STORY

I always had a very close relationship with the design process.  From a young age, I’ve understood I understood how design is present at every turn in an idea’s journey to concretization/manifestation. I came to understand the profound role and significance of design & conceptualization as the very foundation of creation.

Over the years I’ve nurtured an aptitude for making, fabricating, repairing, reassembling, and breathing new life into the old and forgotten.

And so, for as long as memory serves I’ve been honing the art of dissecting projects into every design stage separating concept from completion. Being a quick study with a knack for learning by doing, this habit wove itself into the very fabric of all my interests during my early formative years. A passion for music blossomed into an exciting expo showcase of my own craft as an amateur luthier. A summer of sailing lessons led into exhilarating adventures as a sailboat owner and excursion guide. A short student exchange to Germany evolved into a crash course for European construction methods and architectural influences.

The real challenge arose at the time of choosing a academic route that truly resonated with my passions: I was an unwavering fan of design, drawn not only to the elegant fusing of beauty and function, but also to the manufacturing and craftsmanship processes propelling it.

Seeking a swift entry into the workforce, I opted for a program in trades that would dive into the realms of design, construction, and building development, while also exploring the artistic & creative aspects of architecture. 

Two years later, another fork in the road, and a pivotal moment guided by an enduring yearning to forge a unique path: With an applied degree in one hand, I returned to school to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering, driven by the need to witness design through the lens of manufacturing and product development.

In the years that followed, I attended every single industry event that I could, often deferring exams, just so I could further uncover all possible avenues a future with design could lead me. These sectors included automotive, aerospace, agriculture, accessibility & assistive technology, automation, biotechnology, construction, green building, marine, nanotechnology, nuclear energy, oil & gas, photonics, and SaaS. 

It was during these times that I also seized the opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary researches & engineering competitions. I took on the challenge of leading BIM initiatives for a net-zero tiny-home project (northernnomad.ca), while also stepping into a leadership role in manufacturing and training with a top 10 world-ranking SAE race car team (ravensracing.ca).

As I donned my cap and gown, and by now with a sheepskin in each hand, an early career opportunity welcomed me into the rapidly-evolving world of virtual design for engineered building systems. However, while able to apply and refine my learned skills in construction & and specialized building development with promising avenues for growth, the government-imposed lockdowns of the early 2020s prompted a profound reflection on various facets of my life, casting a shadow over my professional future. With some consideration to my commitment to design and the recent purchase of a charming small beach house in Florida, I set out to remodel my new sanctuary and capitalize on this transformative period to reflect.

It was then that a remarkable opportunity arose to join a well-established & prestigious architectural firm, a beacon of excellence in its field. And suddenly, the inert clench of the subzero temperatures I would design to shut out became the eroding embrace of the salty ocean mist; the soils I would exile behind sturdy basement walls would now be protected behind steadfast seawalls; the static load considerations from heavy snow pushing down turned to dynamic forces from powerful winds pulling up. 

As things took a turn and these waves of perpetual change settled, I now see myself having time to write again. Thus, I decided to blow the dust of this page I had created in my early college years, and breathe some life back into it with some topics that captivate me today, as well as wisdom I wished I had encountered back when I was seeking inspiration and guidance in conceptualizing a future by design.

I hope you enjoy.