Archinect
Meghan Dufresne

Meghan Dufresne

Quincy, MA, US

 

About 

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

With a wide base of knowledge, I have worked as an architectural designer, adjunct professor, writer, editor, and marketing specialist for over 10 years. I am looking to obtain a position in the architecture and design industry. 

ARCHITECTURE WORK EXPERIENCE

Architectural Designer and Lecturer, The Institute for Human Centered Design, Boston, MA 
Feb 12-Present
Schematic design, existing condition study and documentation, generating construction documents,
designing coursework and lecturing on universal design and accessibility in architecture for the ADA.

Architectural Designer & Writer, Innovative Collaborations, Boston, MA   
Sept 05-Apr 12
Generating AutoCAD and hand-drawn plans, elevations, and sections from schematic design
through construction documents. Construction administration and project management, budgeting
and accounting, pricing furniture and materials. Writing and designing marketing materials,
proposals, presentations, mailings, portfolio, and web site content.

Architectural Designer, DACON/PDA Associates, Natick, MA     Jan 08-Oct 09
Schematic design, creating presentation graphics, construction documents, construction
administration, finish selection, site design, sustainable design, graphic design. I moved to this
position with my boss from Archdesign when it closed in January 2008.

Architectural Designer, Archdesign, Inc., Braintree, MA    
May 06-Jan 08
Schematic design, project management, producing construction documents & administration,
condo documents, renderings, editing and arranging web site, budgeting, feasibility studies,
zoning, finish selection, submittal review, correspondence with clients, consultants and subcontractors.

Adjunct Professor, Suffolk University, New England School of Art and Design, Boston, MA 
Sept 05-Sept 06
Developing and teaching computer drafting with AutoCAD. Reviewing work and advising students.

Editor, School of Architecture, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL  
Aug 01-May 05
Writing, editing, proofreading, designing, distributing the weekly newspaper for the School of
Architecture. Interviewing and photography. Writing weekly articles for the School’s web site.
Managing student staff.

Summer Architecture Intern, Archdesign, Inc., Braintree, MA    
May 04-Aug 04
Writing and designing marketing materials, schematic design and construction documents, office
management.

Summer Architecture Intern, The Design Initiative, Boston, MA    
May 02-Aug 02
Building models, drafting, marketing, office management, furniture coordination for Steven Holl’s
Simmons Hall at MIT.

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Senior Editorial Assistant, MIT News Office, Cambridge, MA     
Oct 00-Aug 01
Writing, proofreading, editing and graphically laying out MIT Tech Talk, web site, and news
releases.

Web Site Producer, Infosis Corporation, Quincy, MA     
Jun 00-Oct 00
Using image mapping software and databases to create high volume web sites such as Neiman
Marcus and Washington Post.

Faculty Assistant, Harvard Business School, Boston, MA    
Apr 99-Jun 00
Assisting Emeriti faculty with research, courses, and publications.

Copy Editor / Proofreader / Editorial Assistant, Clinicians Publishing Group, Clifton, NJ 
Feb 97-Feb 99
Medical research and transcription, proofreading and editing medical articles.
 

AWARDS, HONORS, AND PUBLICATIONS

• 2011 Environment on the Move Blog started: http://environmentonthemove.wordpress.com
• 2010 Restroom research quoted and published in the U.S. Congressional Record
• 2009 Became a LEED Accredited Professional
• 2009 Published in "Ladies and Gents: Public Toilets and Gender"
• 2009 Completed NCARB Internship Development Program.
• 2009 Top submission for Dwell magazine's 'Parkitecture' contest
• 2008 Won fashion design contest at Heartbreaker Fashion
• 2007 Journal of Planning Literature article published on restroom design
• 2004 Finalist for the Chicago Prize in Architecture
• 2004 Research featured in Beijing and at the Environmental Design Research Association Conference in NM
• 2004 Article published in Licensed Architect
• 2001-2005 Tuition Waiver and stipend to attend the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign
• 1996 Graduated Boston University Cum Laude
• 1992-1996 Founders Merit Scholarship for Boston University
• 1992 Golden Key National Honor Society


COMPUTER SKILLS

AutoCAD, Revit, ArchiCAD, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, MS Office, 3Dmax


EDUCATION

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL                              2001-2005                                                                             
Master of Architecture  

Boston University             
Boston, MA                                     1992-1996
Bachelor’s Degree in English, Minor in Visual Arts                

Simpson Gumpertz & Heger
Waltham, MA           2010
Structural Design Exam Preparation

Boston Architectural College                                             
Boston, MA               2011
BIM, Revit and ArchiCAD Courses                


PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

USGBC LEED Accredited Professional 10274422
NCARB
Institute for Human Centered Design
New England ADA Center

Employment 

Institute for Human Centered Design / New England ADA Center, Boston, MA, US, Architectural Designer / Lecturer / Writer

I assess projects for social accessibility, and at this position I have worked on schools, cities, universities, housing complexes, single family houses, government buildings, healthcare facilities, and corporate buildings.Projects have included Harvard Medical School, Stonehill College, City of Charlotte, SC, Zakim residence, Mission Park apartment complex, BAC firehouse building, Spaulting Rehab, Doble Engineering, Strathcona Condominiums.

I travel to the six New England states to give a four hour lecture on reading floor plans for accessibility at conferences, city halls, and for disability councils. I also evaluate homes for the Home Modification Loan Program around Massachusetts.

I am trained on website accessibility and write narratives and alt text for web pages, including the National Endowment for the Arts.

Feb 2012 - current
 

Education 

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, US, MArch, Architecture

Part of an accelerated Master's degree program with a tuition waiver and stipend.
Design Specialty, Sustainable design, Landscape design, furniture design, History, and Preservation, Structural studies and Practice.

Aug 2001 - May 2005
 

Boston University, Boston, MA, US, Bachelors, English

Founder's Scholarship, graduated cum laude, minor in visual arts.

Sep 1992 - May 1996
 

Areas of Specialization