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 to study at San Diego’s NewSchool of Architecture & Design?

I chose to study architecture at NewSchool for the unique curriculum and urban setting. When I enrolled, 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 worked on?

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 landed 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.

Professionally I am overseeing the construction of the whole site modernization of the Lindbergh/Schweitzer Elementary School (now Clairemont Canyons Academy) in Clairemont, 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 New York, New Jersey, 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