of A Marketing Center, Tucson, AZ - SDG Architecture
• Esperanza En Escalante Housing, Tucson, AZ - Poster Mirto McDonald
• Desert Christian Elementary and Middle School, Tucson, AZ - SDG Architecture
• TMCOne Tenant Improvements, Tucson, AZ - SDG Architecture
Interior residential design:
• Adams House Flip, Tucson, AZ - Shapehouse Design
• Prendergast Residence, Mollala, OR
Interior commercial design for sales lobby and showroom:
• Lexus Dealership, Tucson, AZ - Janet Fischer Design Studio
Miscellaneous projects:
• Portrait photography
• Of the Earth (botanical tattoo reference) book
• Of the Earth art show and prints
• Video Spells - personal and in collaboration with Lady Bash RMT and Mi Reina Mobile Boutique
• Summer 2019 Lunar Ritualcraft Series with The Ninth House Shop
• Modeled for The Ninth House Shop and Christina Holland Designs photoshoot
MWA Architects, Portland, OR, US, Designer
I have a diverse background that takes from interior design, lighting design, art and the larger creative process to inform my Architectural work. I work best in a collaborative setting, seeing the ultimate goal of sustainably housing those in need with a practice that reflects those same community values. Most recently, I am using 3D technology to rapid prototype design options on affordable housing projects. This use of technology is allowing better, faster collaboration on this important work.
In addition to design work, I developed presentation renderings for both housing and water treatment projects within the firm.
Projects worked on:
• Renaissance Commons Affordable Apartments, Portland, OR
• [PLYWOOD] POD Initiative, Portland, OR
• NHA Campus Redevelopment, Portland, OR
• San Luis Obispo Water Treatment Plant, San Luis Obispo, CA
• Brooklyn Basin Apartments, Oakland, CA
• Ya Po Ah Terrace, Eugene, OR
• Grand Central Bakery, Portland, OR
• MWMC Operations & Maintenance Building, Eugene, OR
• Lebanon Water Treatment Plant, Lebanon, OR
• Gladstone Square, Portland, OR
• Multnomah Manor, Portland, OR
• Sorenson-Reid Slim House Residence, Portland, OR
• The Meadows Apartments, Vancouver, WA
• Oak Harbor Clean Water Facility, Oak Harbor, OR
Liz Ryan Interior Design, Tucson, AZ, US, Design Intern
Drawing/Modeling in Revit and AutoCad
Ordering Samples
Putting together design proposals
Communication with both residential and commercial clients
Specifications
Installations
Projects worked on:
• Primo at Starr Pass Resort, Tucson, AZ
• Pantano Stables, Tucson, AZ
• Brown Residence, Oro Valley, AZ
• Dyer Residence, Tucson, AZ
• Iacino Residence, Tucson, AZ
• Ritz Residences - Model, Dove Mountain, AZ
• Starr Residence, Tucson, AZ
• Hoffman Residence, Tucson, AZ
• Walker Residence, Tucson, AZ
• Slovin-Tamber Residence, Tucson, AZ
• Schwartz Residence, Tucson, AZ
• Bates Residence, Sahuarita, AZ
• Yousefnejad Residence, Tucson, AZ
• Roberts Residence, Tucson, AZ
• Degrazia Residence, Tucson, AZ
• DDBC House 7, Tucson, AZ
• Menzel Residence, Tucson, AZ
• Sussman-Miranda Residence, Tucson, AZ
• Palmer Residence, Tucson, AZ
Worker, Inc., Tucson, AZ, US, Architectural Assistant
Site Measurements
Photographing Existing Conditions
Interior Finishing
Artistic Collaboration
Construction Documents
Falcon Theater Production Co., Tucson, AZ, US, Lighting Desinger
Theater Productions include:
All in The Timing
Cyrano de Bergerac
A Midsummer Night's Dream
