Archinect
Daniel Kahala

Daniel Kahala

Los Angeles, CA, US

 

About 

Accomplished project manager and architectural designer experienced in all phases of architectural and BIM services with 12+ years work experience in international and domestic commercial, custom residential, mixed use, health care, adaptive reuse and infrastructure projects. Enthusiastic leader, able to inspire and build motivated teams focused on achieving innovative design solutions based on client programming, budget and site conditions. Background in modern European Architecture with a strong conceptual design approach, detail oriented and cost cognizant at the same time. Quickly able to solve problems while keeping focused on the architectural integrity of the project. Furthermore very proficient in BIM modeling, management and quality control against BIM industry standards for large scale projects.

Employment 

CADForce a Neilsoft Company, Culver City, CA, US, BIM Manager

Managed, reviewed and monitored large scale BIM projects for various clients including commercial, healthcare, infrastructure and residential projects. In addition to managing projects, I developed BIM templates and guidelines, BIM Level of Development requirements (LOD) and assisted in developing BIM Execution and Management Plans and Standards as a customized BIM hand-off project requirement manual for Owners, Architects and Builders.
Key accomplishments:
• BIM Project management for multiple projects including tenant fitout for large scale residential and commercial pursuit packages for architects and contractors.
• Monitored, reviewed and assessed large scale BIM development for the new Martin Luther King Medical Center in Compton, CA. The proposed project includes the renovation of the Inpatient Tower and new construction of the Multi-service Ambulatory Care Center/ Ancillary Building (MACC) with a total of 348,000 sf and $350M construction cost target.
• BIM Project management for the Underground Site Utilities on the LAX Central Utility Plant Replacement project in collaboration with the GC and project engineers. The proposed project includes replacing the old CUP, upgrading all underground utilities for all existing Terminals and connecting the new Tom Bradley Terminal to the new CUP. The projected
Construction Costs are budgeted at $430M.
• BIM Project Management and CDA support in collaboration with the GC for the CUNY Science Research Center in New York.
• Developed BIM templates and standards for the San Diego Unified School District by assisting SDUSD in converting their CAD standards and specs to BIM.

Aug 2010 - current
 

Beth Wells Architecture LLC, Pacific Palisades, CA, US, Project Designer/ Manager

Designed and developed numerous custom single family homes from schematic through construction administration phase, based on client program, budget and site conditions. Worked closely with client and contractor to develop design and project goals. Coordinated project consultants, managed bidding process and supervised construction from rough to finish.
Key accomplishments:
• Completed a 1,500 sf condo renovation in Westwood, CA for $200/ sf.
• Completed a 550 sf commercial tenant improvement in Pacific Palisades, CA for $90/ sf
• Designed and developed a new three unit condo building in Westwood, CA with a total of
10,000 sf and a targeted $250/ sf construction cost budget. Led the project from
schematics through design development and achieved city approval for a height variance.

Oct 2006 - Jul 2010
 

Brian Alfred Murphy Architects, Inc., Santa Monica, CA, US, Project Designer/ Manager

Designed, developed, and managed numerous custom single family and multifamily projects as well as various commercial tenant improvements from remodels to new constructions in all phases from concept through construction administration phase based on client program, budget and existing site conditions. Worked closely with the client to develop design and project goals and coordinated these project goals with project consultants and city officials. Managed project consultants to meet milestones and responded to RFI’s according to project goals.
Key accomplishments:
• Developed a winning design concept for two production companies to convert two existing
butler buildings into office and production spaces in Los Angeles, CA with a total of 14,500
sf. Managed and further developed one of the two tenant improvements from schematics
through construction documentation and pulled permits.
• Introduced Revit as the new CAD tool to the office to replace AutoCAD which helped to
run future projects more efficiently and saved on production time and cost.

Feb 2007 - Jul 2009
 

Jeffrey Eyster Architects, LLC, Santa Monica, CA, US, Project Designer/ Manager

Designed and developed numerous custom single family projects from remodels to new constructions in all phases from concept through construction document phase based on client program, budget and existing site conditions. Worked closely with the client to develop design and project goals. Coordinated design goals with city officials, design review board and home owner associations for project approval.
Key accomplishments:
• Achieved city approval for a new single family home in Los Altos Hills in the first round.
Allowable gross area of living space was maxed out and design was approved without any
alterations.

Sep 2003 - Sep 2006
 

Bob Abrahams Architects, LLC, Los Angeles, CA, US, Project Designer

Assisted in the production of construction documents (CAD) for a large scale mixed use project in
Santa Monica, CA with 137 units, retail and a total of 324,000 sf.

May 2002 - Aug 2003
 

Andreas Scholz Architects, Potsdam, Germany, Project Designer/ Manager

Developed, designed and managed a partial renovation of an 18th century monastery from early concept through construction administration phase. Worked closely with the client to meet project goals, coordinated project consultants, assisted in the bidding process and supervised construction from rough to finish.
Key accomplishments:
• Completed project within 13 month from start to finish for $200/ sf and a total of 8,500 sf.

Jan 2001 - Apr 2002
 

Hilmer + Sattler + Albrecht Architects, Munich, Berlin, Germany, Project Designer/ Manager

Managed and further designed a large housing development with a total of 73 units in Munich, Germany through 100% DD. Worked closely with the project developer to setup project goals and coordinated these goals with project consultants. In addition I assisted in the production of construction documents for a large scale commercial, hospitality and institutional project in Berlin and Pforzheim, Germany.
Key accomplishments:
• Housing project was published in bauwelt 39-40/03

Jan 2000 - Dec 2000
 

EHS Architects, Munich, Germany, Project Designer

Assisted in the competition of two institutional and one commercial project in Germany. Designed the project according to competition program and site conditions; generated presentation drawings and
model.
Key accomplishments:
• Design proposal for an office building ranked place 20th from 450 entries (3rd round).

Sep 1999 - Dec 1999
 

Augustin und Frank Architects, Berlin, Germany, Intern

Assisted in developing competition drawings and presentation model for a new Kindergarten project, assisted in the production efforts for a large scale low income housing project and helped improving the exterior building envelope of a midsize office building in Berlin, Germany.
Key accomplishments:
• Assisted in the competition of a new Kindergarten in Berlin-Staaken, Germany. The design won the 1st prize and was published after completion in bauwelt 5/98 and Architektur Aktuell 2/99.

Sep 1995 - Feb 1996
 

Education 

University of Rosenheim, Rosenheim, Germany, BArch, Architecture and Interior Design

German Degree (Dipl.-Ing. FH) in architecture and interior design at University of Rosenheim, Germany

Oct 1993 - May 1998
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills