My name is Katie May Godkin. I was born and raised in the beautiful city of Derbyshire England. Growing up i was surrounded by the beauty of historic buildings and the restoration process in order to breath life back into historic structures. Upon my move across the seas to Orlando, Florida i began to realize how much architecture had a missing identity. What was architecture? Who was the Architect? Why were people so concerned with building new, poorly constructed buildings instead of appreciating historic structures and the true meaning of what architecture has always stood for.
Upon graduation of high school, i decided to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design. It was a dream come true to have this opportunity to begin my studies in Historic Preservation. As i began my degree i began to meet architectural professors and discuss the course of attaining my Masters Degree in Architecture. I was very opposed to the idea as my 4 years of living in a town of cookie cutter houses had deferred my understanding of what architecture had become in the 21st Century. After a few architectural courses and persuasive discussions with passionate professors i changed my degree to architecture.
Throughout my 4 years of architectural classes in order to attain my Bachelors Degree i became more and more interested in community work and rehabilitation architecture. Numerous trips to Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina to help communities architecturally touched my heart and i found my place of being within the big world of architecture. Now became the challenge of putting my passion to work for my Masters Degree in Architecture the following year.
Upon my graduation in May 2009, i began emailing numerous contacts whom were involved in work internationally in places such as Africa and South America. By July 2009 i was on board an airplane headed to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. My destination was a southern city named Barahona, that houses examples of some of the most poverity stricken environments we see worldwide today. I remember the first trip to a Batey Village, home to many Haitian families whom work the sugar industry. I could not believe my eyes and my work began. At the end of May 2010 i had a fully designed community village that was designed based around the people and children of these villages. It truly designed for the people of Barahona and was handed over as a finsihed project and story in December 2010.
Now begins the next chapter of my life within the Dominican Republic. Working as the new Technical Advisor for a non-profit organization called COPA in Bombita. The opportunity to work within COPA and the Dominican Republic is a dream come true that was very unexpected. I was happy to accept the job offer in October of 2011 and to become a resident of Bombita in December 2011. I will be working and living in the Dominican Republic, in which time i will not only bring hope to the community i will be living within, but i will be gaining love, knowledge, wisdom and hope from the people themselves. I know this is my starting place within the architectural world as i strive to become an activist design and to rehabilitate not only communities but individuals lives. Learning and growing as a Techincal Advisor for COPA will enable myself to grow as an individual and designer, leading me fourth into my future career endeavours.
My dream is to attain a full-time position as an architecture intern within a firm that is aware of current demographic and environmental conditions. To explore the connections between the architect and the user, within the work environment of a design firm in order to become an activist within design. Ultimately learning within a hands-on environment, which will enable myself to grow as a designer.
Community Partners Association, Barahona, Dominican Republic, Technical Advisor
Coordinating and promoting the following work:
To be responsible for the trade training rooms and to arrange similar courses to those followed previously and be responsible for introducing new ones. Seeing that the training rooms are equipped for the purpose, liaise with local training organizations, encouraging them to undertake new courses in order to expand the range of skills taight. Responsible for seeing that safe procedures are observed. Teaching new courses in area of expertise (architecture, construction) and promoting courses in the village.
To be responsible for the maintenance of COPA's property, working with the Principals of the schools to encourgae them to identify maintenance issues and supervise the maintenace staff by working with them on more difficult tasks, giving them training necessary to fulfill their roles more effectively.
To identify tasks for workgroups who visit the COPA project from time to time and by working with them see that they have a worthwhile experience and work to do which contributes to the project.
To assist with all new construction. When major new builds are undertaken a volunteer civil engineer is sent out to the project. Immediately before the arrival of this person and during the first weeks of the new project this engineer needs the support of the technical advisor to locate materials, negotiate prices, identify local labor, advise on local procedures and generally assist in matters with which they may not be familar.
Building Drops LLC, Architecture Intern / Office Manager
Worked on numerous architectural projects, such as 3D modeling and Renditions of windows and doors. Produced all graphics for the company including company brochures. Answered all phone calls for the office and worked as the office manager, controlling all appointments, meetings, pay roll, accounts payable and accounts receivables for the company.
Savannah College of Art and Design, Architecture Student Mentor
Attained the position as a mentor for two SCAD Architecture students. Teaching and training these students to achieve educational goals within their degree, as well ad providing time management skills in-order to be successful within a professional environment.
Savannah College of Art and Design, Volunteer Architecture Teachers Aid
Aided Professor of Architecture Lorraine Montgomery in Design Studio II. Aided studio work days to help students with their work, provided extra help, as well as teaching graphic presentation skills. Participated in a studio field trip to Pass Christian, Mississippi, to help aid student in attaining site analysis skills. Provided help and critique time to students upon request.
Savannah College of Art and Design, Volunteer Architecture Teachers Aid
Aided Professor of Architecture Christine Wacta in Design Studio I. Aided all studio work days to help students with their work, whilst helping the professor to teach, critique and grade. Provided outside help and critique time to students upon request.
JT Turner Construction Company, Intern
Interned with the Director of the Downtown Division, working on numerous construction projects. Helped manage job sites, LEED projects and performed construction tasks. Gained experience in construction and project management, as well as learning how to collaborate in a team environment and prepare for client meetings.
Savannah College of Art and Design, MArch, Architecture
Attained my Master of Architecture from Savannah College of Art and Design in May 2011
Savannah College of Art and Design, BArch, Architecture
Attained my Bachelor of Architecture from Savannah College of Art and Design in May 2010.
The Parkers Companies Endowed Scholarship 2009-2010, Scholarship
The Parker Companies Endowed Scholarship is awarded annually to the architecture candidate who best combines scholastic achievement with a design philosophy that supports structural excellence and aesthetic cohesion within existing environments.
Combined Honors Scholarship 2009-2010, Scholarship
