Architecture

Architectural Design

As a kid I grew up around construction sites. Every once in a while I would find a set of blueprints, take them home and examine them. That sparked my interest in drafting and design. I excelled in drafting courses in school. My first summer job was working for an architect in Scottsdale, Arizona when I was 16. The following summer I worked for another architect and met a couple of builder/developers who fed me a lot of drafting work.

I won awards in several design competitions sponsored by the A.I.A. (American Institute of Architects) and W.A.L. (Women's Architectural League), including First Place and Best of Show in 1980. During my senior year in high school I was busy designing hotels, office buildings, custom homes and other projects for several large developers around Scottsdale. I attended two years of architectural design studies at Arizona State University (1980-1982) before totally switching gears and going into motion picture production instead.

On October 5th 1982 I moved into my first apartment, up on a hilltop overlooking the beautiful, charming town of Santa Barbara and the Pacific Ocean. I was in heaven! I started my first class at Brooks Institute of Photography on October 25th 1982. It was the start of many great times and wonderful memories. After graduating from Brooks I moved to L.A. to "get into the biz" which was no easy task as I discovered the hard way. My first job in L.A.?...you got it - drafting!

Professional Experience

1/1991 - 10/1991: Leroy Andrews Architect AIA, Ventura, CA - Senior Draftsman - Responsibilities included drafting blueprints for a large apartment complex remodel and a residential remodel.

9/1990 - 12/1990: Marc Whitman Design, Ventura, CA - Senior Draftsman - Responsibilities included design development and drafting blueprints for a multi-family residential development and a large custom home.

5/1990 - 9/1990: Carl Day & Associates Architects, Santa Monica, CA - Senior Draftsman - Responsibilities included drafting blueprints for several custom homes and supervising draftsmen staff.

5/1989 - 4/1990: Leroy Miller & Associates Architects, Santa Monica, CA - Senior Draftsman - Responsibilities included project management and drafting blueprints for several new and remodeled shopping centers.

6/1986 - 10/1986: Donald DeMars & Associates Architects, Van Nuys, CA - Draftsman - Responsibilities included drafting blueprints for several health clubs.

8/1979 - 8/1982: Design One Architecture, Phoenix, AZ - Draftsman / Illustrator - Worked "freelantz" under the name Design One as a Draftsman / Illustrator for several builders around Scottsdale, AZ. Projects included design development for the Thunderbird Inn at Scottsdale Airpark, numerous custom homes around Scottsdale and Pinnacle Peak, AZ, office buildings, hangers, a handicap care facility and several other projects.

6/1979 - 8/1979: HLH Architecture & Planning, Scottsdale, AZ - Draftsman - Responsibilities included drafting blueprints for a condominium park and an equestrian center near Fountain Hills, AZ.

6/1978 - 8/1978: Atwood Associates Architects, Scottsdale, AZ - Draftsman - Responsibilities included drafting blueprints for two custom homes, a hair salon and a large commercial remodel in Phoenix, AZ