CDG Architecture Has Arrived

COMING HOME TO NEW BEGINNINGS . . .

I’ve been an architect my entire life. As a girl I rode horses and loved designing and decorating the stables as much as riding. At sleepovers I would often “sell” the parents on ways they should improve their homes; and many followed my advice. 

As a born architect (in fact, when I was a baby my parents brought me to the Marin Building Department to pick up my first permit), architecture is my passion, my natural state and I design intuitively. Perhaps it was growing up on a construction site, but space speaks to me, people speak to me and I am meant to bring people together in spaces, creating the best environments possible. I dream in architecture and see beyond the obvious to harness space, intuitive spirit of place and people, culminating in unique visions expressed through architecture and design. 

I have an unparalleled career path for an architect that provided many skills and experiences, however architecture has remained a constant. My career endeavors all have the common thread of combining natural talents, passion for creating beautiful spaces and love for empowering people in realizing their dreams

I began studying architecture in high school and I already knew it was my path. I was honored to be accepted into one of the most prestigious architecture schools in the  country — California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo — where I received my Bachelors of Architecture. I also had the honor of studying at Ecole D’ Architecture Paris Val de Seine for a year abroad.

Throughout university I interned with architecture legend Steve Wisenbaker, AIA, where I aided the team in designing stunning custom homes in the San Francisco Bay Area. As the one and only “Intern,” I enjoyed a broad and influential entrance into the field, from model making, actual blueprint running to hand delivering plans to high profile clients.  

My role at Tardy & Associates Architects post graduation was a CAD bootcamp and provided great experience in every part of the residential architectural process alongside Jill (“of all trades”) Tardy. 

I soon felt a pull to broaden my architectural experience beyond residential and moved into the hospitality and resort industry where I designed luxury homes at large-scale resorts like Vail Resorts, Heavenly, NorthStar, Grey’s Crossing, Grizzly Ranch and Bear Valley Ski Resort with Resort Design International. The highlight of this adventure was working directly with renowned architect Gordon Pierce. Gordon designed much of Vail, Colorado from the ground up over his vast career. Another career highlight was working with fellow alpine architecture visionaries Henrik Bull and John Ashworth at Bull Stockwell Allen, which also provided incredible experience and introduction into Modern Ski Aesthetic. 

In 2009 I became a California Licensed Architect the day before my wedding and celebrated marrying the love of life as a fully fledged licensed architect.

After five years in this exciting role traveling and designing premier resorts, I found myself again longing for more intentional and innovative work. I secured a position at a green building start-up in San Francisco, Project Frog, a leader in sustainable, high energy performance, state-of-the-art prefabricated buildings. At Project Frog I was on the design team for numerous projects; Watkinson School, the first net zero school in the US, two of Kaiser Permanente’s greenest facilities to date and the Golden Gate Bridge Visitor center which was unveiled for the 75th Anniversary, where I reimagined an ill-functioning parking lot into a vibrant visitor center. At Project Frog I became immersed in cutting-edge building and sustainability technologies and worked on a vast number of innovative projects. 

Link to Project Frog Golden Gate Bridge Visitor Center

courtesy Project Frog

With a strong background in architecture, sustainable design and innovative energy performance, my path led me to the world of building technology at Lucid selling award winning BuildingOS.  At Lucid, as an Enterprise Account Executive for an elite group of Fortune 500 companies, I sold, implemented and managed multiple global sustainability programs.

Launching Synopsys’s Global Energy Management Platform on Earth Day

Highlights include enabling LinkedIn’s Global Energy Management System (EMIS) and net zero building, Google’s (EMIS) as part of the building technology program, Sony’s impressive sustainability and green studio production program, and McKesson’s global sustainability and energy management system. My personal client list goes on with Disney, Juniper Networks, Synopsys, Servicenow, Qurate, Amy’s and Vail Resorts. A personal highlight was working on the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Family foundation building Alma Station, which brings together best in class innovation and sustainability that is targeting net zero. 

While being a top sales person at Lucid, I was also learning how to juggle life with two small boys, Jack and Hank, who are definitely my most challenging bosses to date. While at Lucid BuildingOS the company was acquired by Acuity Brands (AYI), a leading building technology and lighting company.

Greenbuild Boston 2017

In 2020 when the global pandemic hit and everyone’s lives changed dramatically, I realized it was  time to refocus on my steadfast passion of architecture. Never before has coming home been so important and it was time for me to come home to myself, my family and my career in architecture. 

With deep dives into the world of luxury homes, sustainable design and cutting-edge building technology (and let’s not forget stable design as a kid!), I bring varied expertise into my own firm, CDG Architecture. It is immensely rewarding to help my clients see what is possible for their future space and be their supportive and skilled guide through the entire design and build process.

At home in Kent Woodlands, California with Hank (4) and Jack (7)

In 2021 I am looking forward to my personal passion project and breaking ground on my own home in Kent Woodlands, California. I invite you to follow along on my journey and look forward to supporting you in yours. 

I am thrilled to officially launch CDG Architecture on January, 21, 2021 please check out my work on my website and follow me @architectcdg on instagram. 

Onward,