Archinect
Andrew Buck

Andrew Buck

St. Louis, Mo.

 

About 

My interest in architecture first began in high school, where I took drafting and design courses.  Unlike my other classes, their curriculum was less restricted and encouraged my tendency to think creatively.  This early exposure led me to pursue architecture in college.  I applied to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign because of their scholastic reputation and selective architecture study abroad program in Versailles, France.  Throughout my first two years of college I enjoyed the classes but I was not truly passionate about architecture.  My year in Versailles, however, completely transformed my attitude towards architecture and my education.


During the year in Versailles I was constantly surrounded by students and professors that were genuinely enthusiastic about architecture.  This collegial environment  motivated me to push myself academically.  My first studio project in France, a small theater in Northern Paris, was a defining moment in my education.  Through the discussions and interchange of ideas with my group members, I realized a design's success hinges on validating decisions through critical thought, experimentation and exploration in form, program, presentation and theory.

After graduating from University of Illinois in 2007 I worked at two different architecture firms in the Chicago area.  After completing undergraduate study at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies, I worked for two different architecture firms in the Chicago area.  During this time I acquired and developed my skills with Revit Architecture while focusing on the development, documentation and design of industrial and commercial work; specifically distribution facilities and data centers. 


I returned to school for my Master’s of Architecture in 2009.  At Washington University, where I was awarded The George Anselevicius Merit Scholarship,  I engaged in a series of challenging design studios that began with an intense conceptual phase.  This intense manner of study was then carried through the semester, turning concept into a rich, developed architectural proposal. These studios not only improved my design, critical thinking and problem solving ability, but also my Master’s program exposed me to a wider array of technical tools such as Rhino, and the parametric modeling software Grasshopper.  In addition to design studios, I engaged in a furniture design course which introduced me to woodworking and from having little wood shop experience, it has turned into a passion and a field I am eager to explore for the rest of my life.

Although I am not a LEED accredited professional yet, after graduation I plan on pursuing this status in addition to continuing on the path to architectural license. 

Elsewhere:

Employment 

Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, US, Summer Intern

Department of Washington University in St. Louis that maintains and promotes the ideals and mission of the University through the management and improvement of the built environment of the campus.

Tasks including significant on site construction administration experience, including field verification, contract writing, and material order and coordination on renovation projects of existing academic and residential buildings

May 2011 - Aug 2011
 

Sheehan Nagle Hartray Architects, Chicago, IL, US, Architectural Intern

Firm work focused on data center design, both ground up projects and renovations.

Construction administration including shop drawing review, management and application, on data center interior renovations in Chicago.

Apr 2009 - Jun 2009
 

Heitman Architects, Itasca, IL, US, Architectural Intern

Revit Modeling and Construction Management on a variety of project types including commercial development, industrial warehouses and distribution centers and office finish out

Primarily used on Autodesk Revit Architecture, to develop and construct projects, including developing template and family components, managing file organization and construction document development

Jul 2007 - Nov 2008
 

Warshauer Mellusi Warshauer Architects, Hawthorne, NY, US, Summer Intern

Drafting and Rendering with a focus on medium density residential and assisted living communities.

Updating company records including zoning regulations, city permits, shop drawings, material samples and material binders.

May 2005 - Aug 2005
 

Education 

Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, US, MArch, Master's of Architecture

Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts: Graduate School of Architecture
Master of Architecture Candidate
Studio Work:
Fall 2011: Degree Project: Jumping the Fence, Critic: Eric Hoffman, AIA Spring 2011: Flint Hills Studio: Context as Material, Critic: Wendell Burnette
Fall 2010: Participating Bodies, Self-Innovating Codes, Critics: Toru Hasegawa, and Mark Collins: Director of Cloud Lab, Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture
Summer 2010: Four Brothers and Sister Creek, Critic: Eric Hoffman AIA, Tony Patterson Spring 2010: Studio Arets: A Wonderful World: Critic: Wiel Arets, Robert McCarter
Fall 2009 Studio: Urban Housing in St. Louis. Critic: Jenny Lovell, RIBA, Assistant Professor

Aug 2009 - current
 

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, US, Bachelors, Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies

College of Fine and Applied Arts: School of Architecture,
Versailles Study Abroad Program: Fall 2005, Spring 2006

Aug 2003 - May 2007
 

Awards 

AIA - St. Louis Chapter: Merit Award for Unbuilt Work: Four Brothers and Sister Creek, 1st Place

Award given for the body of work conducted by the summer studio I took at Washington University in 2010. The focus of the studio was a series of site studies focusing on four vacation cabins in Bull Shoals, Arkansas. The studio critics were Washington University crtic Eric Hoffman, AIA, and visiting University of Michigan critic Tony Patterson.

2011
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills