Design is what I love to do. I eagerly share this passion wherever I go and I often find opportunities to use my design skills in unexpected places. Architectural work involves two wonderful things a dedicated team of professionals and a need for creativity and innovation. I have 9 years of experience as a designer working 2 years full time in architectural offices, 2 years working as an inspector for the University of Illinois, one year teaching, and four years of freelance and community based design work. During the last few years I have earned my LEED AP accreditation, learned Revit, Sketch-Up and have taken every opportunity to master the art and science of design and construction.
During The recession it has been difficult to find a full time job in Architecture, but I am hoping to find a chance to learn and grow as an architectural professional in a practice engaged in challenging innovative work. The last few years I have been seeking out and securing small projects advocating for and promoting architectural design solutions for the unmet needs in our community. I hope to be working in a positive team environment where I can finish the path towards licensure and help my colleagues win and deliver interesting and challenging commissions. I have a passion for architecture and when I have a good team to work with it is easy to project your confidence and enthusiasm to clients who seek solutions for their design problems.
LCM Design Group, Inc., Chicago, IL, US, Accessibility Specialist
School of Architecture, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Chicago, Teaching Team Assistant, Architecture 548 Construction Execution, Administration, and Management Course
Delivered administrative support for the teaching team consisting of the Owner’s Representative, Construction Manager, & Project Manager, conducted site tours with the Construction Manager from Turner Construction, assisted students with interpreting construction documents & project delivery issues as they arose. The course started at the beginning of the foundation work concluding with the finishes and fit out of the five story $43 million dollar residence hall.
Design Posse, Urbana, IL, US, Managing Partner
Design Posse is a team of freelance professionals working together to share resources & opportunities. The managing partner recruits members, clients and allocates resources for a timely and efficient project delivery. Design Posse completed three landscape projects in 2009 and a kitchen remodel in 2011. Additional projects are being pursued for 2012.
Architectural Contracting Service L.L.C., Elmhurst, IL, US, Intern Architect
While working at this Design Build firm I produced construction documents for mixed use developments, launched office CAD and drafting standards that reduced errors and saved time, negotiated bids with contractors, researched and specified materials, developed marketing materials, and conducted thorough zoning and code reviews.
School of Architecture, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Discovering Architecture Program, Champaign, IL, US, Teaching Assistant
I supervised after class activities for the summer camp that introduced future students to Architecture & related fields.
University Of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Facilities & Services, Storm Water Management Project, Champaign, IL, US, Intern
Working independently, I was responsible for documenting sanitary and storm drains on the Urbana-Champaign campus, the project, which is ongoing, required thorough investigation, research, and field verification through site inspections and testing. The project will yield a detailed inventory, database, and drawings of storm and sanitary drains and their possible non-compliance with Environmental Protection Agency regulations. The goal of the project is to enable Hazmat responders to intercept spills before they enter critical storm or sanitary sewer systems.
Architectural Spectrum, Champaign, Illinois, Intern Architect
At this mid-sized firm, delivered detailed construction documents from schematic drawings to as-built records on a wide variety of projects including retail, commercial office, residential, food service, and industrial projects ranging from 800 to 19,000 square feet. Focused on code and zoning reviews, shop drawing coordination, site planning, and commercial interior detailing. Excelled at HVAC and MEP coordination working with structural steel, masonry, wood-frame, and precast concrete buildings on a demanding schedule. I have a particular passion for commercial build-outs for restaurant kitchens night clubs and bars completing several projects with budgets ranging from $2,000 - $23,000,000.
College of Applied Sciences & Arts, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Carbondale Illinois, Carbondale, IL, US, Architectural Studies Tutor
I tutored students in CAD, Drafting, Sketching, Design, and Architectural History, I lead individual and group sessions ranging from 5 to 60 students.
Department of Architecture & Interior Design, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Carbondale, IL, US, Classroom Assistant
Graded homework, took attendance and held office hours for introductory lecture course in Architecture & Interior Design with over 140 students.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, US, MArch, Architecture
Areas of concentration: urban infill, community design, & mass transit, master’s thesis “Travel Without Burden” a redesign, rehabilitation, rethinking and expansion of the Chicago Transit Authority’s Brown Line EL aimed at improving the rider’s experience and expectations by transforming stations into destinations for culture commerce and community.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL, US, Bachelors, Architecture
Areas of concentration: sustainable design, urban and regional planning, restaurant hospitality design, building codes, and precast concrete.
Frank B. & Jennie M. Long Traveling Award University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Scholarship
This $5,000 scholarship was awarded for the purpose of exploring some of the innovative mass transit systems in Europe particularly Rome, Zurich, and Berlin. I Investigated Zurich, a city and transit system that has one of the highest transit ridership rates in the world. I also witnessed the U-Bahn & S-Bahn in Berlin one of Europe’s largest mass transit systems operating at capacity for the weekend of the 2006 World Cup Semifinals. This opportunity helped inform my master’s thesis & lead me to rethink the design of Chicago El stations to be more destinations in of themselves.
Louise Woodroofe Prize University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Award
The Louise Woodroofe Prize is a monetary prize awarded for excellence in hand drawing & sketching.
Rome Study Abroad Program University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Other
The 6 week program focused on architecture, urban planning, & art from the early Roman times to the late Modernist. I explored Rome, Pompeii, Venice, Florence, and the Tuscan & Umbrian countryside.
Association of Licensed Architects ALA Student Merit Award Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Award
This award is given to a student who demonstrates academic, community and professional leadership. The same efforts that I was recognized for the AIA Illinois Distinguished Architectural Student Award also weighed heavily on my selection for this honor.
Distinguished Architectural Student Award American Institute of Architects AIA Illinois Chapter, Award
This award is given to one architecture student each year in Illinois for their contributions to the practice & education of architecture. I was chosen for my extensive volunteer work at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with particular emphasis on the guest lecture series I helped co-found and fund through a campus wide Fine Arts Activity Fee which was part of a larger effort by myself, other student leaders & faculty in propelling the Department of Architecture & Interior Design to move forward with developing and launching an NAAB accredited Bachelors of Architecture program in 2005 and an NAAB accredited Master of Architecture program in 2008 which has finished the final stages of the accreditation review in 2010.
Golden Key National Honor Society, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Other
Distinguished student Senator Service Award, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Award
Gamma Beta Phi, National Honor Society, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Other
Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Other
