Santiago E. Suarez, LEED AP

(323) 401-6995

santiago.e.suarez@gmail.com

EDUCATION                                                                                                                                                            

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA                                                                              Los Angeles, CA

B.A., Architecture                                                                                                                                         May 2003

• Achievements: Mexican-American Alumni Association Scholarship recipient and self-funded remaining educational expenses through full-time employment

ACCREDITATIONS AND SKILLS                                                                                                                         

• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Accredited professional
• Revit, AutoCAD, Photoshop, 3D Max and Microsoft Office applications
• Design experience in residential, mixed-use, healthcare, and public sector projects
• Project management execution, including schematics, construction documents, permit processing, and RFIs
• Field construction observation and construction administration
• Relationship management with city officials, clients and consulting engineers

EXPERIENCE

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                SJ DESIGNS                                                                                                                                   Los Angeles, CA Freelance Designer                                                                                                      December 2009 – present

SJ Designs is an architectural firm that focuses on domestic and international design projects

• Currently managing projects with contemporary design elements, from initial design development to final construction; systematized processes with foreign construction managers and licensed architects to decrease project lead-time

HKS, INC.                                                                                                                                          Beverly Hills, CA Junior Architect (Contractor)                                                                                            March 2011 – April 2011

HKS’s primary area of design is in the public sector with a focus on medical facilities                                                                   

• Collaborated on construction documents for a 4 level medical facility in Camp Pendleton for the U.S. Navy; matched all mechanical and medical equipment drawings with architectural drawings according to client specifications

TETRA DESIGN, INC.                                                                                                                     Los Angeles, CA Project Coordinator/Design Associate                                                                         April 2008 – August 2009

Tetra Design’s core expertise is in the public sector, in addition to ADA upgrades for medical facilities. 

• Co-led project management responsibilities for hospitals and educational institutions, including general administration and final construction documents; mentored team members on the modifications process of construction documents, resulting in increased productivity
• Managed and developed client relationships as projects progressed; formalized presentation materials and processes for face-to-face meetings, earning the opportunity to be the point liaison for a key account
• Collaborated with city officials and on-site construction personnel on detailing project specifications; systematized quality control measures resulting in timely approval of city permits, leading to greater cost efficiencies

STUDIO R, INC.                                                                                                                                    Pasadena, CA Design Associate                                                                                               December 2005 – February 2008

Studio R’s primary areas of design are mixed-use buildings and educational facilities, with unique and elegant contemporary design elements

• Oversaw and ensured the integrity and accuracy of architectural drawings with consultant feedback; initiated meetings with consultants to assure all requirements were met in a timely manner, resulting in 100% approval
• Researched construction materials and construction methods; coordinated vendor presentations that led to the purchase of key construction elements, helping better optimize building designs and costs
• Co-created construction documents based on guidelines from senior architects and clients; referenced the CBC or IBC to clarify building regulations, leading to full compliance with city regulations
• Partnered as a construction consultant for a multi-unit complex; coordinated duties on the construction site with managers and instituted decisions during field visits, bringing project back to original construction timeline

ADDITIONAL

• Registered under NCARB for the IDP process
• Fluent in Spanish and volunteer of the Lupus Foundation