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Michael Schaefer

Michael Schaefer

San Jose, CA, US

 
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About 

Experienced technical architect and construction manager with a special interest in multi-family and affordable housing and sustainable construction. The bulk of my experience is with architecture firms specializing in housing, but also includes two years with a contractor and 4 1/2 years with a non-profit affordable housing developer. Experience with plans, detailing, CA, coordination of consultants, plan check, quality control, punch list and closeout inspections, LEED certification, contracts and code compliance. Ideally I'd like to work on sustainable housing projects.

Employment 

First Community Housing, San Jose, CA, US, Senior Construction Manager

Experience in managing the design and construction process on multi-family affordable housing projects. Responsible for identifying and vetting architects, contractors and other consultants, reviewing consultant’s contracts, writing the owner’s project requirements document for each project, monitoring and assisting progress in all phases of design and construction, reviewing architects deliverables at design milestones and contractors submittals and RFIs during construction. Visited construction sites regularly to maintain a clear understanding of
construction progress and quality control. Assisted Asset Management department with rehabs of multifamily apartment buildings, including defining scope of work, providing specifications where necessary, reviewing payment applications and performing quality control and punch list inspections.

Aug 2018 - May 2023
 

OJK Architecture + Planning, San Jose, CA, US, Architect

Led DD and CD phase drawing process, responsible for code compliance, product research, coordination, constructibility, details, specs and plan check. Assisted with technical aspects of CD phase including submittals and RFIs. 1585 Studios (3 story, 27 unit urban infill, LEED Platinum certification, Mountain View, CA), Japantown Senior Apartments (6 story, 75 unit urban infill, LEED Platinum certification, San Jose, CA), North San Pedro Apartments (6 story, 135 units, LEED Platinum projected, San Jose, CA), and Leigh Avenue Senior Apartments (4 story, 64 units, LEED Platinum projected, San Jose, CA).

Jul 2012 - Aug 2018
 

Branagh Construction, Inc., Oakland, CA, US, Architectural Consultant

Assisted with construction of 4th Street Apartments, managing RFIs, acting as librarian for drawings and specs, coordinating subcontractors and submittals and reviewing work in the field for quality control.

Sep 2010 - Jun 2012
 

Fisher Friedman Assoc., Emeryville, CA, US, Project Architect

Project Architect: 4th Street Apartments (9 story, 100 unit urban infill, LEED Gold certification, San Jose CA), Villa Montgomery (5 story 58 unit urban infill, LEED Gold certification, Redwood City Ca) and Murphy Ranch (100 unit award winning townhouse development on 7.9 acres, Morgan Hill CA). Experience in planning, schematic design, presentation work, design development, working drawings, detailing, product research, coordinating with design consultants, plan check, construction administration, LEED documentation, punch list and project closeout.
Also coordinated specifications and supervised interns.

Dec 1996 - May 2010
 

Education 

Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, US, MArch, Architecture

7 semester studio program, focused on housing wherever possible. Thesis on industrial building rehab for multi-family housing.

Sep 1992 - Jan 1996
 

ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, CA, US, Illustration

Coursework in illustration and rendering techniques.

Sep 1987 - Dec 1990
 

Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, US, Bachelors, Studio Art (Design)

Studio art specializing in design: Coursework in graphic design, product design, environmental design, theatrical design, photography, computer programming and metalsmithing.

Sep 1979 - Jun 1983
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills