My development as an architect has focused on a conviction that it is important to be involved in the many roles that being a member of a project team can offer. In my experience, those roles have ranged from firm owner, principal-in-charge, project designer, project architect, LEED project administrator, project strategy consultant, to project manager. My project experience includes government, cultural, institutional, educational, retail, multi-family and single-family housing projects - within the United States and internationally.
I have balanced my professional career with an interest in the academic aspects of architecture by being an adjunct professor, visiting juror at various universities, and a lecture series invited speaker at Taliesin West. I am a LEED-accredited member of the Triangle Chapter of the USGBC (United States Green Building Council), a former member of the Durham Appearance Commission, and a registered architect.
"FORMAL" EDUCATION
Master of Architecture - University of Virginia, USA - Aug 1993 – Dec 1995
Bachelor of Science in Architecture - University Of Michigan, USA - Sep 1991 – May 1993
Calvin College, USA - Aug 1989 – May 1991 (Transferred to University of Michigan)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Alabi Architecture & Schema Architecture
Co-Owner & Principal
Durham, NC, USA
Managing architecture firm engaged in institutional, and commercial projects ranging from new construction to renovations in the United States and internationally.
Managing architecture firm engaged in institutional, and commercial projects ranging from new construction to renovations in the United States and internationally.
Involved in all aspects of firm ownership and management including fee negotiations, preparation of consultant and client contracts, programming, design, design presentations, management of scope, schedule and budget, construction documentation, construction administration, LEED project administration and documentation, bidding and negotiation with contractors, acquisition of firm assets, marketing, client relations, reviewing of consultant invoices, reviewing of contractor requests for payment, invoicing to clients, and maintaining firm’s certifications.
Gomes + Staub
Project Manager, Project Architect
Raleigh, NC, USA
Collaborated on marketing, design, and design development - including documentation and coordination with clients and consultants on various projects. Bought-out the firm and transitioned it into a new company.
Collaborated on marketing, design, and design development - including documentation and coordination with clients and consultants on various projects. Bought-out the firm and transitioned it into a new company.
The Freelon Group
Project Manager, Project Architect, Project DesignerResearch Triangle Park, NC, USA
Negotiated project contract for firm, and created and managed project schedule from schematic to construction administration phase. Other tasks included site visits, maintaining client relationships, overseeing contractor selection, and providing project updates to client and firm principals. Consultants coordinated included MEPFP, structural, audio/visual, security, signage/way-finding, civil engineering, landscape, associate architect, tele/data, museum consultant, and lighting. Project was awarded an AIA-North Carolina Honor Award (2007) and AIA-Triangle Design Committee Honor Award in the unbuilt category (2007).
Managed a 50,000 square-foot museum project, including coordinating an in-office project staff, out-of-office consultant team, and conducting biweekly consultant and owner meetings.
Managed a 70,000 square-foot university classroom building in the design phase of the project. Tasks included procuring proposals from various consultants, maintaining client relationships, coordinating in-office and out-of-office consultant teams, presenting to clients, and meeting State Construction Office guidelines and requirements.
Managed design development including documentation and coordination with consultants for $450 million, 920,000 square-foot RDU Terminal C Airport project.
Co-designed (team of four designers) a 140,000 square-foot psychiatric hospital for the state of NorthCarolina. Involved in conceptual design through sketches, drawings and models, to formulate design character for the project.
RTKL Associates
Intern, Project Designer & Project Manager
Dallas, TX, USA
Participated as member of three-person team responsible for schematic design, design development, and construction documentation of Block 588 apartment complex. Selected by firm to provide construction administration during construction phase of project. Project was awarded an AIA-Dallas award.
Provided conceptual design and development through all phases for a variety of retail and housing projects.
Participated in the design and creation of concepts for various competition entries and proposals. Managed office recycling program to minimize office-produced waste.
AWARDS
2010 - Honor Award (built category) - AIA NC - Gantt Center
2007 - Honor Award (unbuilt category) - AIA NC - Gantt Center (while at The Freelon Group)
2007 - Honor Award (unbuilt category) - AIA Triangle - Gantt Center (while at The Freelon Group)
1998 - Best Unbuilt Project - AIA Dallas - Block 588 Project (while at RTKL)
1996 - First Place - AIA Dallas - Dallas Park Pavilion Competition (with Carole Twitmyer)
POSITIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
Registered Architect - North Carolina
Member - American Institute of Architects (AIA)
Member - National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) registered - LEED AP BD+C
Member - Triangle Chapter - USGBC (United States Green Building Council)
Member - Durham City-County Appearance Commission
Adjunct Professor - North Carolina State University, College of Design - Fall Semester 2004 (Taught a 6-credit design studio to 14 third and fourth year architecture students)
Visiting Juror - Tulane University, University of Virginia, University of Texas at Arlington, North Carolina State University
Member - Urban Design Committee - American Institute of Architects, Dallas Chapter
Mentor & Supervisor - IDP (Intern Development Program)
PUBLICATIONS & EXHIBITS
Guest Lecturer: Taliesin West Spring Lecture Series - 2012
D-Homes Magazine: Article featuring condominium unit renovation designed by Studio_Alabi - July, 2003
Dallas Park Pavilion Competition exhibit: Traveling exhibit - 1997
Annual architecture student show: School of Architecture, University of Michigan - 1993
RECENT PROJECT EXPERIENCE:
Mississippi Civil Rights Museum - Jackson, MS - Project Manager
Mississippi Civil Rights Museum - Jackson, MS - Project Manager
Ebonyi State Government Development - Abuja, Nigeria - Project Designer & Principal
Knightdale Farmers Market - Knightdale, NC - Project Designer
RDU Terminal 1 Renovation - Morrisville, NC - Project Architect & Principal
Asian Fashion Runway - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Project Designer & Principal
Minna Development - Minna, Nigeria - Project Designer & Principal
Knightdale Town Park - Knightdale, NC - Project Designer & Architect, Principal
North Carolina Zoo African Plains Barns - Asheboro, NC - Project Architect & Principal
Cliffs of the Neuse State Park & Visitor Center - Seven Springs, NC - Project Architect & Principal
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture - Charlotte, NC - Project Manager - The Freelon Group
NC A&T State University General Academic Classroom - Greensboro, NC - Project Manager - The Freelon Group
RDU Airport Terminal 2 - Durham, NC - Architect - The Freelon Group
Amistad Research Center - New Orleans, LA - Designer - The Freelon Group
Central Regional Hospital, NC Department Of Health And Human Services - Butner, NC- Designer - The Freelon Group