My name is Evan Parness, and I’m a graduate of Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning and the School of Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan where I studied Architecture and Sustainability. I have focused my post-graduate career in the fields of Architecture and Sustainability, but have additional experience in the fields of Photography/Videography, Editorial Publication, Carpentry, Music Business, Graphic Design, Freelance Art Commissioning, Audio Engineering, Web Design, and Live Performance Set / Lighting Design.
I aspire to take on every challenge that comes my way, addressing problems I see in the world through conscious design and lifestyle that works in harmony with the natural environment. I believe in the power of innovation for helping humanity achieve a sustainable and healthier built environment. I believe it is necessary to use architecture to address environmental and social justice. I am motivated to utilize my passion for design and sustainability to improve life within our built environments.
I’m was the Creative Director for SHEI Magazine: a student-run editorial print and digital fashion publication, President of Empty Mug Records: a student-run record label, an artist, musician, videographer, set/lighting designer, and a New Yorker.
I’m a co-founder and project manager for the New York Says Thank You Foundation, a non profit specializing in disaster relief through art therapy, community rebuilding projects, and bringing together survivors of tragedy to pay forward the help to future communities. NYSTY has worked with hundreds of thousands of volunteers in communities around the world, rebuilding homes and community centers after natural disasters, and spreading art created by volunteers globally to communities in the wake of natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and tragedies, inspiring hope and perseverance.
My full Portfolio website is available at: www.evanparness.com
To contact me, please email me at: eparness@umich.edu
And to stay in touch on social media, follow my instagram where I post a lot of my work: @evanparness
Architectural Resource, Ann Arbor, MI, US, Intern
Working on the Design Development and Embodied Carbon mitigation strategies for a residential farmhouse in Ann Arbor, MI striving to have net-zero emissions. Creates schematic design documents, Organizes product research and communications with manufacturers, Calculates emissions of materials used in assemblies.
Evan Parness Designs, New York, NY, US, Artist / Founder
Comissioned as a Freelance Photographer, Videographer, Graphic Designer, Painter, Photo / Video Editor.
Earthship Biotecture, Taos, NM, US, Student / Builder
Studied and Constructed off-grid housing built from natural and recycled materials with passive heating/cooling design, renewable energy generation, water harvesting / sewage treatment, & greenhouse food production.
New York Says Thank You Foundation, New York, NY, US, Co-Founder
Co-Founder of Disaster Relief non-profit. Public Art Projects Team Leader, Construction volunteer, Art Therapy Coordinator, & Foundation Spokesperson / Ambassador. Rebuilt homes, community centers, animal rescue shelters, etc. in 20+ communities impacted by disaster around the US. Featured in “New York Says Thank You” Movie, 2011 Tribeca Film Festival.
CTL Group, New York, NY, US, Associate - Architecture and Building Science
Responsible for Construction / Repair Drawing Sets across all projects, Conducted Local Law 11 FISP Inspections via suspended scaffoldings, Facilitates Non-Destructive Testing on building enclosures for water mitigation, Consults on Building Envelope Efficiency, Sustainability, and Maintenance, Organized communication with clients.
MP+R Arquitectos, Ann Arbor, MI, US, Junior Architect
Created Construction Drawings, Details and Official Documents, 3D Models, Graphic Representations, and Co-Designed Residential Projects in Murcia, Spain, and Brooklyn. Updated Drawings of firm’s existing projects.
SHEI Magazine, Ann Arbor, MI, US, Creative Director
Direct, Conceptualize, Organize, & Create Collaborative Artistic Projects (Photoshoots, Videos, Articles) across all Editorial Teams of SHEI Magazine, a Student-Run Fashion, Arts ,Culture Print & Digital Publication. Print Photo Editor (‘19-’20), Street Style Photo Editor (‘18-’19), Photographer (‘17-’18).
Empty Mug Records, Ann Arbor, MI, US, President
Lead teams to Record, Produce, Distribute & Market Music, Create Music Videos, Live Sessions & Press Photoshoots, Book Venues & Organize Concerts and Events as a Student-Run Record Label working with local artists.
Alfred Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning - University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, US, Research Assistant
Conducted Site Research, Analysis, Surveys and worked off of original construction documents to build Scaled 3D Models of Buildings, Public Plazas, and Parks across NYC used for Technical Drawings in Assistant Professor of Architecture Ana Morcillo Pallares’ Book “Manhattan’s Public Spaces,” Published by Routledge, 2022.
LANDMARK WEST!, New York, NY, US, Design Intern
Created Interactive Digital Database for Historical Preservation of Upper Manhattan. Produced Drawings of Massing & Zoning Regulations for Participatory Design Meetings between Community Activists and City Planners / Developers. Graphic Design work for educational materials.
Princeton International Properties, New York, NY, US, Photographer / Website Designer
Photographed Properties & Curated Commercial Website.
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, US, BArch, Architecture
I recieved a Bachelors of Science in Architecture, and a Minor in Environmental Sustainability. I graduated as a James B. Angell Scholar (GPA 3.98), and was awarded first place in the 2021 Leonard B. Willeke Portfolio Competition.
Leonard B. Willeke Portfolio Competition, 1st Place
This competition is of the academic architectural Portfolios for all students in the architecture program of Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Michigan.
