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Richard Hess

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Richard Hess

Education

Master of Architecture, NewSchool of Architecture & Design

Bachelor’s Degree, Architecture and Interior Architecture, Auburn University

About

Richard Hess is an accomplished designer with over 23 years of expertise in architecture, interior, and furniture design. He obtained his bachelor’s degrees in architecture and interior architecture from Auburn University before pursuing a Master of Architecture at NewSchool of Architecture & Design, where he graduated top of his class. Currently, Richard serves as the Director of Career Services at his alma mater, while teaching thesis and portfolio courses, equipping graduates for careers in the ever-evolving field of architecture and design. 

Ivan Hu

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. 

Bohan Lang

Bohan Lang, teaches in architecture department at NewSchool of Architecture & Design

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. 

Allen Mutchler

Allen Mutchler, registrar at NewSchool of Architecture & Design

Education 

MBA, University of Arizona Global Campus 

Master of Arts, Teaching and Learning with Technology, University of Arizona Global Campus 

Bachelor of General Studies, Liberal Studies, Georgia College & State University 

About

Allen brings almost 20 years of experience working in higher education, mostly in the Registrar’s Office. He began working as an enrollment advisor in 2016 for Ashford University and transferred to the Registrar’s Office in 2007. In 2011, he took on the role of managing the Registrar’s Office for online students at the University of the Rockies and has been the registrar at NewSchool since 2015. He was awarded a Global Product Services Award for Contribution to Student Success in 2017.   

Daniela Deutsch

Education

Master of Architecture, Darmstadt University of Technology

Bachelor of Architecture, Darmstadt University of Technology

About Daniela

Daniela Deutsch was educated in Darmstadt, Germany, where she earned both her Bachelor and Master of Architecture degrees. Daniela is multi-lingual and her architecture and teaching careers have flourished both in Germany and the United States. She is the co-founder of the award-winning firm, exitecture architekten, in Frankfurt, Germany, and Principal of exitecture archLab Inc. in San Diego, California. She has also worked as a project designer with Schneider and Schumacher (Frankfurt, Germany) and with Westfield, LLC Design Carrier Johnson + Culture, and Ballinger AE in the U.S.

Her teaching experience is as diverse as her professional efforts. Daniela has had a successful teaching career in both Germany and the U.S., spanning over 20 years. In the U.S., she has taught at Woodbury University, San Diego State University, University of California San Diego, University of San Diego, and Boston Architectural School.

At NewSchool, Daniela is the Dean of Architecture, and her most recent academic interests have led her to develop various interdisciplinary courses (both design studio and lecture classes), linking architecture to scientific theory as well as to the philosophy of technology and environmental sciences. Her methodology for teaching design is informed by her natural affinity to architectural practice as well as health, and environmental considerations. Representative examples of some of the more recent Integrated Design Studio projects are, “The Ford District” in Portland, Oregon, “A Waterfront for All” in Seattle, Washington, the “National City Project” in National City, California, and the 2019-2020 studio project, “A Wetlands Education and Research Center at Kendall-Frost Marsh” in Mission Bay, San Diego.

Recent awards with her firm, exitecture, are for the project WineBANK Mainz, winning a special mention in the category of Excellent Communication Design – Interior Architecture at the 2019 German Design Awards, and for the project LINDLEY LINDENBERG, in Frankfurt, Germany, chosen as one of the top 3 concepts in the Hotel Property Award of the Year 2019, as well as one of the 25 Coolest Hotels of the World by the FORBES List.

Bruce Matthes

Education

  • Master of Arts in English: Comparative Literature, California State University, Chico
  • Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science, California State University, Chico

Awards

  • NewSchool Faculty Member of the Year – 2012

Additional Information

  • Co-author of two books, including a recent text, Evidence Based Design: A Process for Research and Writing
  • Conference Presenter (Topic: The Evolution of Surfing: An Interdisciplinary Approach to General Education Course Design) at 52nd Annual Conference of the Association for General and Liberal Studies
  • Member, High Tech High Graduate School Taskforce

Biography

Bruce Matthes is an Associate Professor and Head of Integrative Studies at NewSchool of Architecture and design where he has been teaching and designing interdisciplinary courses since 2009. He holds a M.A. English from California State University, Chico where he taught literature courses from 2003-2005. He also completed his CA single subject teaching credential at National University in 1999. He is the co-author of two texts, including Evidence Based Design, published by Pearson/Prentice Hall in 2011. In 2012, he was awarded Faculty of the Year.

Matthes has presented at numerous academic conferences including WASC ARC 2018 where he spoke about his pedagogical approach: Integrative Studies: Establishing Realms of Study and Lenses of Understanding across Disciplines and at the 55th Annual Conference for the Association for General Education and Liberal Studies (AGLS) where he shared his expertise on how to engage international students in Myth of the City: A Diversity-Oriented Pedagogical Approach to uniting International Students and Faculty. Most recently, Matthes was invited on honorarium to read a chapter of his debut novel, Sanctuary, at the Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA) event Around the Campfire: A Spoken Word Gathering of Scribes and Storytellers held on February 4th, 2022.

Pedagogical Statement: Matthes believes that education is a concerted effort of both student and instructor to commit to lifelong learning. This is evident in the integrative model that he co-designed and continues to evolve at NewSchool of Architecture and Design. It is a pedagogical focus that stems from the belief that while the world may be getting smaller (metaphorically) its interconnectedness of regions, of peoples and cultures, is expanding. Therefore, the response to such change must be larger and it should move beyond an investigation into commerce (a model representative of many traditional curriculums) and instead, turn toward a rediscovery of the foundational human qualities that either link or divide us. Matthes uses the Integrative Studies diagram as a model to demonstrate how we may connect the disciplines of scientific and humanistic inquiry. It is an approach that he believes will lead to more innovative design solutions and one that was originally modeled in the text Evidence Based Design.

Victor Nacif

A passion for Design and Creativity, Victor Nacif attended the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan USA.

His education continued through two summer internships at Ford Design, Ford Motor Company. He has also engaged in Executive programs at Stanford University in Business Leadership, Stanford, California, USA, as well as HEC Creative Leadership in Jouy-en-Josas, France.

Victor has lived and worked in 8 Countries and speaks fluent English, Spanish and French. His career spans 38 years in Automotive Design for Nissan Motor Company, PSA Peugeot Citroën (now Stellantis), Ford Motor Company and Zimmer Automotive Corporation.

Victor and the NewSchool Design instructors apply the true meaning of Design, by instilling Human centered practices through interactions, systems and products to better our world. His continued dedication to helping a new generation of creatives in all the Design disciplines and cultures is what he considers his greatest achievement.

  • Design Chair at New School of Architecture and Design, San Diego, California, USA. vnacif@newschoolarch.edu
  • Partner, Industrial Design Tribe consultancy, with former graduates of NewSchool of Architecture and Design. theidtribe.co
  • Chief Creative Officer at brojure.com, and Partner at reiimagine.com and newhotelguide.com
  • Design Mentor at Intersection/The Design Academy, San Diego, California, USA

Stephen Matley

Education

  • Master of Business Administration, Chapman University
  • Bachelor of Science in Business Management, University of LaVerne

About Steve

Steve Matley has over 25 years of experience in leadership and management in multiple industries. His business management and project management experience was cultivated in real estate, land development, and construction, involving commercial, institutional, residential and public works projects. He has held positions as a General Building Contractor, a Senior Project Manager for an ENR top 50 rated agency construction management firm and Vice-President of Land Acquisition and Forward Planning for a production homebuilder. In these positions, Steve successfully planned and executed numerous projects including educational complexes, high-rises, master planned communities, production homes, custom homes, public works and infrastructure projects. He has been designated as an expert witness in real estate, development, and construction-related litigation cases.

As a business owner, Steve managed multiple companies of his own, including DCM Group Inc., a development and construction management consulting firm, which managed land acquisition, entitlement, and planning for projects valued at over a half billion dollars within an eight-year period. During this time, Steve personally managed dozens of projects, consistently performing above projected ROI expectations. He later was Owner and Principal of Building Solid Foundations, LLC, a leadership and business management advising and consulting firm. Currently, he serves as President of Coast 2 Coast Equities, Inc., a real estate investment, acquisition and development firm.

Steve is a member of the Construction Management faculty at NewSchool of Architecture & Design in San Diego, acting as Program Chair for the undergraduate and graduate degree CM programs and Associate Professor. He previously served as a professor for the Gordon and Jill Bournes School of Engineering at California Baptist University. Steve led the creation, curriculum development and WSCUC accreditation process for the Associates of Science Degree program in Construction Management at San Joaquin Valley College where he held various positions including Program Director, Division Manager and Student Dean.

Steve participates as a facilitator and speaker for educational seminars and workshops in both the construction / building industry and the general business environment. Notable presentations include expert panel facilitation for the CMAA (Construction Management Association of America), seminar and workshop presentations for the NAHB (National Association of Homebuilders) International Builders Show, and IVBCF’s Educational Speaker Series. The City of Temecula retained Steve to present the opening keynote for their inaugural Start-Up Week. In addition, he is the designated expert panel facilitator for the Business Leaders Summits, produced by BuildLeaders.org and FIRE Up Live Events produced by Finest Women in Real Estate. Steve is a certified trainer for the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) and presents as an expert for audiences in the education, real estate and construction industries, speaking for business workshops, seminars, conferences and symposiums.

Current Projects

  • NAVFAC Projects: NAWS China Lake – 180 buildings: fire/life safety retrofits and upgrades, Fire Alarm reporting and mass notification systems NSA Monterey Naval Post Graduate School – 3 buildings (educational research labs and offices), fire/life safety retrofits and upgrades
  • Land Development: Multiple land acquisition, forward planning, entitlement and development projects under Coast 2 Coast Equities, Inc.

Awards

Certificate of Recognition, California State Assembly, Melissa Melendez, 67th District Certificate of Recognition, Optimist International District 41, Outstanding Judging, Oratorical Contest Finals Certificate of Recognition, California State Assembly, Marie Waldron, 75th District District Champion, Toastmasters District 12 Speech Evaluation Contest Most Outstanding Employee Award, Gafcon, Inc. Advanced Communicator Gold (ACG) – Toastmasters International Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) – NAHB/HBI University of Housing Certified Green Professional (CGP) – NAHB/HBI University of Housing\ Certified Trainer – NAHB/HBI University of Housing Advanced Leader Bronze (ALB) – Toastmasters International Licensed General Contractor (B-inactive), State of California, CSLB

Memberships

Professional Member, National Speakers Association Member, NSA-GLAC (National Speakers Association – Greater Los Angeles Chapter) Gold Level Member, Fire-Up Connect Professional Resources Member, CMAA (Construction Management Association of America), San Diego Chapter, San Diego, CA Officer/Member, Rock Toastmasters Club, San Diego, CA Member, BNI Temecula 1 Chapter, Temecula, CA Officer/Charter Member, Toastmasters Professional Speakers, Advanced Club, Murrieta, CA Bootstrappers, Entrepreneurs Mastermind & Networking Group, San Diego, CA President, IVBCF (Inland Valley Business and Community Foundation), Temecula, CA Board Member, BIA (Building Industry Association) – Baldy View Chapter, Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino County, CA Member, BIA-SC (Building Industry Association of Southern California), Irvine, CA Member, NAHB (National Association of Homebuilders), Washington DC Affiliate Member, SRCAR (South Riverside County Association of Realtors), Murrieta, CA Club Advisor, Helper/Speaker, Student Venture, Vista Murrieta HS, Murrieta President / VP Membership, Toastmasters #7917, Temecula (Toast of the Valley) Area Committee Member, Young Life, Temecula Founding Board Member, Anza Valley Building Association, Anza, CA Leadership Council/Moderator, CBMC Forums, San Diego, CA Founding Member, Building Foundations, San Diego, CA Founding Member / Facilitator, Leadership Forums Professional Mastermind Professional Member, ICBO (International Conference of Building Officials – now ICC), Whittier, CA

Additional Information

  • Community Service & Affiliations: Steve has served as a Board Member for the Building Industry Association (BIA-SC, Baldy View Chapter), a Member of CMAA (San Diego Chapter), an Area Committee member for Young Life (Temecula Valley), a member of NAHB, an Affiliate Member of SRCAR (South Riverside County Association of Realtors), a member of ASC (Associated Schools of Construction), and is President of the Inland Valley Business and Community Foundation, a non-profit 501c3 organization.

Tiziana d’Agostino

Education

  • Bachelor of Art in Graphic Design
  • Diploma in Multimedia
  • Master of Media Psychology

UX Psychologist and Interaction Design consultant, Tiziana has more than 20 years of experience in the industry. She combines psychological insights with good design practices and a solid ethical framework to create inclusive user experiences that will persuade without manipulation or dirty tricks. She is a senior educator, teaching Interactive Design, UX, human Factors and Design Psychology at different secondary institutions. She has a background that includes, , along with years of design and web development, a bachelor degree in graphic design, a master’s in Media Psychology and several professional certifications, including Ethical Data Science, Behavioral Design and Social Psychology. She is the leader of the San Diego chapter of the Interaction Design Foundation and speaks at several organizations

Charner Rodgers, Ph.D.

Charner Rodgers, Ph.D.

Vice Chair of the National Association of Home Builders Student Advisory Board
1st Place Outstanding NAHB Student Chapter of the Year
2021 National Housing Endowment HELP Grant Winner

What year did you start teaching at NewSchool?

2011

What led you to pursue a career in the construction industry?

My father! He was my first hero and role model! I was introduced to residential construction at birth. My dad was a brick mason then later became a general contractor. I spent every summer going to work with him. In my family, the first-born male becomes a general contractor. I am my dad’s only child, so I was destined to have a career in construction.

Why did you start teaching at NewSchool?

My mentor Dr. Linda Thomas Mobley always spoke to me about teaching. I was a teaching assistant when I was attending graduate school and I quickly realized I had a gift with it.

In your opinion, what makes NewSchool special?

It’s a safe place where faculty and students can be themselves while obtaining a great education.

What are the challenges, if any, faced by women in a male-dominated field?

The biggest challenge is not getting a chance to prove yourself in the field. Some females would like to be superintendents and not sales associates!

Throughout your time in the construction industry, what are some ways you feel it has changed?

There is definitely more diversity in the field! There is also more mainstream interest in the craft.

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

I am working on research exploring women in the construction industry. I want to research the experiences of women in the industry and how we can promote and introduce more women in the industry.

What is your favorite part about educating the next generation of construction managers?

My favorite part about educating the next generation is being a part of their journey and seeing how far they go. Many of my students have made me very proud.

If you could provide advice to a young female interested in a career in construction, what would it be?

I would tell young females in the industry to JUST DO IT! Don’t be afraid of what might happen. Our industry is more open to women than ever before and I truly believe this is the time to be a woman in the industry.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career to date?

The most important lesson I learned is to believe in my abilities and knowledge. I earned my spot in the industry and I should not think differently.

What has you most excited about the future?

I am most excited about new technologies that are being introduced. The industry has not changed much in its processes, and I think the new generation is going to provide more innovative ways to accomplish many tasks in the industry.

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