Rebecca Book is a recent graduate of Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, where she received a dual Master of Architecture and Master of Science in Urban Planning. The combination of design talent and analytical skills she has developed in these programs have allowed her to work on innovative projects at the intersection of architecture, resiliency and social justice. She is currently an intern architect on the Big U/ Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency project. Here she both helps develop the schematic design of the flood protection systems and public amenities which will weave through 10 miles of Manhattan's dense coast line, as well as provides mapping and data analysis expertise to predict how this project will influence Lower Manhattan. She has also served as a zoning analyst on SHoP architect's 'Envelope City' software, which visualizes and runs scenarios for development potential under current zoning.
In her free time (or lack there of) she also enjoys track cycling, bike touring, cyclocross, and sometimes even road cycling.
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, she now resides in Brooklyn, New York.
One Architecture, New York, NY, US, Intern Architect
Detailed urban analysis, mapping, modeling and schematic design for the Big U/Dryline
Provide research and mapping to support the team realizing major coastal resiliency projects
Participated in multi-disciplinary meetings on the design and implementation of major
infrastructure projects
SHoP Architects, New York, NY, US, Zoning Analyst
Assisted in the development of the ‘Envelope’ 3D urban mapping platform in collaboration with representatives of SHoP Architects, and the Director of MIT’s Civic Data Design Lab
Interpreted zoning regulations and analyze their applicability to real world scenarios
Collaborated with zoning experts and software engineers to develop a zoning rules database
Columbia University, New York, NY, US, Exhibitions Assistant
Researched and curated exhibits for the Istanbul Design Biennial; procured artifacts for display
Managed 13 employees to complete exhibits to the highest standards and in time for openings
Prepared architecture related exhibits featured in the New York Times and Architect Newspaper,
as well as assisting in fabrication for exhibits in the Chicago Biennial
Studio Rede, New York, NY, US, Intern, Tamer Fellow
Developed an urban design proposal to improve the traffic congestion, economic opportunities, and availability of tourist amenities in Hatsukaichi, Japan
Recipient of a $6,000 Fellowship for social and environmental entrepreneurship
Researched potentials for a digital platform for community involvement in planning and preservation issues surrounding heritage sites in the developing world
Sustainable Urbanism International, Bangalore, IN, Intern
Developed strategies for promoting culturally and environmentally sensitive urban development
Created and reviewed feasibility studies for heritage based development in Karnataka
Provided GIS mapping expertise for flood risk mapping and sustainability management plans
Farm from a Box, San Francisco, CA, US, Designer, Graphic Design lead, Founding Member
Began as a project of Architecture for Humanity, now a certified “B” Corporation
Works with a small team developing a modular agricultural system to deploy in communities in
environmental , economical, or social crisis. The final product will be a matrix determining which
technology, crops and livestock to deploy in different situations, packaged in a re-imagined shipping
container
Developed charts & graphics used to win investors from Ethiopia, North Korea & the US
Designing a proof of concept farm in Sonoma, to be run in partnership with UC faculty & students
Architecture For Humanity, San Francisco, CA, US, Contributing Author, Volunteer
Wrote several articles published in the recently released book Design Like You Give a Damn II
Interviewed designers, architects & activists from around the world
Brookwood Group, San Francisco, CA, US, Project Administrator
Provides the graphic and organizational skills to help Brookwood’s projects run smoothly and elegantly
Assists in day to day management of an office of 6-15 people
Edits & formats text for project proposals, including a successful bid for project management support
services in a 2 million sf project that was planned for the San Francisco Mission Bay neighborhood
Abraxas Architecture, San Francisco, CA, US, Associate
Assists in design consultation and expert witness projects
Research & analyze building codes relevant to design, construction & due diligence projects nation wide
Played a pivotal role in developing and implementing the young company’s website, including coding,
graphic design & web management
Columbia University, New York, NY, US, MArch, Architecture
Received a dual Masters in Architecture and Urban Planning, which allowed me to research and design projects which emphasize the social and political impacts of design, from working with community groups in a Favela in Rio de Janeiro to develop building guidelines for their informal settlement, to traveling to Berlin to design new prototypes for refugee resettlement housing for one of the German Public Housing Authorities, and designing an educational and productive greenhouse for the roof of the Henry Street Settlement House right here in New York City.
University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, US, BArch, Architecture
Graduated with an overall GPA of 3.6, focus on sustainable design
Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, DE, Architecture
Attended TU Berlin as an exchange student supported by a full scholarship from the German government. Took several masters classes, including a design studio. All classes were taught in German.
Chamblee Charter High School, Atlanta, GA, US, High School, High School
Graduated in the top 5% of the class with a GPA of 4.0
