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Michael Lama

Michael Lama

Austin, TX, US

 

About 

Well traveled young designer with highly interdisciplinary training looking to gain experience developing mixed-use and transit oriented neighborhoods. Particularly desiring to apply and expand knowledge of integrated storm water management strategies and complete streets design techniques to further the creation of more resilient communities.

Employment 

Self Employed, Chicago, IL, US, Caregiver, Entrepreneur

Assisted handicapped parents with care of elderly grandparent battling dementia
Drew on language arts teaching experience to launch local, freelance tutoring service. Started business salvaging and restoring, teak garden goods and midcentury modern furnishings.

Sep 2011 - current
 

University of Texas, Austin , Teaching Assistant

Rotated as needed between courses on the architectural history, landscape history, and creative problem solving. Activities included, helping students hone critical thinking and communication skills, leading small group discussion sections, preparing presentation visuals, grading exams and papers as well as introducing iterative design processes via project based learning.

Aug 2008 - May 2011
 

Nathan Kipnis Architects, Evanston IL, Intern Architect

Developed site plans for mountaintop ecotourism retirement villages in Panama,
Profiled firm work and sustainable building methods for green design publications,
Assembled and organized green building materials library and database,

May 2008 - Aug 2008
 

BLDD Architects, Chicago, Intern Architect

Constructed building information models for dormitory addition and renovation,
Developed space planning documents for commercial office expansion,
Generated massing and facade studies for clinic addition,

May 2007 - Aug 2007
 

Harding Partners, Chicago, Intern Architect

Assisted construction management and historic preservation of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Davenport House, aided restoration of historical finishes, modernization of insulation and weatherproofing, implementation of fire prevention measures for modern code compliance, and retrofitting of structural members

May 2006 - Aug 2006
 

Education 

The University of Texas at Austin, MArch, Architecture

Aug 2007 - May 2011
 
Aug 2003 - May 2007
 

Awards 

University of Texas School of Architecture Summer Travel Scholarship, Scholarship

2010
 

University of Texas School of Architecture Graduate Recruiting Fellowship, Scholarship

2008
 

University of Illinois Chancellor’s Scholar, Scholarship

2007
 

University of Illinois Alumni Association Senior 100 Honorary, Other

2007
 

UIUC School of Architecture Donald Bergeson Energy and Environmentally Sensitive Design Award, 1st Place

2007
 

UIUC School of Architecture Earl Prize for Design Excellence Nominations, Nomination

2007
 

UIUC Campus Honors Program Summer Travel Fellowship, Scholarship

2007
 

Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society National Award of Excellence, Scholarship

2007
 

Rotary International Goodwill Ambassadorship: Japan, Scholarship

2006
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills