Archinect
Kolleen Kmiec

Kolleen Kmiec

Los Angeles, CA, US

 

About 

Architectural Designer from Los Angeles, California. Attended the University of Southern California's five year accredited Bachelor of Architecture Program and graduated in 2013. Worked in a variety of offices, including an international Architecture Design firm in Valletta, Malta, and for a Developer, Caruso Affiliated in Southern California.

Professional experience includes over three years at a Design Build, high-end modern residential firm in Los Angeles, Marmol Radziner. I have worked on a variety of small and large scale projects, collaborating daily with a team of consultants on residential, commercial, retail, hospitality and public projects. Working on projects located in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Puerto Rico, I thrive in an internationally collaborative environment and seek an opportunity for this in the next position. 

Employment 

ARK Design, LLC., Los Angeles, Co-Owner, Design Partner

Design Partner of the Architectural Design firm, ARK Design, LLC. Focusing on modern residential projects in Southern California, including a 4,000 SF four-story remodel in Los Angeles and a 2,000 SF two-story remodel in Cheviot Hills.

Jan 2016 - current
 

Marmol Radziner, Los Angeles, Architectural Designer

Retail:
Designed a new brand identity and unique store concept for Oliver Peoples optical shop in San Francisco. Worked on the project from initial design concepts to Construction Documents to Construction Administration. Our team worked in collaboration with various artists to create bespoke furniture and display pieces.

Retail:
Developed the design of a two-story Vince retail store in Columbus, New York. Created 3d Revit and Sketch-up models and assisted in detailing through the Construction Document phase. Worked to preserve the historic facade in order to obtain approval from the Landmarks Commission.

Hospitality:
Designed, in collaboration with a team of two other Architects, multiple structures for a large Hospitality project in Puerto Rico. Designed eight unique modular hotel units, to be repeated throughout the site, for 56 total keys. Coordinated site access, grading, pathways, programming and views on a master planning level. Determined ADA access, IBC requirements, construction details and material specifications on a more detailed level. Developed Construction Documents for each of the structures, including Foundation and Core and Shell packages, along with building and site packages (currently in progress).

Community Park:
Project Architect for a community park project in Irvine, California. Developed the project from initial concept sketches to full design development sets for six separate structures. Worked daily in collaboration with the Landscape Architects on design, siting, grading and functionality. Attended weekly project management meetings with the Developer, Landscape Architects, Civil and Structural Engineers and Lighting designers.

Educational:
Project Architect on a two-story, ground-up construction of an Educational Teaching Kitchen in Santa Monica, California. Coordinated daily with a team of Structural, Civil and MEP Engineers, Landscape Architect and a Kitchen consultant. Developed the project from Schematic Design, to Construction Documents, currently in progress.

Jun 2013 - Sep 2016
 

Marmol Radziner, Los Angeles, Architectural Intern

Residential:
Worked as an Intern Architect on multiple single family residences located in Malibu, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and Stamford, Connecticut. For each residence, I developed design presentations, revit modeling, sketches and material specifications for the design phases. During the construction document phases, I created custom details, aided in value engineering and assisted in the completion of construction document sets for city submission. Furthermore, I worked on the design for a condominium unit at the Carlyle Hotel in New York City. Created and modeled multiple design schemes and coordinated final renderings for client meetings.

Assisted in the Construction Administration process for a two-story residence in Crescent Heights, managing and answering daily RFI's.

Proposals Manager:
Prepared preliminary Programs, Budgets, Schedules and Contracts for multiple potential projects. Project types ranged from single-family residences to boutique restaurants, retail shops and wineries.

Sep 2011 - May 2013
 

AP Architecture Project, Valletta, Malta, Architecture Design Intern

Worked at an international office, collaborating with a team on a modern rooftop canteen addition to an existing historic building. I experimented with various lighting and modeling techniques to develop the perforated metal facade. Created 3d models and drafted drawings during the design development phase.

Secondly, I assisted a team of Architects with various drawings on the Renzo Piano Gateway project in Valletta, Malta.

Jun 2011 - Aug 2011
 

USC Fisher Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA, US, Prepatory Assistant

As a Preparatory Assistant I helped curate and organize various art exhibits in the Fisher gallery, including the Pacific Standard Time Exhibit. Prior to each exhibit, I prepared the gallery by patching and painting the walls, as well as installing new typography. I helped design and build various custom display boxes and stanchions. I installed large scale artwork and sculpture for each gallery show, as well as throughout the campus.

Sep 2010 - May 2011
 

Caruso Affiliated, Los Angeles, Leasing Intern

As a Leasing Intern, I performed daily property management operations throughout the Grove and the Americana at Brand. I helped develop various marketing strategies to promote the new apartments and condominiums at the mixed use retail center, the Americana. Performed market research to determine optimal potential retailers for the centers.

Jun 2010 - Aug 2010
 

Caruso Affiliated, Los Angeles, Architecture Intern

As an intern I was mainly focused on a Hospitality project, the Miramar Hotel in Montecito, California. I created design presentations and historical research for multiple city hearings. Attended city hearings in Montecito to aid the progression of the project within the community.

Jun 2009 - Aug 2009
 

Education 

University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, BArch, Architecture

Intensive five-year undergraduate Architectural curriculum at an accredited University, with a nationally ranked Architecture program. Consisted of five years of Architectural design studio courses, supplemented by architectural history, theory, computer applications, mathematics, and professional practice among other courses.

Thematic Options Honors Program, participant and graduate in the exclusive advanced reading and writing courses in lue of general education at the University of Southern California. Focusing on classical, historical and philosophical literary works and analytical and creative writing.

Delta Delta Delta, Theta Xi Chapter member and Historian, Architecture Brigades member

Sep 2008 - May 2013
 

Pepperdine University, Florence, Italy, BArch, Sacci Study Abroad Program

Pepperdine Sacci Study Abroad Program in Florence, Italy
Lived in a villa in Florence and traveled throughout Italy for sixty days. Studied the Italian language, Art History and Italian Architecture with the Pepperdine Sacci program.

Jun 2011 - Aug 2011
 

Awards 

Avi Gesundheit Traveling Fellowship, 1st Place

Sole recipient of the Avi Gesundheit Traveling Fellowship. Traveled solo for thirty days, to thirteen cities throughout Japan. Studied various Architectural vernacular, comparing Eastern and Western architectural design.

2016
 

Remote Year Participant, Other

Participant in the Remote Year program. Traveled with 75 working professionals throughout Southeast Asia for six months. Worked remotely for my own Architectural design company, ARK Design, LLC. while living in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia.

2016
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills