Melanie is a creative pragmatist with a preference for collaborative work, public works, and accessible architecture.
She's interested in exploring the field of architecture through a variety of professional lenses and continuing a practice of strong client relationships, careful research, and sustainable practices. She's a hard worker, and great at time management, and has a strong skill set including software (Revit, Rhino, AutoCAD, Adobe, SketchUp) as well as sketching, engineer coordination, and client communication. She has worked as a designer in Panama, Ecuador and the US, and is a LEED Green Associate.
IGreen Designs, Bloomington, MN, US, Designer / Revit Draftsman
Designer and draftsman at a small residential firm.
Wold Architects and Engineers, Saint Paul, MN, US, Architectural Designer
Architectural Designer working primarily on educational buildings in Minnesota, with projects ranging from mechanical renovations, additions, entire new buildings, interior renovations. My job often was to run coordination meetings with engineering teams and contractors; meet with clients; create SD, DD, CD drawing sets as well as creating marketing materials such as renderings and diagrams. I also did some CA work in this position. I primarily worked in Revit with some Adobe and AutoCAD work as well.
Bahia Beach Construction, Bahía de Caráquez, EC, Lead Designer, Marketing
Working with a small construction company in Ecuador, whose main goal is to assist in rebuilding the city of Bahia post-earthquake, in a way that sustainable ecologically, economically, seismically and socially.
They build public and private structures from locally sourced bamboo using a local team of construction workers. They have hosted educational seminars for people to teach them how to build with bamboo, which a seismically safe material, lightweight, and considerably cheaper than unsafe materials like concrete and brick. They bring student volunteer groups from the US to teach about mission-driven business, construction types and culture, while using income to generate homes for those who cannot afford them. The company places a premium on community relationships and sustainability.
My position was to assist in designing homes and creating visuals for clients and the construction team. I also lead an effort to increase our marketing abilities by widening our social media and online presence and researching marketing strategies. I used my abilities as a photographer to add to our marketing as well.
I spent the first month of my time with BBC working and living on-site in Ecuador, and for logistical reasons now work remotely with them from Minnesota.
Earth Train / Experience Mamoni, Chepo, Panama, Architecture Intern
While living in a remote, off-grid rainforest campus at the foot of the Continental Divide in Panama, I assisted this non profit with designing their expanding campus for groups, staff and interns, as well as documenting the existing structures and site.
Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston, MA, US, Bachelors, BFA in Architecture
Excellence in Architecture Design Award, Award
An award of recognition of exceptional designers and students in the 2016 year. Given by faculty.
Merit Scholarship, Scholarship
Received a coveted Merit Scholarship to assist me throughout my 4-year degree at MassArt.
