Hometown: San Diego, California

Why did you choose to study architecture?

I love architecture and have dreamed of being an architect.

What makes earning a degree at NewSchool special?

The project typologies, guest lecturers and critics, and the sense of independence imposed on the students.

What was your favorite thing about attending NewSchool?

The community I gained.

What have you been doing since you graduated?

Building my design firm! And studying for and passing all 6 AREs. Now just studying to pass the CSE to be officially a licensed architect. I’ve also recently started a blog and podcast.

What projects are you currently working on?

Residential. My project won the AIA ADU award in 2019 and I was just awarded an incredible project in Northern California to design a small residence on 17.5 acres.

What has been your biggest career accomplishment?
Probably winning the AIA Award last year and seeing the new projects that are coming my way.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

Have fun! Get creative with your school projects and document everything. Set up a free website and start posting all your work. It’s a free portfolio that you can easily share with prospective employers or clients.

Why should a prospective student choose NewSchool?

It has a small community vibe and the school has a great reputation within the design industry.

Bryn’s Favorite Professional Project

• Wing House

This modern, sustainable companion unit (aka “accessory dwelling unit” or “guest house”) is designed into the backyard of a primary dwelling unit. The unit contains a great room, 1 bed, 1 bath, and a private deck. The unit is owned by a pair of artists who wanted to create an art space that could be an extension of their existing residence and that could also be closed off as a guest house if needed. The architecture needed to reflect the same creativity as the clients, be sustainable, and maintain a sense of privacy yet connectivity.

The project included aligning specific building elements including walls, windows, and doors from the existing to the proposed. By doing so, when the existing deck door and the new ADU deck door are open, the two spaces become one. The existing deck flows between both interiors, creating the sense of an indoor/outdoor singular room. This connection between the two buildings allowed us to expand the space, while still maintaining small building footprints.

Sustainability features include passive solar heating and cooling as well as solar and rain harvesting. The butterfly roof allows the site-line from the existing residence to remain low and provides an optimal shape for rainwater harvesting. Water funnels down the two pitches to a central cricket, which is diverted to a rain barrel and landscaping. The low-sloped cool roof is also designed for solar panels.

Clerestory windows on the North and South walls allow natural daylighting to filter through. Little to no East and West fenestration, as well as deep overhangs, prevent the space from overheating in the summer. The result is a compact space that is comfortable, light, and integrated within the existing site.

Hometown: Bakersfield, California

Why did you choose to study interior architecture & design?

My dream job since I was in the 4th grade was to be an Architect. Over the years, I gravitated more toward the interior side of architecture. I didn’t want to just create a beautiful building but I wanted to create the space that users lived and worked in. I wanted to create an experience.

What makes earning a degree at NewSchool special?

NewSchool is unlike any other large university because it is a smaller school and creates more of a personal and intimate learning experience.

What was your favorite thing about attending NewSchool?

The community of people I was surrounded by, everyone seemed like a familiar face and if you ever needed someone’s help or just another set of eyes to look at your project everyone was always willing to help out.

How did NewSchool help prepare you for your career?

The projects and programs we were taught were all on-trend and relevant to what was happening in our field. We were able to work alongside other architects and designers in the field and experience what the “real world” process was when designing.

What have you been doing since you graduated?

Since graduation, I have been employed at SMS Architects as a Designer. I have also been studying to take my NCIDQ exams.

What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

I think my biggest accomplishment has been the growth and knowledge I have experienced in such a short time working.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

Have fun and don’t stress too much! This your time to be creative and just enjoy designing.

Why should a prospective student choose NewSchool?

NewSchool has a great reputation in the design industry. Also, with it being a smaller campus you have more one-on-one time with professors and are able to get more feedback on projects which helps you learn more than in a large group setting.

Founders, Tecture Design+Fabrication

After graduating from the Master of Architecture program at NewSchool in 2011, David Michael, Kyle Preish, and Slade Fischer founded their own design firm, Tecture. Their work quickly began making a statement all over San Diego, from design/build projects such as the Patio on Goldfinch and the newly opened Kettner Exchange to an installation in the San Diego International Airport.

They have expanded their business from a small two car garage in North Park to an office/fab shop with multiple employees and have brought into the fold several new members including several NewSchool alumni.

With a dedication to elevating San Diego’s design community, they have been creating unique, technology-driven, and customized works that include structures, products, images, environments, and events. From 20’ living walls and custom lighting installations to child development spaces, Tecture is bringing new life into San Diego’s urban fabric.

Two of the Tecture’s recent restaurant designs, Patio on Goldfinch and Kettner Exchange, were the winners of the 2015 Orchid design award by the San Diego Architectural Foundation.

Urban Designer – CEO & Founder, NPB Design Studio

What was your favorite aspect of attending NewSchool?

My favorite aspect was the relationship that was built between me and my professors – how they were great and humble. They believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself.

What projects are you currently working on?

Chollas Creek – designing a natural look and adding a bike trail.

What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

My biggest career accomplishment is my thesis: The Green Network: Park-to-Bay Project. It’s a study that I believe will be implemented soon. The thesis has won the SDAPA Academic Award 2018. I have also successfully presented the project to three Community Planning Groups: Barrio Logan, Southeastern San Diego, and Golden Hill. In addition, I have presented to the Mayor’s office and the Port of San Diego. I will keep presenting it until we do it.

Hometown: Fort Valley, Georgia

Why did you choose to study architecture?

To receive a professional degree in architecture for NCARB certification.

What makes earning a degree at NewSchool special?

The friendships and relationships that you establish are immeasurable.

What was your favorite thing about attending NewSchool?

The introduction to San Diego and the interaction with the professors.

How did NewSchool help prepare you for your career?

My career was established when I came to NewSchool, but it certainly enhanced the skill set, that I had previously acquired.

What have you been doing since you graduated?

I serve on the NewSchool Alumni Advisory Board. I serve on the AIA San Diego Board of Directors as the Membership Commissioner. I serve as Co-Chair of the City of La Mesa – Design Review Board. I will serve as the inaugural President of SDNOMA. I now work in a project manager role with the Judicial Council of California.

What projects are you currently working on?

Pinch District Pedestrian Bridge project in Memphis, Tennessee.

What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

Becoming licensed as an architect initially in Tennessee in 2012 and becoming licensed as an architect in California in 2019.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

Find your passion and pursue it without compromise!

Why should a prospective student choose NewSchool?

NewSchool is an institution that pushes students to dig deep within to discover their true passion and to develop their unique abilities.

Michael’s Favorite Professional Project
Pinch District Pedestrian Bridge

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