In 2005, I studied Architecture at the University of Oxford through the Oxbridge Academic Program. In December of 2010, I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Virginia, From 2010 through 2016, I worked for various architecture firms in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.. In 2018, I received my Master of Architecture from Parsons SCE in New York City.
University of Virginia
At the University of Virginia, I took on many challenges and responsibilities: From freshman to junior year, I was the head of corporate sponsorship for Relay for Life, and I was one of the top 5 fundraising students nationwide and the top online-fundraising student. As a junior, I was a teaching assistant for a computer aided architectural design course using Microstation V8 software. As a senior, I took a wide range of challenging graduate level courses including: a LEED design course on environmental systems and lighting, an environmental course on global sustainability, an engineering course on structural design for dynamic loads, and an architectural materials course on soft surface operations. Lastly, as a senior, I was personally chosen to work with mechanical engineer Chuck Hoberman, who helped me develop my origami-inspired work.
Parsons SCE
During my time at Parsons SCE, I took a wide range of studios: from designing a non-denominational sacred space celebrating the beauty of natural light, to a design-build studio where I helped design and construct the lobby space for The Children's Museum of the Arts, to an urban planning and design studio focused on disaster preparedness for Red Hook, Brooklyn, which included creating a culinary institute and observatory space for a Brooklyn institution called Pioneer Works. My final semester at Parsons was devoted entirely to my thesis project concerning architecture and child vulnerability in the age of mass shootings and how new architectural design techniques and building typologies need to be implemented in order to protect children.
Today
In addition to the knowledge I have gained from my education, the experience I have gained working as an architect for Sheetz, Inc., Atwood Architects, Hansen Architects, Robert Gurney Architect, Cooper Carry, and SOM has provided me with a strong background in the practical, economic, and technical aspects of construction and design. With over 7,600 AXP hours, I have experience in interior design as well as architectural design ranging from small houses to supertall skyscrapers. As of June 2018, I am SOM's Architectural Specifications Coordinator, helping coordinate, write, and review specifications, drawings, and documents for over 150 active projects. I am currently in the process of taking the ARE 5.0, having passed 4 of 6 exams thus far. I also plan to pursue LEED accreditation as well as Revit and CSI Certification.
Since starting architecture in 2005, I have had a few years to develop a conception of the industry's purpose. Within this period, I became familiar with not only the common practices and expectations associated with the architectural profession but also the time required to become a licensed architect. I have learned the value of time through this tremendously humbling experience thus far. More importantly, I have also learned that time, in many respects, can be the architect's best friend and worst enemy as an eternally driving force that is not, in and of itself, a fundamental physical entity. With that being said, I believe that it is the architect's responsibility to fill that intangible void – to capture it, celebrate it, and make manifest a sense of place within a greater context characterized by a change from one perception of the present to the next. It is our responsibility, as architects, to strive for timelessness in our present through timeliness however illusory or paradoxical it may seem. In striving to capture the elusive zeitgeist, the architect realizes that his or her success is entirely contingent upon society’s consciousness of its own time.
RLSE
Robert L. S. Edsall
rle3c@mac.com
Parsons The New School for Design - Design Workshop (Splash House, Highbridge In_flux), New York, NY, US, Design and Construction Leader/Lead Draftsman
The project was the continuation of our Parsons M.Arch design studio project from spring semester designing a new lobby space for our client, the Children's Museum of the Arts (or CMA) in Manhattan - the design build portion of the project officially started in May 2017 and finished in late August 2017.
Cooper Carry, Alexandria, VA, US, Architectural Intern
Worked with multiple architects designing and documenting a wide variety of projects from schematic design through construction and wrote for and edited the company magazine.
My responsibilities include: producing architectural drawings and renderings ranging from schematic design phase through construction using a variety of programs, building physical models, reviewing and filing submittals, talking to and meeting with consultants and contractors, responding to RFIs, selecting materials, performing site visits and walkthroughs, preparing punch lists, and managing internal tracking list items. I have gained experience working on a tremendous variety of project types including adaptive reuse, k-12 education, office/corporate, hospitality, interiors, mixed-use, and commercial. During my time at Cooper Carry, I helped design a public elementary school in Falls Church, VA that not only went on to win multiple awards but also represented the arrival of a new building typology in Fairfax County - the mid-rise elementary school. Practicing careful building repositioning techniques and clever adaptive reuse, we managed to convert an existing 5-story Class B office building into an extremely modern and unique school in 9 months.
PROJECTS
HOSPITALITY
Hilton - The Main Hotel & Conference Center - Norfolk, VA
Homewood Suites Hotel - Washington, DC
The StateView Hotel - Raleigh, NC
25th Street Resort - Norfolk, VA
EDUCATION
Bailey's Upper Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences - Falls Church, VA (Adaptive Reuse)
Westgate Elementary School - Fairfax County, VA
OFFICE/CORPORATE
1900 Crystal Drive - Arlington, VA
900 16th Street - Washington, DC
URBAN DESIGN/COMMERCIAL
Crystal Drive Plaza Redevelopment - "Crystal Parks" - Arlington, VA
Ballston Mall Redevelopment - Arlington, VA
Sheetz, Inc., Claysburg, PA, US, New Store Concept Design Committee Member
Worked to develop a new convenience store concept that would boost food and beverage sales as well as serve as the future store model for the next ten years.
Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Architect, Washington, DC, US, Intern Architect/Architectural Contractor
Worked on and developed presentation drawings and construction documents (plans, sections, elevations, and site drawings) for the 4 Springs Lane residence and entered them into a nationwide design competition. The 4 Springs Lane residence went on to win multiple awards. Also worked on an apartment interior gut renovation project within The Watergate in Washington, DC.
PROJECTS
RESIDENTIAL
4 Springs Lane Residence - Rappahannock County, VA
Watergate Apartment gut renovation - Washington, DC
Hansen Architects, Annapolis, MD, US, Intern Architect/Architectural Contractor
Worked with lead architect designing waterfront residences along the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River.
Atwood Architects/Southern Cities Studio, Charlottesville, VA, US, Intern Architect/Architectural Contractor
Worked with lead architect designing luxury apartments, houses, and mixed-use buildings. Developed site and floor plans, kitchen and bathroom finishes, and furniture designs. My responsibilities included producing construction documents and renderings, photographing existing sites and constructed works, building physical models, and attending city council meetings.
Sheetz, Inc., Claysburg, PA, US, Summer Intern Architect
Worked with lead architect developing alternative styles for future Sheetz locations. Personally designed a Habitat for Humanity house that was then constructed in Bedford, PA. Also worked with lead architect developing new restroom and seating area designs for future stores. Helped develop the new "Shwellness Center" - a fitness and convention center for Sheetz employees.
Parsons School of Design, New York, NY, US, MArch, Architecture
Advanced Placement Student
Evaluation for advanced placement is conducted by the admission committee on the basis of a review of the applicant’s design studio work. Students granted advanced placement are awarded up to the equivalent of one year of graduate study (30 credits). They must complete a minimum of two years of study (60 credits) in residence and fulfill all other master’s degree requirements.
To be considered for advanced placement, an applicant must have completed the following undergraduate curriculum with grades of B or better in all courses:
6 semesters Studio
2 semesters History
2 semesters Structures
1 semester Theory
1 semester Environmental Technology
1 semester Construction Technology
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, US, BArch, Architecture
Activities and Societies: Delta Upsilon Fraternity Philanthropy Chair, American Cancer Society, Boys and Girls Club, UVa Relay for Life Fundraiser and Head of Corporate Sponsorship, and UVa Bike Share.
B.S. in Architecture/Architectural History Minor
First-year Brown College Resident (selective admission)
Additional coursework: Physics, Statics, Structural Design, Structural Design for Dynamic Loads, Fabric Architecture, Global Sustainability, and Environmental Systems and Lighting (LEED).
University of Oxford, Oxford, England, OxBridge
Attended Pembroke College at the University of Oxford through the Oxbridge Academic Program, where I majored in Architecture and minored in Art History for a summer.
2016 Fairfax County Exceptional Design Honor Award, Award
AIA Northern Virginia/Fairfax County, VA
Since 1985, the Fairfax County Exceptional Design Awards have recognized achievement in the total design of a building and its site. This year nine projects were honored with awards. The winners will be recognized by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at their meeting on Tuesday, October 18, 9:30a, at the Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax, in the board auditorium.
HONOR AWARDS
Bailey’s Upper Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences: Office to School Conversion
Architect: Cooper Carry
Owner: Fairfax County Public Schools
Category: Historical/Adaptive-Reuse
2015 IIDA Mid-Atlantic Chapter Design Award, Award
The International Interior Design Association - Mid-Atlantic Chapter
60,000 – 99,999 square feet category - 2015 International Interior Design Association - Mid-Atlantic Chapter Design "Honor" Award. In 2015, Bailey's Upper Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences was honored with this award.
AIA DC 2014 Honor Award/Award in Architecture, Award
Washington, DC Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
The Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA|DC) Awards Program recognizes excellence in the categories of architecture, interior architecture, historic resources and urban design/master planning. The program not only demonstrates the value of good design, but also illustrates the wide variety of services performed by architects. It is conducted independently of other awards programs sponsored by the national American Institute of Architects and other AIA components. In 2014, the 4 Springs Lane residence was honored with this award.
DAC 2014 Best Architectural Addition of the Year, Award
The District Architecture Center
The District Architecture, in association with the Washington, DC Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, publishes a list of the best in architecture every year. This list includes office buildings, homes, schools, public spaces, as well as a variety of different building types that are celebrated for being both beautiful and tremendously functional. In 2014, the 4 Springs Lane residence made this prestigious list.
2014 Custom Home Design Awards - Merit Award, Award
Custom Home Magazine
Every year Custom Home Magazine brings together a panel of judges to review 500+ projects from around the United States only to award a select few (usually around 20 projects) with either the Grand Award (reserved for a single project) or the Merit Award. In 2014, the 4 Springs Lane residence was honored with this award.
2014 Washingtonian Residential Design Award, Award
Washington, DC Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
To encourage excellence in local residential architecture, the WASHINGTONIAN magazine and the Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA|DC) created the Washingtonian Residential Design Awards Program. Distinctive residential projects, regardless of size or classification, are recognized on the basis of excellence in total design, including aesthetics, programmatic response and sustainability. In 2014, the 4 Springs Lane residence was honored with this award.
2014 Virginia Society AIA Design Award - Architecture Honor Award, Award
Northern Virginia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
Virginia Architects honored the very best works by designers working in Virginia in the 2014 Awards for Excellence (also known as the Design Awards). These awards celebrate projects no older than seven years that contribute to the built environment and are clear examples of thoughtful and engaging design. This year juries have identified 12 Honor Awards and six Merit Awards. Award categories include Architecture, Contextual Design, Historic Preservation, Interior Design and Residential Design. In 2014, the 4 Springs Lane residence was honored with this award.
4 Springs Lane (Rappahanock, Va.) by Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Architect
“Beautifully composed on the site,” says the jury, “with a logical, clear floor plan that embraces and frames views of the landscape.”
2014 NAIOP Northern Virginia Award of Excellence, Best Building Repositioning/Adaptive Re-Use, Award
NAIOP - Commercial Real Estate Development Association
Award of Excellence for Bailey's Upper Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences, submitted by Cooper Carry, Inc. Team members included: Fairfax County Public Schools and John C. Grimberg. Bailey’s Upper Elementary is located in Seven Corners.
Top Online Fundraising Student (South Atlantic Division), 1st Place
UVa Relay for Life Executive Committee - American Cancer Society Fundraiser and Head of Corporate Sponsorship 2007-2010.
Found corporate sponsors and personally raised $58,435.00. UVa Relay for Life raised approximately $300,000.00
Top Five Fundraising Student Nationwide, Award
UVa Relay for Life Executive Committee - American Cancer Society Fundraiser and Head of Corporate Sponsorship 2007-2010.
Found corporate sponsors and personally raised $58,435.00. UVa Relay for Life raised approximately $300,000.00
Top Five Fundraising Student Nationwide, Award
UVa Relay for Life Executive Committee - American Cancer Society Fundraiser and Head of Corporate Sponsorship 2007-2010.
Found corporate sponsors and personally raised $58,435.00. UVa Relay for Life raised approximately $300,000.00
Top Online Fundraising Student (South Atlantic Division), 1st Place
UVa Relay for Life Executive Committee - American Cancer Society Fundraiser and Head of Corporate Sponsorship 2007-2010.
Found corporate sponsors and personally raised $58,435.00. UVa Relay for Life raised approximately $300,000.00
