My name is Michael Castro and I am currently testing for my architectural license through the state of California. I've been working in architecture and interior design since 1996. I have had the benefit of working in different climates throughout much of the United States; including California, Wyoming, Alaska, Kansas and Texas.
Currently, I work for a firm named Genesis Associates. We are an Interior Design Firm that specializes in theming and gaming. I have been working at Genesis Associates since September of 2009, though I'd worked here in the past as well. Our projects range from hotels, restaurants, retail, business, to all manner of hospitality.
My work in Kansas primarily consisted of the hotel industry (Marriot, Hampton Inn, etc). The majority of my work while at Rim Architects, in Alaska, was for the National Park Service and the National Forrest Service; including playing a significant part in Alaska's first Silver rated L.E.E.D. Certified building (Denali National Park Entrance Area Visitors Center) as well as Eielson Visitor Center, also in Denali National Park, which received Alaska's first Platinum rated L.E.E.D. certification as well as being the first Platinum rated building in the National Park Service.
My time at Jensen Yorba Lott, in Juneau, Alaska, provided me a wide range of opportunity from the Juneau Readiness Center to remodeling Hoonah and Cordova High Schools. My career experience ranges from custom homes in Southern California to a multitude of different commercial buildings (Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program at University of Alaska Anchorage, office buildings, retail centers, visitor centers, etc), national chain hotels to architectural interiors for casinos and restaurants throughout the country as well as a significant amount of construction administration.
My strengths are in leadership, organization and client / consultant coordination as well as being able to take a project from the initial conceptual design through construction. Before starting my career in architecture, I gained a great deal of experience in the construction industry; this gave me a better understanding of construction methods.
As a side note I am also bilingual, speaking both English and Spanish.
Genesis Associates, Santa Ana, CA, US, Job Captain
Worked closely with project managers and principles on hospitality interiors. Responsible for coordinating with various consultants. Designed and developed construction documents based on conceptual presentations. Review submittals from contractors. Researched materials and products as required per project.
Livingston Slone, Inc, Anchorage, AK, US, Job Captain / Intern Architect
Project managed and created RFP’s and RFQ’s for rural Alaskan commercial projects. Construction Administration on a large medical clinic for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Coordinated between the contractor, owner’s representative and design team for all RFI’s and ASI’s as well as logged, maintained and reviewed all submittals from the contractor.
Self Employed, Anchorage, AK, US, Owner
Provided drafting services for Architects and Structural Engineers. Prepared all contract documents as well as code review and ADA back checking.
RIM Architects, LLC, Anchorage Anchors, MD, US, Job Captain / Intern Architect
Coordinated projects and project meetings with both the client and the design team. Responsible for designing, coordinating, detailing projects from initial concept to construction administration including specifications. Lead a team in CA of a complicated 7-story apartment building. Responsible for doing the code reviews.
Genesis Associates, Santa Ana, CA, US, Job Captain
Worked closely with project managers and principles on hospitality interiors. Responsible for coordinating with various consultants. Designed and developed construction documents based on concept presentations.
RIM Architects, LLC, Anchorage, AK, US, Job Captain
Coordinated projects with both the client and the design team. I functioned as a discipline leader for small and medium sized teams overseeing the construction document phases. Responsible for designing, coordinating, detailing projects from initial concept to construction administration.
Arctic Structures, Anchorage, AK, US, Designer / Job Captain
Designed and drafted plans for modular building systems including rural man camps for the North Slope of Alaska as well as portable office structures.
Jensen Yorba Lott, Inc, Juneau, AK, US, Job Captain
Worked directly with the principles in design coordination and drafting of large scale commercial and healthcare projects.
Genesis Associates, Irvine, CA, US, Draftsman
Provided basic drafting services for an architectural interiors "Theme Based" interior design firm focusing on all aspects of hospitality with a specialty in casinos. 3D modeled complicated interior elements such as the live lion habitat that was formerly in the MGM Casino in Las Vegas, NV.
Roger Grulke, Architects, Redlands, CA, US, Drafsman
This was my first job in the field after graduating. I provided basic drafting following red lines given to me by Roger Grulke and my supervisor. Drafted plans for a four building medical center at the City of Hope cancer center in Duarte, CA.
