Blog Archives

Education

Master of Architecture, NewSchool of Architecture & Design

Bachelor’s Degree, NewSchool of Architecture & Design

About

Ivan Hu is a seasoned designer and project manager with over a decade of expertise in architecture and construction. He earned both his Bachelor’s Degree and Master in Architecture from NewSchool of Architecture & Design, graduating at the top of his class with Summa Cum Laude and High Distinction honors. Ivan’s passion lies in creating cohesive, impactful designs with a meticulous eye for detail and a drive to explore innovative solutions to complex challenges. 

Currently, Ivan serves as a senior project lead at Ferguson Pape Baldwin Architects, where he oversees projects from schematic design through construction completion, managing a diverse range of project types and sizes from small tenant improvement to multi-buildings campus. He also contributes to the academic community as an adjunct faculty member at NewSchool, where he coordinates the Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL) program and manages the Internship Class. 

In addition to his professional and academic pursuits, Ivan is an award-winning photographer recognized throughout Southern California. 

Education

Master of Architecture, University of Pennsylvania

Bachelor of Arts, Architecture and Finance, University of San Diego

About

Bohan Lang is an architectural designer at SmithGroup. He holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with distinction, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of San Diego where he double majored in architecture and finance. Bohan has previously worked at firms such as Kohn Pedersen Fox and Array Architects, contributing to large-scale adaptive reuse, healthcare, and mixed-use projects. His expertise spans digital visualization, graphic design, digital modeling, parametric design, with a strong interest in material science, prefab construction, digital fabrication, and emerging technologies. 

Jesús Fernando Limón is an architect and educator based in Southern California. Born in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, he studied architecture at the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC) and earned a second bachelor’s degree from Woodbury University in 2005, a binational academic path that reflects his interest in cross-border urbanism. In 2012, Limón founded Prismatica, an award-winning architectural practice known for its innovative, bold, and contextually sensitive solutions that engage with the unique complexities of the binational San Diego-Tijuana region. His work focuses on creating dynamic, socially responsible spaces that bridge cultural, political, and geographical divides.

Education

• Master of Structural Engineering, University of California San Diego
• Bachelor of Science in Structural Engineering, University of California San Diego

About Steve

Steve Merritt is a licensed Structural Engineer and Project Manager at KPFF Consulting Engineers in San Diego. He has 15 years of design experience collaborating with architects, engineers, stakeholders, and builders. Steve attended UCSD for his undergraduate and graduate studies in Structural Engineering and has since been involved in notable high rise, university, industrial, and bridge projects.

Steve’s career has been complemented with an ongoing interest in academic mentoring and lecturing at UCSD, New School of Architecture, Woodbury University, and the ACE high school program. He has also been a guest professor for courses at UCSD and SDSU.

Outside of the United States, Steve has been a leader in post-disaster and development efforts in countries including Haiti and Sierra Leone. He also lived in Melbourne, Australia where he was part of the bridge construction team on a $1 billion Integrated Project Delivery freeway project.

Project Highlights

• Project Manager (2015-Present): San Diego Zoo Bridge – San Diego, California:
  Managing the design and construction of a 300-foot steel pedestrian bridge and elevated walkway ($12 million).
• Project Manager (2013-2016): Marriott Residence Inn – Anaheim, California:
  Managing the design and construction of a 9-story concrete hotel building ($50 million, 240,000 square feet).
• Site Engineer (2010-2011): Western Ring Road Expansion – Melbourne, Australia:
  Performed construction planning, procurement, scheduling, budgeting, and staffing for the construction of an 8-span concrete bridge ($50 million) and a single span steel bridge ($2 million). Entire project budget was $800 million for 10 miles of freeway including 16 bridges.
• Project Manager (2006-2008): Sony Electronics North American Headquarters – San Diego, California:
  Managed the design and construction of an 11-story steel office building with a pedestrian bridge and underground parking ($170 Million, 500,000 square feet). This project was awarded “Best new office building in the United States in 2009” by the leading U.S. construction publication, Engineering News Record.
• Project Manager (2004-2006): Diamond View Tower – San Diego, California:
  Managed the design and construction of a 15-story steel office building with underground parking ($60 million, 325,000 square feet).
• Project Engineer (2003-2004): San Diego State University Arts & Letters Building – San Diego, California:
  Performed design, analysis, and construction administration for a 6-storey steel classroom and office building ($19 million, 110,000 square feet).

Education

• MBA, Seattle University
• Bachelor of Architecture, University of Oregon

About Rich

Rich Mitchell joined Mackenzie as a project architect in 1989. He believes project success is rooted in collaboration and an integrated approach wherein all disciplines work in concert to achieve creative, efficient design solutions. As an early adopter of sustainability rating systems, he is a certified Green Globes Assessor from the Green Building Initiative and has led workshops to educate and mentor professionals towards accreditation. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Green Building Initiative from 2017-2018 and continues his volunteer executive board service as Immediate Past Chair. Rich is also active in community outreach and public speaking on the merits of equitable, diverse, inclusive, and sustainable design at colleges and universities around the country, including several at NewSchool of Architecture and Design. 

Additional Information

• Immediate Past Chair, Green Building Initiative Board of Directors (2019 – present)
• Chair of the Board, Green Building Initiative Board of Directors (2017 – 2018)
• American Institute of Architects, Portland Chapter Past President (2004 – 2005)
• American Institute of Architects, Northwest Pacific Region Board Member (2003 – 2005)
• American Institute of Architects Idaho Design Awards Judge (2016)
• U.S. Green Building Council Member

About Thomas

Tom Mulica is an award winning licensed architect with diverse experience throughout the country including WA, TX, CA, KY and NM.  He believes the built world can and should provide joy and nurture that which makes us human.  He holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Washington and a BA in Art History from Emory University.  His desire to pursue architecture stems from his Peace Corps service in Zimbabwe where he realized the power of the built world to affect positive change on daily life.  He has been active in both Habitat for Humanity and Architects without Borders- Seattle where he lead an interdisciplinary team to rethink the planning of the Rabour Village Project, Kenya and to design their vocational training center.  As principal and owner of Story Architecture and Design, his design passion lies at the interface between architectural history, contemporary living and the craft of construction.  

Education

Master of Architecture, University of Washington

Bachelor of Arts – Art History，Emory University

Professional Experience: 

Principal/Owner – Story Architecture and Design, Inc.  – 2016-Present 

Licenses/Registration: Licensed Architect, State of California 

Selected Publications and Recent Research: 

 “Craft, Community and Connections” presented at: 

 The Path to Sustainable Development: Sustainable Ocean Education, Management, and Green Energy Cities  National Museum of Marine Science & Technology -  Keelung, Taiwan.  2024 

 “Design Teaching: Project Based Learning in Studio”; part of a week-long seminar presented to Department of Architecture at University of Inner Mongolia, 2023  

Education

• Master of Architecture, Montana State University
• Bachelor of Architecture, Montana State University

About Brett

Brett Tullis has been practicing architecture in San Diego since 1992 and is currently a Principal at Sillman Wright Architects https://www.sillmanwright.com/. Brett is a Leader who is focused on creating collaborative dynamic architectural solutions that exceeds the Client’s goals of function, sustainability, value, and schedule.

A long-time collaborator & lecturer with NewSchool, Brett and shares their vision of a collaborative design process focused on design excellence and sustainability partnered with professional business practice. Brett believes in an integrated team approach to design and construction that embraces the collaborative LEAN concepts of reducing waste and maximizing productivity. As a member of the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) he was instrumental in establishing a DBIA Student Chapter at NewSchool and is an Advisor to the DBIA Young Professionals Group. Brett received the DBIA Distinguished Leadership Award for his contributions to further the goals of Collaborative Design.

As an Advisor to the Integrated Path to Architecture Licensure (IPAL) Advisory Board, Brett supports the integrated approach to Education and Practice at New School providing professional guidance and insight as well as intern and job shadow opportunities. Brett is a LEED AP BD+C who is committed to designing Healthy Buildings that respect the Environment, Conserve Water and Reduce Energy Use with the goal of Net Zero Energy use. Design Excellence is a critical component of all projects and he has received Multiple Design Awards to recognize this vision.

Additional Information

• Principal Architect at Sillman Wright Architects since 2009
• California Licensed Architect
• NCARB
• American Institute of Architects (AIA) Member
• Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) Member
• DBIA Distinguished Leadership Award
• Juror DBIA WPR Awards Competition Design
• LEED AP BD+C
• US Green Building Council Member
• San Diego Regional Partnership Member
• Lean Construction Institute
• Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI) Member

About Nathan

Mr. White has over fifteen years of education and practice in design, management, development and construction. He is a real estate developer, professional project manager and a construction adviser leader of full turn key development services for projects of all scales in Southern California and Northern Baja California quickly branching out to the global market. As the CEO of AGESS, Inc., Nathan has been able to gain support from many local and state agencies for the Desert Shores Restoration project which was just allocated funds through the California Natural Resources Agency’s Salton Sea Management 10 year plan. Currently “Tres Lagunas” development (pictured above) is bringing binational partners together for a 1 billion dollar project to restore the Colorado River Basin by restoring the Northern Sea of Cortez, Laguna Salada and Salton Sea as a global climate change mitigation and management infrastructure effort. Mr. White is also a Development Project Manager II with the City of San DIego Development Services Department with an aim of bringing practical development experience and large scale planning tools to the New School curriculum for Urban Planning.