Blog Archives

Associate, Payette
What was your favorite aspect of attending NewSchool?

The intimate and supportive community of faculty, staff, and students.

What projects are you currently working on?

Planning and programming for academic science buildings. Currently working on a needs assessment and space plan study for the Plant Science Building at Cornell University.

What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

Managing a school construction project in rural Guatemala with Engineers without Borders.

 

Co-Founder and Managing Director, Diad Architecture

Jorge A. Zapata is the co-founder of Diad Architecture in New York, New York, a full-service architecture firm that works on projects ranging from cultural, residential and commercial buildings to product and furniture design. As managing director, Zapata oversees client relations, office operations, and directs projects from conception through habitation. He closely oversees all aspects of design, balancing the pragmatic considerations of construction and the pursuit of ideas. His designs include the Kent Avenue Arts Center, opening in January 2017, as well as the Seaside House.

Zapata graduated from NewSchool in 1995 with a degree in architecture, previously receiving a Diplôme de Langue et de Culture Françaises (language and art history) at L’Université Catholique de L’Ouest in Angers, France. According to Zapata, he was moved by his teachers and fellow students at NewSchool and went on to attend Yale School of Architecture. He was awarded the Charles O. Matcham Scholarship upon graduating with a master’s degree in architecture from Yale. Zapata has been invited as a guest juror to various design studios at the New York Institute of Technology, New Jersey Institute of Technology and has taught architecture-related courses at the PRATT Center for Continuing and Professional Studies.

“I have very fond memories of when I studied at NewSchool of Architecture & Design and I am very grateful for the education I received,” said Zapata. “My time there as a student consolidated my passion for architecture, a passion which I am continually trying to nurture. I believe the foundation I received at NewSchool, through the teachers and friends I met there, as well as the learning environment that we as students were surrounded with, kept me true to my passion.”

Jorge A. Zapata was named the 2015 Alumni of the Year for his body of architectural work.

Director, KMD Architects

When KMD hired John in 1996 to work in its Justice division, he became interested in the “humanity of architecture” and how to apply evidence-based design within juvenile justice, detention, and mental health treatment facilities.

He has built more than 35 juvenile facilities, including the San Mateo County Youth Services Center, which has won multiple awards for its environmentally friendly and humane design. John lectures around the country and internationally, encouraging architects to apply principles of humanization to prison and related environments.

“Due to their special populations of youth at risk, juvenile facilities tend to be residential in nature, so you have a greater opportunity to play with color, light, and openness — a lot of amenities you rarely find in an adult facility such as jail or prison. It’s much more redeeming to work with progressive clientele on that type of project, where you can actually create attractive buildings whose physical environments actively contribute to the welfare and well-being of those who live and work there. My favorite thing is working with clients and making them happy. Creating unique solutions to complex planning and operational issues. You’re often working with very diverse owner teams, where you have a number of stakeholders with opposing interests. So consensus building is a big part of what I do on a regular basis.” — John MacAllister

 

Designer, DBRDS (De Bartolo Rimanic Design Studio)

After receiving his B.Arch from NewSchool, Craig has become an important voice in the San Diego architecture community. Craig is a Designer at DBRDS and previously served as the Vice President of the Board for the San Diego Architectural Foundation, San Diego’s biggest community outlet for architecture and design.

Craig is also heavily involved with the annual Orchids & Onions event during Archtober Fest which celebrates the best and the worst architectural contributions to the San Diego built environment. Along with an impressive resume including work with Cyrus Cowasjee Architects, Studio 1 Architects, and DBRDS, Craig also acts as a mentor for current NewSchool students through the NewSchool Alumni Mentorship Program.

Design Director, Gensler
Why did you choose this school?

I chose it for the unique curriculum and urban setting. At the time when I joined NewSchool, the San Diego Downtown core was undergoing a redevelopment program and the proximity of the school to this area allowed me to explore and implement what I was learning in school.

What was the most important thing you learned here?

The relationships you develop with faculty and classmates while in school are as important as the subjects you learn.

What was the most interesting project you did?

My thesis project was the most interesting, but the most fun was traveling to Paris for 14 days to learn urban planning from the French. To this date, the impact of the hands-on city explorations have remained imprinted and I often draw from that experience.

Any words of advice for future students?

Enjoy your time as a student, think outside the box, pay attention to the design process and if you have to work while studying, find a balance. The workplace will always be there but not school.

What was your favorite place to hang out?

Little Italy, it was fun to sit in the street cafes under the low-rise buildings.

Are you still in contact with the school?

Yes, you could say I never left. Shortly after I graduated, one of my mentors asked me if I would like to be a teaching assistant for his class and then it evolved into an opportunity to teach design courses.

Was the transformation from graduation to working life a smooth one?

It was for me. While I was in my last year at NewSchool, one of my professors encouraged me to interview at a local architectural firm and I was lucky to have obtained a paid internship followed by a full-time position.

 

Hometown: Olympia, Washington

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate the achievements of women across the world. It is an opportunity to show how far we have come, and to reveal the possibilities of a future where women are elevated by their entire community.

What woman inspires you and why?

The women I find most inspiring are the unknown, unnamed women who stand up for what they believe in and strive to make the world a better place at every scale no matter how small. This includes teachers, mothers, designers, shift workers, nurses, doctors, and beyond.

Why did you choose to study architecture?

From a young age, I was manipulating space and my physical environment, constantly rearranging everything in my childhood home and creating elaborate worlds. In college, I was introduced to the field of Architecture and Design and it was an instant fit. Architecture was the perfect combination of art, beauty, hard science, and psychology, all of which I am passionate about.

Why should women and girls pursue an education in the architecture, design, or construction management industry? Why is it important to encourage women and girls?

Women and girls should pursue architecture, design, and construction management because they should pursue anything and everything that ignites their curiosity. This industry is a beautiful combination of skills, knowledge and creative thinking. Girls and women have immense creative potential and should pursue industries that encourage innovation, creativity, and collaboration.

What’s something interesting you’re currently working on? Personal or academic.

Personally, I am continuing to create resources that bridge the research of children, creativity and learning with the realities of designing and building schools in the United States through the Building Creative Schools Project. This process includes ongoing research and translation of the information into a form that school facility and education stakeholders can use to improve their schools. Learn more at BuildingCreativeSchools.org.

Professionally I am overseeing the construction of the whole site modernization of the Lindbergh/Schweitzer Elementary School in Claremont, San Diego. The project includes a new classroom building and upgrade of all facilities on campus. The design focuses on improving the learning environments for every student and integrating spaces that support the needs of students with disabilities throughout the school.

What do you think is the biggest issue today facing women of your age?

The women of my generation are among the most driven and hardworking people I know. Ambition and resourcefulness have never been a problem for women. The problem facing us today is that we are expected to constantly take on more responsibility, balancing it all, without adequate rest or compensation in order to be successful. This leads to burnout. I look forward to a time when women don’t have to fight so hard to be heard, so that instead of sharing about our hardships, we are freed to share our ideas.

What has you most excited about the future?

I get really excited thinking about the positive impact future generations will make because of the improvements and strides my generation are making, including giving children more equitable opportunities and fostering their innate creativity. We still have a long way to go, but it is exciting to see the progress and to think about the potential of future generations.

On International Women’s Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young women thinking about their education?

Follow what you are curious about, not what you think you should do. During your education, you have the freedom to explore a lot of different ideas, methodologies and subjects. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, challenge what doesn’t feel right to you, and most of all stay creative.

Hometown: Vernon Valley, New Jersey

What makes earning a degree at NewSchool special?

The diversity of the student body as well as the professors.

What was your favorite thing about attending NewSchool?

The location is ideal as well as the weather. Design-wise, San Diego has a diversity of districts and each has its own architectural style and historical significance.

How did NewSchool help prepare you for your career?

I learned to be more productive at NewSchool.

What have you been doing since you graduated?

I have designed some great projects and look forward to shaping the future of architecture.

What projects are you currently working on?

Currently, I am licensed in NY, NJ, and Florida. I have been busy working on commercial and custom residential projects in these three states.

What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

I was able to design and build an elegant, energy-efficient custom residence on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

Don’t be late for your classes!

Why should a prospective student choose NewSchool?

There is real value in the education one receives at NewSchool.

 

 

Shawn’s Favorite Professional Project
Thornbird House: A Custom Home on the Island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas

Hometown: Dorbin, Austria

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

It’s a day for our society to celebrate women’s achievements – economically, professionally, but also culturally and socially.

What woman inspires you and why?

As a passionate diver & free diver – and an underwater world lover – I have always admired the marine biologist, Dr. Sylvia Earle. She dedicated her whole life to research a field which was at that time dominated by men. Her persistence and courage allowed her to reach what she intended to.

Why did you choose to study architecture?

I received my Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Liechtenstein. However, during my studies, I missed one thing: the human component in architecture. In the end, we should be building FOR people and their needs. I then found NewSchool, which offered its Neuroscience program. Their Master’s Degree was all about how architecture influences us humans psychologically and neurologically. Something that has been important to me ever since.

Why should women and girls pursue an education in the architecture, design, or construction management industry? Why is it important to encourage women and girls?

Designing a building takes a lot of time and effort – and also knowledge of different craftsmanships involved in the process. When I plan something – whether it is a smaller renovation or a whole building, I get together with carpenters, electricians, etc. ahead of time – learn about their work – and include the newly gathered knowledge in my project. That’s how I ensure not just the best outcome but also the best collaborations on site. I never hesitate to ask questions, instead I try to ask as many as possible! So far these fields are more male-dominated, and I think women have a great sense for design, which is why I encourage girls and women to not be intimidated by construction sites – but instead embrace their talents and mix up this world.

What’s something interesting you’re currently working on? Personal or academic.

I have been renovating a lot myself lately. Our family’s glass business was started in my grandma’s house by my great-great-grandfather. After my father built a new building for the company my grandfather used the old rooms as his workshop. After his passing, the rooms haven’t been used, and I decided to turn them into my atelier. It took me about two months to brush off the wooden floors, fix the walls, redo the electricity (together with a professional), restore the old furniture, etc. the most important part however was to keep the space’s spirit alive. I didn’t sand off the wooden floors because I wanted to embrace the patina, nor did I fill up certain marks because they were from workers lifting the glass panels and scratching the ceiling on top. Renovating is not about creating something new, it’s about respecting the history of a building and carefully continuing to tell the building’s story. I enjoy working in my atelier now a lot – especially because I can still see my ancestors’ traces all over the place.

What do you think is the biggest issue today facing women of your age?

Often having to choose between starting a career or a family.

What has you most excited about the future?

How neuroscientific research on human responses will influence future buildings!

On International Women’s Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young women thinking about their education?

Follow your passion!

Hometown: Los Angeles | Jakarta, Indonesia

What was your reaction to hearing that you had been named NewSchool’s Alumni of the Year?

Honored

How have you stayed involved with NewSchool over the years?

I served on the Alumni Advisory Board as the Mentorship Committee Chair where we started an alumni mentorship program that is still active today. I then served as the Board President of the Alumni Advisory Board. Since then, I have continued to volunteer my time as a resource in different capacities.

Why did you choose to earn a degree at NewSchool and what did you enjoy most about it?

The program sounded collaborative, hands-on and was taught primarily by adjunct faculty who were also actively practicing in the field of architecture outside of the classroom.

How would you describe your experience as a student at NewSchool?

What stands out the most is the collaboration and mentorship I experienced with my professors and my classmates.

What was your favorite NewSchool class?

Design Studio

What is one thing you wish you would have done or taken advantage of during your time at NewSchool?

I participated in the Rome, Italy study abroad program, which was extremely rewarding and memorable. If I did it over again, I would have considered a second study abroad program.

What was the most important thing you learned at NewSchool?

The value of effective communication and presentation skills.

How did NewSchool help to prepare you for your career?

NewSchool challenged me to push myself beyond my limits and discover what I was capable of achieving.

What did you do after graduating?

I started a position at a boutique architecture firm.

What are you doing now? What projects are you currently (or recently) working on?

I lead the Higher Education studio for HED in San Diego, CA. We are currently working on multiple projects including a multi-phase campus expansion for a private university in San Diego.

What career achievements are you most proud of? What do you consider the biggest challenge of your career?

I am most proud of the client relationships I have developed.

What advice would you give to current students and younger alumni looking to follow in your footsteps?

I would share one of my favorite quotes: “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”