I am a passionate designer and leader with 13+ years of experience that has exceptional management and communication skills . Not only am I enthusiastic about architecture, but I have an eye for and love of color, graphics, identity design and marketing. I have equally proportionate design sensibility and business ingenuity and I am always initiating positive changes in my working environments.
I have had the opportunity to work with a number of firms, developers and contractors throughout the years. With this diversified experience, I have been able to nurture and develop many skills. I began my career designing high-end residences and restaurants and then moved on to large scale civic projects, commercial developments, retail and most recently focusing on education. Having worked on large and small scale projects alike, I move comfortably through every step of the process from the first sketch of a design to stepping onto the construction site and I love every minute of it.
Most importantly, I always bring a positive attitude and I am constantly looking for ways to inject fun and playfulness into my work. Please check out my personal design blog to see what I get inspired by.
NAC Architecture, Los Angeles, CA, US, Associate / Project Manager
Role: Focus on design and management of educational projects + competitions / Direct multiple teams from initial concept through CA / Act as primary client liaison / Manage budgets and schedules / Coordinate contracts, proposals + RFPs / Oversee multidisciplinary coordination / Lead DSA + agency approvals and certifications / Supervise + mentor junior staff / Social Responsibility Community of Practice member
Projects: San Bernardino Valley College Student Service Building scoping documents / East Los Angeles College Central Plant design-build competition / LA County Hall of Records modernization / San Gabriel Aquatics Center scoping documents / Lockwood Elementary School seismic upgrade / Whittier Narrow Recreation Area Splash Pad scoping documents / Whitaker Elementary School Parking renovation / Buena Park Middle School Athletic Building construction administration
Architecture for Education, Inc., Pasadena, CA, US, Project Architect / Business Development
Role: Focused on design and management of educational projects / Directed multiple teams from initial concept through CA / Acted as primary client liaison / Managed budgets and schedules / Coordinated proposals + RFPs / Wrote specs / Oversaw multidisciplinary coordination / Lead DSA approvals and certifications / Supervised + mentored junior staff / Led winning EdSpaces classroom competition + installation / Social Media Task Force leader
Projects: Rubidoux High School encapsulation (15 bldgs) and modernization (4 bldgs) / Rubidoux HS Video Production studio / CSU Dominguez Hills Cain Library renovation / Rio del Sol STEAM Academy 12 classroom building / Alhambra USD Master Plan / Multiple Lake Elsinore High School CTE projects / Terra Cotta Middle School Admin. redesign / Multiple La Canada High School modernizations including; MPR/Cafeteria, Band, Campus Wayfinding, Perimeter Fencing and Railing / Paradise Canyon Elementary School Lunch Shelter
Reference: Leah Lucchese / Operations Manager / 626.356.4080 / llucchese@architecture4e.com
RMCA, Los Angeles, CA, US, Project Architect / Project Manager
Role: Directed multiple project teams from DD through CA on commercial and retail projects / Managed client relations / Oversaw multidisciplinary coordination / Obtained city agency approvals / Supervised + mentored junior staff
Projects: Commercial Development / Retail / Walgreens LEED Prototype / Multiple So Cal Walgreens / Whole Foods Markets / Civic Parks / Community Centers / Primrose Preschools
Initiatives: Spearheaded the re-organizational structuring of the project files and documents as well as setting standards and practices for file management. Created and implemented bulletin tracking for client revisions and delta tracking for all projects. All was done in an effort to make project management more efficient and have the whole office operation run smoother.
Reference: Chris Erwin / Office Manager / 213.483.0530 / cerwin@rmcaarchitects.com
Laura Burkhalter Design Studio, Los Angeles, CA, US, Designer/ Project Manager/ Marketing
Role: Key figurehead in the re-branding of the firm, re-designing the logo, the font type and the website / Expanded the online presence of the firm, initiating a modern marketing strategy, by creating and managing a Facebook page, Twitter account and Tumblr visual blog / Supervised junior staff
Projects: High-end Residential / Retail / Brand Identity / Graphic Design / Marketing / Social Media
Reference: Laura Burkhalter AIA/ principal/ 323.841.2021/ burkhalter.laura@gmail.com
I:E Architecture, Los Angeles, CA, US, Architectural Consultant
Role: Managed construction document production for design / build firm
Projects: High-end Residential / Lofts / Studios / Retail
Reference: Ivan Ramirez / Principal / 323.257.7000 / ivan@ie-architecture.com
Meyer & Allen Associates, Los Angeles, CA, US, Jr. Project Manager/ Intermediate Designer
Role: Assisted in design + management of projects from initial design through construction administration / Code research / Renderings / Material selection
Projects: LAUSD Elementary + Middle school / Fire Station #64 / Costa Mesa Police Facility Addition + Remodel / Pasadena Humane Society Expansion / Various LA Animal Shelters
Reference: Cliff Allen AIA / Principal / 323.467.7151 / cliftonallen@meyer-allen.com
GLYNNdesignbuild, Los Angeles, CA, US, Junior Designer
Role: Assisted in schematic design / Construction documents / Code research / Renderings / Material selection / Model making
Projects: High-end Residential / Commercial Renovations / Art studios / Graphic Design
Reference: Britt Glynn / principal / 310.821.0198 / britt@glynndesignbuild.com
Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc), Los Angeles, CA, US, BArch, Architectural Design
2D3D Fast Cheap & Out of Control Exhibit/ WUHO Gallery, Other
My piece 'Dream House' was chosen to be part of a comprehensive annual exhibition of progressive architectural drawings.
LEED AP, Other
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional
Ebell Scholarship, Scholarship
Scholarship awarded 2002/ 2003/ 2004
SCI-Arc Scholarship, Scholarship
Full scholarship award based on merit.
SCI-Arc Advance Placement, Other
Awarded advance placement after first semester.
Eckenbol Scholarship, Other
Scholarship award based on merit.
