ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

My roles and responsibilities encompass many facets of the design and management process including:
* Project Design (site planning & test fits, building design, space planning & test fits)
* Project Management (schedules, budgets and staffing)
* Project Quality Assurance / Quality Control
* Business Development (proposals, RFQs, RFPs, interviews, networking)
* Design realization and implementation (carrying the project design forward while maintaining the design intent)
* Staying up to date with building codes, zoning, jurisdictional processes, building materials, specifications and construction techniques and details
* Coordination with consultants (structural, MEP, civil, AV, IT, etc.)
* Time management (tackling multiple projects and deadlines)
* All phases of project design (Concept, Entitlement, SD, DD, CD)
* Project documentation (Revit, AutoCad, Photoshop, BlueBeam)
* Construction administration (RFIs, Addendums, Bulletins, OAC Meetings)
* Code research, analysis, interpretation and implementation
* Growing and mentoring people
* Maintaining client relationships, communication and leadership throughout design and technical process
* Coordination with all necessary jurisdictions and entities (Planning, Building and Public Works / Engineering Departments, DSA, OSPHD, Department of Environment Health, Coastal Commission, EsGIL, FHA, etc.)

EXPERIENCE

Founder, Principal Architect + Designer | CONCEPT26designs
April 2019 – Present

Project Types: Commercial, Residential (Custom, Additions and Remodels), Restaurant, Tenant Improvements and Interiors

As the Founder, Principal Architect and Designer for CONCEPT26designs, I am responsible for all aspects of business development, marketing and branding, project design, production, management and construction administration.

CONCEPT26designs was born out of a concept to re-architect architecture. The idea is to slow down (“measure twice, cut once”) and make more informed decisions that align with each unique client and project’s vision and needs in mind.

As a boutique studio, I personally work with every client and lead every phase to ensure project success. Project success is defined by the client in advance of the commencement of every project to ensure we are aligned in the goals, scope and vision of the project.

Land Planning & Entitlement Specialist | Ware Malcomb | San Diego, CA
July 2021 – January 2022
November 2020 – July 2021 (Studio Manager, Architecture)
November 2019 – November 2020 (Senior Project Architect, Studio Lead)

Project Types: Commercial, Industrial, Retail, Cultivation, Healthcare, Education, Life Science, Build to Suit, Tenant Improvements and Interiors

My role at Ware Malcomb is very diverse. Currently, I consult on land planning, development and entitlements on complex projects in the San Diego region. My expertise helps owners and developers to maximize their properties to their highest and best use by utilizing zoning codes, specific plans, overlays, bonuses for affordable housing and by providing solutions that benefit the community, users and stakeholders.

Additionally, I aid in determining the jurisdictional pathway forward to project approval by using the various planning departments in the San Diego region. I work hand in hand with city staff and planners to ensure that good working relationships lead to project success and expedite the sometimes-arduous process of entitlements.

Previously, I was the Studio Manager for the San Diego Architecture Studio. I was responsible for the business development efforts for the studio, handling the day-to-day mentoring and management of the architecture studio team, project design and management for select projects and participation in the office’s leadership team to maintain the studio’s profitability and efficiency.

I worked directly with clients and their stakeholders to lead them through the design and construction process while maintaining their vision and goals for the project. I was responsible for proposals, negotiating fees and add services, creating design schedules and managing the design process.

Additionally, I managed select projects for the studio. I was responsible for managing and coordinating the team for those select projects, it’s budget/hours allotted, coordination with the various project consultants, maintaining the quality and accuracy of the documents, the project’s code compliance, assisting in evaluating construction budgets, schedules and bids, obtaining permits and construction administration.

Director of Design | Prest Vuksic Greenwood Architects | Palm Desert, CA
May 2019 – November 2019
July 2004 – June 2018

Project Types: Commercial, Hospitality, Retail, Cultivation, Healthcare, Multi-family Residential, Education, Restaurant, Build to Suit, Tenant Improvements and Interiors

During my time at PVG Architects, I worked my way through all phases of the design team and design process. My role began as a Draftsman/Job Captain and quickly developed into a Project Designer, Project Architect, Project Manager / Construction Manager and concluded as the Director of Design.

During my 14 years at PVG Architects, I successfully delivered a multitude of project types and was responsible for the entire design, documentation and construction process. At any given time, I could be working on a new ED and administration wing for a hospital and an award-winning housing project. Or an adaptive reuse Law School and a 12-building low-income multi-family project. My time at PVG Architects built the foundation for my extensive knowledge in the field of architecture and made me the well-rounded architect I am today.

Senior Project Architect | Gensler | San Diego, CA
June 2018 – April 2019

Project Types: Commercial, Hospitality, Retail, Restaurant, Multi-family Residential, Interiors, Tenant Improvement, Build to Suit

During my time at Gensler, I led the project team for Solana 101, a 2 story, 3 building mixed use project of approximately 49,000 square feet of office, 10,000 square feet of Food and Beverage/Retail and 33,000 square feet of multi-family Residential over 2 stories of subterranean parking in Solana Beach. The project included several technical complexities. I led the project team through to creative solutions that maintained the design intent. I was the client and contractor’s point of contact and developed a very successful working relationship with them in order to meet their financial, schedule and design goals.

Simultaneously, I led the project team for Town and Country Hotel, a 1 story, 2 building hotel lobby, 3-meal restaurant and market/café in San Diego. I provided technical, design and client leadership to the team while identifying opportunities to keep the project on budget and on time.

Additionally, I was a technical leader and resource for other teams and studios in the office and provided mentoring to my own team and others.

Intern | CO Architects | Los Angeles, CA
(Formerly Anshen + Allen, Los Angeles)
January 2001 – April 2004

Project Types: Healthcare, Higher Education, Laboratory

Notable Projects: Kaiser Permanente Panorama City, UCLA Medical Center – Santa Monica, UW Genomics Life Sciences

While completing my degree at USC I took a permanent internship at Anshen + Allen, Los Angeles. I spent 16-25 hours per week (full-time during summers) learning the construction document process of healthcare, higher education and laboratory projects. This included learning the submittal processes for DSA and OSPHD as well as the local authorities of Los Angeles, surrounding cities and Seattle. I participated in team meetings and met with project designers to implement their design vision in the design development stage. I helped produce work for the job acquisition stage, schematic design, design development, construction documents and construction administration. One of my tasks included analyzing the UCLA Medical Center – Santa Monica for ADA code compliance

Intern | Kristi Hanson Architects, Inc. | Palm Desert, CA
April 1999 – May 2000

Project Types: Custom Residential

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Associate Design Professor | College of the Desert | Palm Desert, CA
August 2012 – May 2016

Background:

In an effort to give back to the architectural community, I took a position as an Associate Design Professor at the local community college. I taught the first design studio class in the design class sequence for 5 semesters. This was a truly rewarding experience as I got to watch fresh future designers learn the value of composition and form through sharing with them my experience and knowledge of the design world. This gave me the opportunity to research current design trends for curriculum planning and stay current in my own designs. During that time, I was asked to sit on the board for Curriculum Development for the Architecture Program. Additionally, I taught a Real Estate Development class that focused on the General Plan, Zoning Codes and the process through which to get a building permitted through the city including the Planning Department approval process.

Responsibilities:
* Teaching Architectural Design and Real Estate Development (Planning & Zoning)
* Curriculum Development

PROFESSIONAL AWARDS

National AIA Housing Award
One and Two-Family Production Homes | May 2018

LINEA | Palm Springs, CA This project is a 14-house development with 4 unique models, the award going to the Residence G. As the Architect of Record, we took the project on at the conceptual phase and coordinated with the design architect, Poon Design, owner and contractor to create a new kind of spec home tract that embodied the essence of mid-century modern architecture. My role on the project ranged from project designer and architect to construction administrator and everything in between.

ACADEMIC AWARDS

King Student Medal Award
Research | December 2023

Named in honor of the late Jonathan King, co-founder and first president of the Architectural Research Centers Consortium (ARCC), the King Medal is awarded to one student per ARCC member institution. Selecting recipients is at member institutions’ discretion based on criteria that acknowledge innovation, integrity, and scholarship in architectural and environmental design research.

Housing Solutions for Our Communities
Grand Prize | May 2002

The Warehouse | Sand City, CA

This project was a response to the Housing Solutions for Our Communities Competition prompt for architects and students from all over the world to propose housing solutions for Monterey County, California’s intense housing crisis.

The proposed design approach was to convert the abundant inventory of abandon warehouses in Sand City to housing. The solution not only generated new opportunities for housing by utilizing existing infrastructure and buildings, but also changed the dynamic of the urban fabric of the area. The existing fabric is mismatch and scattered. This solution provides the opportunity to build neighborhood zones and industrial zones that are more appropriately distributed. Designed to attract both families and professionals, flats and townhouses are proposed with different configuration options to create diversity. Social interaction is encouraged through a central courtyard bringing light and air into the interior of the warehouse.

EDUCATION

North Carolina State University | Raleigh, NC
January 2021 – May 2023 | Master of Advanced Architectural Studies

University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA
May 2000 – May 2004 | Bachelor of Architecture

College of the Desert | Palm Desert, CA
May 1997 – May 2000 | Architecture Major, transferred to USC

LICENCES

Architect | State of California
June 2010 exp. 2025

Architect | State of North Carolina
June 2023 exp. 2025