Michael is a designer from Miami, Florida, whose creative work centers on the intricate interplay of heritage, ecology, and technology in producing architectural form. He strongly believes that architects need to do more to reclaim agency over how buildings are constructed and necessarily push the discipline's engagement with embodied carbon. Michael’s research recognizes the urgency of the environmental crisis and explores alternative building materials for a more sustainable future.
He is pursuing a Master of Architecture degree at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, having previously earned a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from Cornell University. Michael has been trained at several award-winning design practices, including Atelier Cory Henry and Kevin Daly Architects in Los Angeles; Dash Marshall in New York City; French 2D in Boston; and Bamboo Living in Pahōa, Hawai’i.
Bamboo Living, Pahoa, HI, US, Architecture Intern
Led the design of a prefabricated bamboo microhome, from concept to design development. Drafted numerous drawing sets for ongoing residential projects and participated in a building assembly.
Atelier Cory Henry, Los Angeles, CA, US, Architecture Intern
Researched and identified slave trade networks, migration, and historic plantations. Produced GIS Maps at county, state, and national scale for the proposal of an interstate Heritage Trail and Community Center.
Shin Shin, Los Angeles, CA, US, Architecture Intern
Producing drawing sets and 3D model of a 19th Century Los Angeles villa for a renovation project.
Kevin Daly Architects, Los Angeles, CA, US, Architecture Intern
Worked primarily on the design of a single-family residence and the façade of a four-story community center. Fabricated models to iterate design schemes, primarily working in the woodshop and laser cutting.
Dash Marshall, New York, NY, US, Architecture Intern
Assisted in the schematic design of an art gallery and restaurant in a historic warehouse building. Iterated design schemes in Rhino, created presentational renderings, and investigated building code requirements.
Aerogel Architecture Awards, 3rd Place
Awarded Third Prize in the Student Category for the design of a Glass-Brick Aerogel Facade for Harvard's Carpenter Center for Visual Arts
The Salata Institute Travel Grant, Grant
Awarded a $1,000 grant for research of glass facade systems in Chicago, Illinois and the visit to Frank Lloyd Wright's Johnson Wax Factory in Racine, Wisconsin.
Radcliffe Student Engage Grant, Grant
Awarded a $1,500 grant to support research of bamboo construction projects in the state of Hawaii, with an emphasis on pre-fabricated methods and off-grid living, and analysis of post-disaster conditions in Lahaina, Maui.
Joint Center for Housing Studies Research Grant, Grant
Awarded $7,000 to support the field investigations of built works, research of bamboo pre-fabrication methods and supply chain, and design of living bamboo structures for deployment in high-risk areas across Hawai'i.
Harvard Southeast Asia Scholar, Scholarship
Awarded $4,000 grant for travel and research of Southeast Asian bamboo propagation, design, and construction with Bamboo.
The RAMSA Travel Fellowship Finalist, Nomination
Awarded a $1,500 grant award for field investigations of vernacular Polynesian construction methods, with a focus on the documentation of bamboo construction methods in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Hong Kong.
Aerogel Architecture Awards, 2nd Place
Awarded Second Prize in the Student Category for the design of a Aerogel-ETFE Roof Membrane System for Harvard's Gund Hall.
Victor & William Fung Foundation Fellowship, Scholarship
Awarded $4,000 grant for the documentation of post-Colonial Christian Architecture across the grey borders of Hong Kong, Macau, and Mainland China.
John Mead Howells Fellowship, Scholarship
Awarded tuition and research stipend for four years of Master of Architecture I study at Harvard GSD.
CIHF Design Innovation Challenge, 2nd Place
Awarded Second Prize for the redesign of Cornell's Physical Science Building's Rooftop Garden and Atrium.
Melissa and Robert Lewin Award, Grant
A $4,000 grant to sponsor participation in archaeological excavation as a drafter in Pompeii, Italy.
