BFA in Architecture at SCAD

SAVANNNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN_

LEED Green Associate

January 2023

Architectural Designer at Smithgroup

Boston, MA Healthcare, Higher Ed, S&T

Architectural Intern at Greenline Architecture

Savannah, GA Residential, Commercial

Architectural Intern at DVA Architects

Rockville, MD Residential, Commercial, S&T

Community Member for Boston Center for the Arts

Participated in events such as the Art Book Fair

Volunteer for Charles River Cleanup

Cleaned the river of invasive species such as water chestnuts

Mentorship & Social Media for LIT (Leaders in Tech)

CoLed the mentoship program and ran social media spotlights showcasing women in design

Communications Chair for NOMAS

Organized events such as potlucks and workshops

When I was a child, I would often participate in free clinics in the Philippines. It was my job to set up chairs in the open air gym, where I would test different configurations to see the results. Linear configurations often left empty or overcrowded seats; clustered seats yielded children playing together on the floor while mothers chatted. In this makeshift space I found the potential for a vibrant community, one which could be facilitated through design. The open configurations facilitated dynamic conversations with the mothers as I gathered their medical information or handed out medicine. Connecting with them strengthened my sense of fellowship. Our lives were drastically different, yet we were connected by occupying the same space, a space which created community.

This early exposure to how program and space can affect the experience of the whole inspired my architectural pursuit. I obtained a BFA at the Savannah College of Art and Design. At SCAD, I was able to pursue a conceptual side of architecture. My design centered around questions such as how people could connect through architecture. Who would be a part of this experience? How could their experience improve? How could this impact the community? To strengthen my design process I took insights from other aspects of design. I became active in Leaders of Inclusive Thinking (LIT) a collection of UX, Service, and other design majors which sought to create an inclusive design environment. Through our mentorship program, I developed an interest in Service design tools and resources, such as interviews and personas, and began applying them to my architectural design.

After graduating, I took time to understand the industry and develop technical skills. Through the help of Smithgroup in Boston, I delved into the world of healthcare and higher education architecture. I was able to see the impact of design at many different scales, including the impact architecture had on people. Here, I discovered a passion for planning, and deepened my commitment to creating architecture which connects people.

Throughout my career I have had the privilege to participate in different communities. From a friend in the Philippines which inspired my love for design; to a student in Savannah, who learned to ask questions and think empathetically; and now a professional in Boston, where I enhanced my technical tool kit for design. I’m looking to find a new community. One which values empathetic architecture, where I can pursue these questions of what creates a community and innovate alongside my peers. My goal in architecture is to create spaces which are tailored to the community it serves and facilitate a sense of belonging. I want to build off the skills I developed and refine my design process to understand and improve how people connect through the built environment.