Projects

unitarian_1University Unitarian
Church Seattle

Master Plan Consultation (ongoing): UUC is located in the Ravenna-Bryant neighborhood of Seattle and serves a community of approximately 900 members and over 1000 visitors and friends. The church was designed by celebrated Seattle architect Paul Hayden Kirk in 1959. Today it is an important city landmark.

I am currently advising the church Physical Space Implementation Team with their planned building expansion. The work includes:unitarian_2

  • Capturing and documenting the essence and history of the current building and its architectural gems.
  • Development of a list of candidate architects for the planned building project as well as a request for qualifications (RFQ) document.
  • Evaluation of architect bids and assistance in the selection of an architectural firm.
  • Review and evaluation of the architect’s work as the master plan is developed.

Link: www.uuchurch.org

 

somalia_2Somali Community Services of Seattle

A change of occupancy project:   SCSS is a community based service organization whose mission is to help refugees from Horn of Africa nations undergo a successful transition to life in this country. It provides support services to community members in need through family and youth education, after school tutoring, parent education, housing assistance, job search skills courses, a seniors program, and technology training.

The SCSS recently moved into a new tenant space with an occupancy classification of “storage”. In order to legally occupy the space the classification had to be changed to one that allows human habitation. This has been managed through the city building department permit process.

Technology matching grant funding: SCSS has a computer lab to teach members how to use software, do email and access the internet. The lab also serves as an after school tutoring center for youth. I recently helped SCSS write and submit a grant application for new computers through the City of Seattle Technology Matching Fund. The $10,000 grant was accepted and SCSS is in the process of acquiring the equipment and setting it up in the lab.

Link: www.somcss.net

 

Cambodian Buddhist Monks Association of Washington | Kent

Garden storage building and ongoing projects: The CBMA of Washington is a Khmer Buddhist Monastery organization which has facilities located in Kent. The first phase of the project is the design of a large (about 20 feet x 70 feet) building for the storage of garden equipment. The second phase of the project will involve the remodel of the monks’ existing living quarters.

 

Homesight Housing | Seattle

Low income housing in Seattle: The mission of Homesight, a Seattle based non-profit community organization is to “build strong, vibrant communities through homeownership, economic development, and neighborhood revitalization.” For more than 20 years Homesight has worked with families to create more than 1,700 home owners. As an employee at Geise Architects in Seattle I helped design a nine unit complex of low income homes and townhomes sponsored by Homesight in the Judkins Park neighborhood of Seattle. While the design budget was modest, the project did not compromise the need to create habitation with dignity and care.

Link: www.homesightwa.org

 

peacecorpUnited States Peace Corps Volunteer | Tunisia, North Africa

Beekeeper: Tunisia is the northernmost country on the African continent and it borders the Mediterranean Sea. I spent two volunteer years in-country as a beekeeper extension agent with the Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture. While there I taught beekeeping skills to village farmers. I also developed and implemented a U.S. Aid for International Development (USAID) grant to fund beekeeping education at a local youth club. All work was communicated in Arabic.

Links: www.peacecorps.gov  |  www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunisia