Experience
Freelance Architect 2002-Current
Self-Employed Consultant
- Provided timely and budget friendly design services for all types of residential, small commercial and retail projects.
- Performed project analysis & feasibility studies to ascertain viability of proposed project(s).
- Advocated on clients behalf with consultants, contractors and governmental agencies.
- Knowledgeable in local city regulations and processes for obtaining planning approvals and building permits.
- Appeared before planning commissions & design review boards to explain design intent (e.g. massing, colors, aesthetics, etc.) and responded to questions.
- Developed personal and professional websites, graphics and marketing materials.
- Established lasting relationships with clients and consultants by earning an excellent reputation of “under promising and over delivering.”
- Created compelling 3D visualizations.
Rene Architecture 2017-Current
Architectural Consultant:
- Generated designs for residential and commercial projects.
- Research planning & building codes to revise drawings, verify compliance and incorporate into details library.
- Construction documents for mixed-use MFR (type V over I).
- Create numerous 3D models for visualization and construction.
Todd Lawson AD 2015-2017
Architectural Consultant:
- Production of Construction Documents for Single Family Residential, Multi-Family Residential and Commercial projects.
- Code Research and verification of compliance.
- On-site measuring + documentation for as-built drawings.
- Creation of 3D models for visualization and construction.
Essalat Architects 2006-2014
Architect / Project Manager / Job Captain:
- Concurrently managed multiple large (10,000+) custom residential and small mixed use projects in various stages of completion.
- Considerable expertise in researching, interpreting and applying local city/county zoning ordinances and state/national building codes (UBC, CBC, UPC, CMC, etc.) to assure conformance of contract documents and drawings.
- Responsible for accuracy and timely submission of numerous planning, building and public works documents. Verified project forms produced by other office personnel for conformance.
- Drafted complete construction drawing packages, developed numerous complicated details and subsequently verified shop drawings.
- Coordinated drawings between consultants: MEP/Structural/Civil.
- Frequently interacted with city officials, developers, contractors and property owners to address conflicts and concerns. Mediated sometimes contentious disputes between various stakeholders (e.g. Owner, Contractor, Consultants, etc.) and clarified questions.
- Performed extensive construction administration.
- Engaged in site observations to verify construction conformed to contract documents.
CAD/IT/Office Management:
- Implemented office CAD standards & library and verified conformance by associates.
- Completed all office IT functions including installation, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of hardware/software.
- Managed office billing including AR/AP, client billing and reconciliation.
- Met with vendors, discussed new materials/methods and maintained office product literature library.
- Provided technical training to co-workers in ACAD, Photoshop, DropBox, Windows, etc.
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Education
MA: Urban Design & Planning Design Concentration on Urban Design (2017)
University of Washington
Coursework:
- Community Assessment: Engaged under represented local community to assess problems and explore options for addressing their unique needs
- Advanced Computer Lab in Urban Design
- Communication Skills: Public Speaking and presentation competence development
- Real Estate Development: Project Feasibility, Pro Forma analysis
BA: Urban Studies; Design Concentration on Urban Planning (2010)
San Francisco State University – Magna Cum Laude
Coursework:
- EIR/CEQA/NEPA
- Land Use Planning & Law
- Cartography utilizing ArcGIS
- Research Methods / Data Analysis
- Public Policy / Housing Policy
- Capstone project included re-designing high traffic intersection in San Francisco for SFMTA
Publications
“Examining New (Sub)Urbanism”
Urban Action 09: A Journal of Urban Affairs (2009)
Department of Urban Studies and Planning, San Francisco State University
Membership
Jackson Place Community Council
Board Member 2015-2019