Architecture is the practice of problem solving. Being a part of a profession that holds this at its heart has always been both challenging and exciting. At Portland State University during my undergraduate I was able to find meaning and solace in discovering architecture. Currently, attending the Rhode Island School of Design, I have found a voice through the act of making. During my short time at RISD I have been able to refine my ability to sketch, model, and most importantly think responsively. This responsive nature of the RISD pedagogy has taught me that as a designer I am capable of accessing and then working through complicated problems.

I have found that this skill is crucial to the practical and time sensitive nature of architecture. During my time working at Chesshir Architecture during my undergrad and currently working at Lacuna Design, I have the opportunity to be the part a project from design through the construction documentation of a project. In this real world experience it became invaluable to be able to tackle complex problems efficiently. I also had the opportunity to develop my skills making client directed models, CAD and adobe software in a practical setting.

Architecture has power in our society to be an instigator for change. We have the opportunity to be a part of a process that asks us to mitigate the needs of a diverse range of agents. It is in this cooperation and compromise of many different people that a building can define the good of the collective.