Jason's professional journey has been enriched by his experiences in three distinct regions of the country, from Virginia to Oregon to Tennessee and now back to Florida.
His portfolio, which spans from neighborhood revitalization and civic planning to urban infill mixed-use and interior design, reflects his versatile approach to the design and construction process. Jason's belief in the importance of adaptive reuse for sustainable city growth, particularly in urban settings, is best exemplified in his work at Cummins Station in downtown Nashville and the Turnip Truck grocery store, a former gas welding shop that now serves as the primary food market for Nashville's LEED Certified Gulch Neighborhood.
Over the past 8 – 10 years, Jason has focused on mixed-use and multi-family as a critical component while developing his project management skillsets. First, this came from necessity due to the demand in Nashville with the devastating flood of 2010, which created a need to build back locally rather than receive outside assistance, as the country overlooked the city's devastation due to other polarizing disasters in the Gulf with the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, the Earthquake in Haiti that killed over 213,000 people and the Chile mine rescue. So, we took on the We Are Nashville mentality and did it ourselves. The selfless and unpaid work that many of the local architecture firms did during this time helped build the great city, which quickly transitioned into the great boom of Music City and is still in effect today.
In Nashville, Jason has worked on many projects, from design to construction document development and submittal to final CA punch lists and grand openings. The projects with Smith Gee Studio Jason led the design and management of a range from the Terra House (200 + units) located in the city-funded Rolling Mill Hill site to smaller urban infill projects such as 1260 Martin (47 units + ground floor Maker "live-work spaces) and across the street 610 Merrit (14 for sale townhouses and six live-work spaces plus corner commercial spaces). Lastly, the project that was very close to his heart and home in Nashville, the 290-unit multi-family project, "The Cleo," in East Nashville, was sited within a couple of blocks of Jason's home, East Nashville, where he resided for most of his time in Nashville and with Smith Gee Studio (completed 2018)—Jason's time at Smith Gee Studio catapulted him into his next opportunity with OHM Advisors, along with a former client of his, Aaron Breeden, to develop and make real both the Rockledge Flats in Rockledge, Florida (opened 2022) and Pinnacle Hills (to open 2023) in Rogers, AR.
Jason's success can be attributed to his strong owner relationships, which have allowed him to continue working on multiple projects with his clients. This strong client relationship can best be illustrated in the following Success Story about his dedication and intimate knowledge of the building he has called work home for almost two decades: Cummings Station, built in 1906, which now competes with new Class A office buildings in downtown Nashville.
One final note...you should ask him about how and where he grew up, its a unique story and includes Hanna Barbera cartoon characters...
Self Employed - Contract Work, Nashville, TN / Roanoke, VA / Charlottesville, VA / Greenville, SC / Sarasota, FL, Project Architect / Project Manager
Executed production of diverse project types at varying completion stages to ensure compliance with aggressive deadlines driven by staffing requirements. Participated in creation of development drawing sets for pricing, permit, and funding submissions. Spearheaded design development pricing set and construction documents/permit submission level, contributing to successful progression of projects. Conducted thorough QA/QC reviews on sets during Schematic design, design development, and construction document phases to ensure quality standards were met.
● Collaborated with project managers to devise completion strategies based on staffing needs for multi-family projects, including transformation of five historic buildings into a connected mixed-use project for residential use.
● Engaged in contract work to finalize projects, including jumping onto other projects to support overall success of firm.
● Contributed leadership and active participation to project, resulting in timely completion and coming in under budget.
OHM Advisors, Nashville, TN, US, Project Manager / Senior Designer
Spearheaded Rockledge Flats, inaugural project among two with a former client from Jason's prior office, serving as focal point
for entire Nashville office of OHM. Pioneered first multi-family venture with client at new company, Hutton, diligently absorbing
insights from Hutton and Rockledge contractor. Collaborated directly with Hutton's complete management team to steer project
from concept design to prevent any pricing oversights. Engaged with jurisdictional representatives in Rogers, AR, addressing
matters ranging from Zoning to exterior materials during schematic design phase to expedite city approval for submittals.
● Led a team of eight in Nashville office, guiding members through development of drawing sets from schematic design
through Permit Set, culminating in pricing exercises in close coordination with owner and contractor.
● Minimized value engineering by implementing lessons gleaned from previous projects, showcasing adept leadership
through all phases with an eye toward promoting design team.
● Navigated intricacies of code regulation process to ensure compliance at every stage.
● Successfully applied lessons learned to enhance Rogers, AR multi-family project.
Smith Gee Studio, Nashville, TN, US, Project Architect / Designer III / Project Manager
Initiated as inaugural full-time hire post-2009 downturn, seven-year phase of Jason's career markedly shaped professional development. Oversaw various responsibilities ranging from restroom cleaning to cutting ribbon with mayor of Nashville for ascend amphitheater. Endured numerous late nights and experienced both victories and setbacks, acknowledging invaluable mentorship from Smith Gee crew that played a pivotal role in shaping Jason into designer, planner, and business professional.
● Cultivated and nurtured client relationships, underscoring importance of client interaction in professional journey.
● Successfully navigated intricacies of code regulation process to ensure compliance at every step of way.
● Provided leadership and mentorship, imparting valuable knowledge and guidance to others in field.
Clemson University, Clemson, SC, US, MArch, Architecture
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
Master of Architecture
Accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), the Master of Architecture (M. Arch.) is the professional degree required by most state registration boards as a condition of licensure for architectural practice. At Clemson, the M. Arch. program seeks to develop students’ proficiency in responding to contemporary architectural, social, and global issues with a balance of theoretical knowledge and practical abilities. As the only school of architecture in the state, Clemson Architecture gravitates toward the middle of the theory-practice spectrum, offering an educational foundation that respects both the theoretical, conceptual, and historical knowledge needed by educated leaders with the skills needed in contemporary architectural practice. Each semester, major emphasis is placed on the work of the design studio, where design solutions—architectural, environmental, conceptual, or constructed, as appropriate—are proposed for a broad range of local needs and global issues. The design studio is complemented by coursework in building technology, architectural history and theory, representation and fabrication, research methods, and professional practice topics, and these courses are integrated with the studio whenever possible.
The M. Arch. II is a two-year, 60-credit hour degree track for students with a pre-professional Bachelor's degree (BA or BS) in Architecture and strong portfolios documenting 6 to 8 semesters of design studio work. The M. Arch. II track is an advanced placement track, and a BA or BS in a pre-professional architecture program is a minimum requirement. A competitive portfolio is also required. In the context of the applicant pool, advanced placement is determined by the Admissions Committee during the application and portfolio review process.
Two-Year (M. Arch. II) Track (60 Credits)
Semester 1 | FALL | Clemson Campus
6 ARCH 8510 Design Studio III
3 ARCH 8210 Research Methods
3 ARCH 8720 Productions and Assemblies + 8721 Lab
3 ARCH 8810 Professional Practice I
15 credits
Semester 2 | SPRING | GENOA Option
6 ARCH 8520 Design Studio IV (Genoa)
3 ARCH 8730 Environmental Systems + 8731 Lab ONLINE
3 ARCH 8620 Architectural History and Theory III
3 ARCH 6160 Field Studies
15 credits
SECOND YEAR
Semester 3 | FALL | Clemson Campus
6 ARCH 8570 Design Studio V (Clemson)
3 GRAD XXXX ELECTIVE
3 GRAD XXXX ELECTIVE
3 GRAD XXXX ELECTIVE
15 credits
Semester 4 | SPRING | Clemson Campus
6 ARCH 8920 Comprehensive Studio (Studio VI)
3 ARCH 8640 Architectural History and Theory IV
3 ARCH 8740 Building Processes: Technical Resolution + 8741 Lab
3 ARCH 8820 Professional Practice II
15 credits
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, BArch, Architecture
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE ARCHITECTURE
At UVA School of Architecture, our undergraduate Architecture programs are framed by an innovative curriculum that addresses how design shapes and invents the world around us. Our student's and faculty's work are investigative, critical, articulate, experimental, and rigorous.
The undergraduate curriculum in Architecture introduces students to methodologies to understand and creatively transform the built environment critically. Design innovation requires creativity, technical knowledge, cultural awareness, risk-taking, and meaningful questioning. Our curriculum uses design as a mode of critical inquiry to explore questions and pose new visions for various scales, all of which constitute the disciplinary realm of architecture: from cities, territories, infrastructure and buildings to rooms, installations, furniture, and clothing. The first year of study is a shared Common First Year curriculum, wherein students take courses in three School of Architecture departments: Architecture, Urban + Environmental Planning, and Architectural History.
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125 CREDITS
The Bachelor of Science in Architecture is a 4-year undergraduate degree with a minimum of 125 credits.
Core Requirements
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Students must complete each of the following courses:
ARCH 1010 - Lessons of the Lawn Credits: 3
ARCH 2010 - Foundation Studio II Credits: 6
ARCH 2710 - CAAD 3D Geometrical Modeling and Visualization Credits: 3
ARCH 2020 - Foundation Studio III Credits: 6
ARH 3403 - World Contemporary Architecture Credits: 3
ARCH 3114 - Sustainability and Systems in the Built Environment Credits: 3
ARCH 3010 - Foundation Studio IV Credits: 6
ARCH 3020 - Foundation Studio V Credits: 6
ARCH 3120 - Theories of Architecture Credits: 3
ARCH 3240 - Introduction to Structural Design Credits: 3
ARCH 3260 - Building Matters Credits: 4
ARCH 4010 - Research Studio Credits: 6
ARCH 4100 - Independent Design Research (Thesis)
Seminar Credits: 3 Credits / Units: 3
ARCH 4020 - Advanced Design Research Studio Credits: 6 Or ARCH 4995 Independent Design Research (Thesis) Studio Credits / Units: 6
Open Electives (15 Credits)
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Humanities Elective (3 Credits)
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General Education Electives (12 Credits)
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Physics Electives (3 credits)
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Social /Behavioral Science Electives (3 credits)
American Society of Landscape Architects, Award of Excellence Cummins Station Community Garden, Award
The award is given annually to recognize significant contributions in one of four categories: contributions to the profession in Tennessee, preservation of the landscape of Tennessee, enhancement of Tennessee's physical environment, or landscape architectural education.
AIA Middle Tennessee, Award for Excellence - Nashville Pedestrian Bridge,, Award
The AIA Middle TN Design Awards Program strives to recognize, publicize, and celebrate projects that represent the best of Middle Tennessee architecture, projects that are exemplary for their thoughtful, sustainable, innovative, and well-crafted design. With juries composed of highly-qualified professionals offering diverse perspectives and expertise, all submissions are reviewed in the context of the project team’s goals and evaluated for thoughtfully designed resolution of those goals.
AIA Tennessee, Award of Merit in Architecture, Cummins Station Community Garden, Award
The AIA Tennessee Design Awards program recognizes built works of distinction designed by AIA Tennessee members. The program also brings to public attention outstanding examples of architecture. The awards are given in three degrees: Honor, Merit, and Citation. Merit Awards are granted to built projects worthy of recognition because of their design quality.
AIA Middle Tennessee, Citation Design Award, Cummins Station Community, Award
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Middle Tennessee Chapter's Citation Design Award recognizes projects that exemplify the best of Middle Tennessee architecture. The award program aims to celebrate projects that are thoughtful, innovative, and sustainable.
AIA Medal for Academic Excellence (formerly the Henry Adams Medal for Excellence), Award
For more than a century, the AIA has provided a medal of excellence to the top graduating students in National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) or Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) accredited degrees, Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Architecture, or Doctor of Architecture. The award for students in architecture was begun in 1914 by a resolution adopted by the AIA Board of Directors. Today, more than 100 schools annually submit the name of one graduate of a BArch, MArch, or DArch program who displays "general excellence" throughout their academic career.
