During architecture school I had a wonderful job, at the UI Sustainability Center. My work there integrated involvement in academics and civics, design and sales, public relations and management. So since graduation I have made a conscious effort to stay involved, to continue to develop these aspects of myself through other venues.
I am currently on the writing staff of scholarly website devoted to the study of informal urbanism and other urban issues called favelaissues.com. As well, I serve as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of a new non-profit, called LDS Earth Stewardship, whose mission is to promote sustainability on the personal and socio-cultural levels. I recently taught studio as an adjunct professor, and continue to participate as a guest lecturer and guest juror.
My design interests are in design/build, design theory, urban morphology, informal urbanism and sustainable design techniques, and ecologically-minded integration of the built environment.
Between 2010 and 2011 I began research in Rio de Janeiro's favelas to explore the sustainability implications of informal development and to begin framing informal urbanism as a model for sustainability practices in planning and design. I continue to write and lecture based on that research.
Outside of design and construction practices, I love to spend time fishing, canoeing, mountaineering, and bird watching with my daughters.
Drollette Construction, Moscow, ID, US, Construction Superintendent
Oversee and participate in all phases of construction process including estimates, budget, payroll, and on-site supervision.
University of Idaho Department of Architecture, Moscow, ID, US, Adjunct Professor
Direct 3rd Year studio in such a way that students increase understanding of site design, place identification, materiality and structure, building integration, universal design/accessibility, integrated sustainability, and graphical presentation.
Broke in Oakland, Moscow, ID, US, Designer/Builder
Design and construct an adaptive reuse of a turn of the century structure that had previously served as a carriage house and cabinet shop. We adapted the building into a soundproof music recording studio bridging the structure's history with its current use.
University of Idaho Sustainability Center, Moscow, ID, US, Student Programs Coordinator / Marketing Coordinator
Work with university students and administrators to plan, propose, implement and manage all sustainability efforts relating to the student body, including energy efficiency improvements and retrofits, solid waste management and mitigation, food sourcing. Promote sustainability practices in the campus community through print, digital, social, and other media. Plan and promote campus events regarding sustainability such as guest speakers, festivals, and academic fora. General outreach and marketing for sustainability practices and programs.
Blackbird Architects, Inc., Santa Barbara, CA, US, Architectural Intern
Architectural, rendering, design and model building. Blackbird's office, is small with a very studio work environment where tasks are shared and everyone is expected to take on a variety of tasks requiring varied skill sets, so while there my first task was a floor plan an section for a small building part that was part of a large master planning project. I met with the clients for that building. I also did as-built research and as-built drawings for two different projects, drawings for two projects, built mock-ups and a light model, and helped with graphics for the firm's website.
Stoney Brook Construction, Moscow, ID, US, General Contractor Assistant
Assist and coordinate the various trades working on a highly energy efficient home. Some of the "green" features of the home that I helped on were a vacuum tube solar heated radiant floor system and Aarx Insulated Concrete forms.
University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, US, MArch, Architecture
While working toward my Master's degrees, I was earned a significant research grant to study the sustainability implications of informal development, focused primarily on Rocinha in Rio de Janeiro. My Master's Thesis project, spun off from this research allowing me to further explore the specifics of Rocinha's engagement with the formal city and with the city government, and propose a central library to serve the Rocinha neighborhood itself as well as the rest of the city's South Zone allowing a bridge between the formal and informal areas of the city.
University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, US, BArch, Architecture
At Idaho I was able to pursue my personal design interests including design theory, phenomenology in design, universal design, and sustainable design practices.
Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, US, Bachelors, International Law and Diplomacy
Between my freshman and sophomore years, I served a two year mission to Brazil which experience inspired me to choose Latin American Studies as my emphasis for this field of study. The most valuable lessons I gleaned from my first bachelor's degree were that the ability to ask directed questions, to research complex issues, and to critically challenge ideas and propose alternatives.
