Archinect
Giovanni Morabito

Giovanni Morabito

Chicago, IL, US

 

About 

My passion for architecture has always stemmed from the belief that, above all, a built environment must evoke a psychologically and socially enriching experience for its inhabitants, while responding to the specifically intended activities for which each space is designed. My studio projects often focus on how architectural expression can actually validate an activity beyond simply providing a secure shelter of walls, floor, and ceiling. As my explorations and intrigue of design impact has evolved over recent years, I have developed a more focused ambition to understand the psychological and social impact that architecture has been studied and proven to have on the development of people. I began reading scholarly journals published by the American Institute of Psychology and SAGE publications, which contain many unbiased research findings on various topics of how people respond to specific environmental conditions.

I assert that architects have a continually growing need to develop a more sophisticated understanding of how architecture affects human behavior. By gaining a more in-depth perspective on the cognitive impact of the environment, future designers can more factually ensure the efficacy of presented design solutions and avoid unintended outcomes. Just as the science and study of medicine has developed increasingly more sophisticated and innovative solutions to treat patients, providing better care, more successful surgeries, and decreasing patient recovery time, I believe that architecture too has the potential to gain a more sophisticated understanding of the impact of environment on the mind and the body.

Employment 

VOA Associates Incorporated, Chicago, IL, US, Architectural Intern

• Completed design development on commercial office projects as part of a design team.
• Created an office standard Revit tutorial document for staff reference.

May 2015 - Aug 2015
 

STUDIOS Architecture, New York, NY, US, Architectural Intern

• Completed schematic and design development on various commercial and office projects.

Aug 2014 - Dec 2014
 

Costa Brown Architecture, San Francisco, CA, US, Architectural Intern

• Completed construction documents for an office renovation project under minimal supervision.

Jan 2014 - Apr 2014
 

glaserworks Architecture + Urban Design, Cincinnati, OH, US, Architectural Designer

• Assisted with the completion of design development for a university campus in Shanghai.

Jun 2013 - Aug 2013
 

PDT Architects, Portland, ME, US, Architectural Designer

• Collaborated on 2-8-person design teams for a variety of public/private housing, education, medical
interior, corporate interior, commercial and government projects.
• Created and prepared presentation renderings and design proposals for clients.
• Executed project completion from schematic design to construction documents.

Apr 2008 - Apr 2013
 

Education 

University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, US, MArch, Architecture

Sep 2013 - Apr 2016
 

University of Maine at Augusta, Augusta, ME, US, Architecture

Sep 2006 - Apr 2011
 

Portland High School, Portland, ME, US, High School, Diploma

Sep 2002 - May 2006
 

Awards 

Durability+Design Competition, 2nd Place

The competition challenged graduate students from the University of Cincinnati's School of Architecture and Design to reclad one of Cincinnati’s most important Modernist buildings; the iconic Terrace Plaza Hotel.

Entrants had 10 days to brainstorm ways to use contemporary and even futuristic building-envelope materials to extend the structure's service life another 65 years or longer. Originally designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and built in 1946-48, the 20-story steel-frame skyscraper is clad in red clay brick.

2014
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills