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Back in 1965, when I was 12 years old and in middle school, I knew that someday I would be an Architect. I followed that dream up into High School in Battle Creek, MI, where I took an independent research course in Architectural Drafting because I'd already taken all the courses offered in this area. I graduated in 1971 in the top 10% of my senior class, but financially, College was not an option. I went to work at various construction jobs including carpentry, painting, apprentice plumber, and continued to work in these type jobs for the next 9 years while I pursued my education in Architecture
My first opportunity toward that goal came in 1972, when I attended Purdue's North Central campus in their Construction Technology curriculum. I attended Purdue 4 semesters, attaining a GPA of 5.2 (3.2 on the 4.0 pt scale). I then had to withdraw for financial reasons, and enlisted in the US Navy, where I was an Electrician's Mate. I left the Navy in 1975 and, using my GI Bill benefits, enrolled in Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, Michigan and attained an Associate in General Studies, Magna Cum Laude, in December of 1977. I had applied to the University of Michigan's Architecture school in 1975 and was given a list of courses required to qualify for enrollment, which I accomplished with the degree at KCC.
I subsequentially reapplied to the University of Michigan College of Architecture In the Fall of 1978. I attended 2 semesters at Michigan, attaining a GPA of 2.9, whereupon my GI Bill benefits were exhausted, and I again had to withdraw from school. I then spent 2 years as a union Plumbers Apprentice in the Ann Arbor, MI area, and married my college sweetheart from U of M. She was offered a position in the NYC metro area, so off we went.
I spent the next 10 years employed as a draftsman in various firms, still seeking to attain that dream of becoming a licensed Architect. That dream was on it's way to being realized in 1988, when I qualified to take the ARE in Connecticut on a combination of education and work experience. I took the ARE, and passed all but the Design portion, where I simply drew a blank. By this time I was working as a Project Manager with 6 interns under me at James Walden Architect in Greenwich, CT.
I retook the Design portion of the ARE in 1979, and passed with flying colors, even finshing early. The Dream was finally realized!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was licensed as an Architect in Connecticut in March, 1990, and immediately applied, and was granted a license in New York by reciprocity in April, 1990. I continued working for James several months, but he was in poor health, and the firm was floundering, so I struck out on my own.
Why do I bore you with this story? For 2 reasons.
1) I believe it illustrates my determination of establishing a goal and working steadily toward it, and it expresses my self-motivation in the face of long odds.
2) I gained a great deal of hands-on experience in the construction field, which I believe is sorely lacking in the education of Architects to this day.
The story does not stop here by any means, but I will continue shortly with Chapter 2...............
Reinhardt Architecture Inc., Associate
On Sabbatical: While not actively working on any projects with Rick during this period, Rick and I have both been seeking potential clients in North Carolina and South Carolina, with the intent that I would return if and when that transpired.
In 2008, when I left active employment with Rick due to lack of work for the firm, in my capacity as CAD Manager I was exploring the option of implementing Revit Architecture as our means of project delivery, along with my duties as Project Manager for various projects. Also at this time I was also enrolled in the NCARB BEA program, and my NAAB/EESA educational evaluation identified Design Studio courses to be completed to correct these deficiencies.
This exploration piqued my interest in Revit, and, given my goal of NCARB certification, those coincided, and in the Fall of 2009 I enrolled in the School of Architecture at Clemson University for independent research into Revit Architecture, in the form of Studio Design Courses which met the requirements of NAAB/EESA. My studies at Clemson are completed as of May, 2011, and all of my NAAB/EESA Design Studio requirements are fulfilled. Since that time Rick and I have redoubled our efforts to obtain projects in North Carolina and South Carolina, where he is licensed, and in New York, where I am licensed.
All to no avail at this point, but that could change at any time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reinhardt Architecture Inc., Project Manager/CAD Manager AutoCAD 2008
Project Manager: Responsible for overseeing 8 interns in all aspects of the preparation of Construction Documentation including Specifications, and Construction Administration, from Schematic Design thru Project Closeout. My responsibilities were as follows:
SCHEMATIC DESIGN
1) Perform preliminary site analysis including project programming, zoning analysis, building code analysis and develop schematic designs.
2) Prepare 2D and 3D presentation drawings.
3) Make client presentations, revise drawings as required and communicate those revisions based on discussions and input from the Owner and various Consultants.
4) Coordinate designs with schematic input from various consultants (Civil, Structural, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Interior Design, etc.).
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
1) Perform more detailed site analysis including project programming, zoning analysis, building code analysis and begin to develop Construction Drawings.
2) Prepare 2D and 3D Presentation and Construction Drawings.
3) Make client presentations, revise drawings as required and communicate those revisions based on discussions and input from the Owner and various Consultants.
4) Coordinate designs with more refined input from various consultants (Civil, Structural, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Interior Design, etc.). Develop Project Standards for the intergration of Architectural and Consultant's drawings.
5) Begin developing Project Specifications, in coordination with various Consultants.
6) Meet with regulatory agencies as required to verify/clarify their requirements.
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS:
1) Finalize and document any regulatory agency requirements, including Zoning and Building Code, prepare Life Safety drawings with UL requirements based on Building code analysis.
Under Construction
AB Design Group Inc., Dept. Manager, Large Projects Construction Admistration Dept.
I was specifically hired at AB Design Group to oversee CA for the Lighthouse Key Project (see portfolio), as well as develop and implement the Large Projects Construction Administration Department for AB Design Group. Installed in a large office adjacent to Wally McKie, the lead Architect for the project, we worked hand-in-hand throughout construction and closeout of the project. When I came on board, this project was just a couple of holes in the ground, and there was no established framework in place for the firm to handle projects of this scope and duration. With 2 interns at my disposal on a part-time basis, I embarked on creating the Large Projects Construction Administration Dept for AB Design Group.
My responsibilities included all aspects of CA for this and future projects, the highlights of which are as follows:
1) Coordinate all Architect/Contractor/Developer communications and correspondence.
2) Review and prepare responses to all Building Dept, Planning and Zoning, and other regulatory agency reviews and comments, including the design, preparation and issuance of any Drawing or Specifications Revisions required.
3) Review and respond to all contractor Requests for Information/Clarification, including the design, preparation and issuance of any Drawing or Specifications Revisions required.
4) Review, comment on, and forward contractors Requests for Payment to the Owner with recommendations and evaluations of work completed.
5) Attend weekly meetings with the Owner, Contractor, and Subcontractors regarding Progress of Work. Review and comment/approved meeting minutes. Attend any special meeting as required to resolve construction/contract issues.
6) Attend Contractor and SubContractor pre-construction meetings as required.
7) Conduct weekly Field Inspections of the work during progress. Identify and advise the Owner and Contractor of the results of such inspections and any concerns arising therefrom.
8) Conduct Special Inspections and reports as required by the Buiding Code by the Architect, and coordinate Special Inspections and reports required by the Architect's consultants. Coordinate and keep records of any Special Inspections performed by Consultants hired by the Owner.
9) Review and resond to Shop Drawings submitted by the Contractor, forward to Consultants as required, and update any changes required by approved Shop Drawings to the Project Drawings, and issue revisions as may be required.
10) Review Change Orders initiated by all parties to the Contract for Construction, evaluate for impact on the Project Budget, and the Contract Drawings/Specifications, and make recommendations to the Owner.
11) Maintain complete and accurate recordkeeping of all aspects of the construction progress.
12) Perform inspections and prepare punch lists during Project Closeout as required to ensure completion to the satisfaction of the Owner.
13) Coordinate with Contractor and Consultants to ensure commisioning of Building Systems.
14) Coordinate with regulatory agencies to receive Occupancy Permits and Permit Closeout as required.
The responsibilities above hit the highlights of the myriad issues that are involved during Construction Administration, but it reflects how my days were constantly busy for the 15 months or so of construction and closeout for this project.
In addition to actually performing the responsibilities for CA for this Project, I was also developing standards, required forms, etc. for the CA Department as a whole for use on future projects.
