Navigation
The Architecture Department is pleased to recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of our alumni that span over an impressive fifty-six years. We trust that you will have as many memories and discoveries reading as we did compiling the news. We are proud of your achievements and hope that you will stay in touch with your Alma Matter by contacting Henri T. de Hahn or through the Alumni News Submittal Form provided as a way to share your news.
Graduation: Photos & Thesis Topics
Starting with the 2006-2007 academic year, the architecture department has produced a thesis topic publication listing that year's thesis topices. The following table provides access to these publications and the respective class photo.
| Year | Photo | Thesis Topics
Publication at Digital Commons |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 2009 Photo | |
| 2008 | 2008 Photo | "Unleashed" |
| 2007 | 2007 Photo | "Small Servings" |
Alumni News: July 2009 - June 2010
2009
Zhong Ren Huang is currently working as and intern architect at Steven Ehrlich Architects in Culver City, CA.
Jai Kumaran has a web page on his work up and running. Jai Kumaran
Thomas Burnworth started his own company in Indiana offering architectural illustrations, renderings, design, marketing, graphic design, and documentation work. Through this business I have been working with a local architect and a couple other businesses.
Mickela Gonzales, is working as an architectural intern for the US Army Corps fo Engineers. I started with the Army Corps of Engineers at the Sacramento District office the first week of July. I'm the first architect [intern] they've hired in 21 years (the last was also a CP grad). Of the 6 architects in the Design Section, 4 of us are CP grads, and our design jurisdiction covers 8 of the western states.
Kristina Nisbet is working as a Technical Designer with LPA, Inc, in Irvine, CA, on a project team with Dave Gilmore -working on Education Specs for a high shool district in San Diego.
Paul Cattaneo as returned to Berlin, Germany and is working with The design cooperative NAU
David Pearson and Mikaela Spielman got married over the summer. They are living in downtown San Diego and Mikeala will be working at RNT (principal Ralph Roesliing) as of October 2009
Matthew Covall is working as an Assistant Project Manager with Square Peg Design in Oakland, CA.
Hiro Abe will be attending the AA in London in the Fall of 2009.
Katsu Shigemi and Danny Thai will be attending Yale University in the Fall of 2009.
Ryan Starr is interning with Craig R. Smith, Architect and Associates (CRSA) in San Luis Obispo. CA.
Bonnie Miller, LEED AP is interniing with OMNI Design Group located in San Luis Obispo, CA.
Kevin Bussett is interning with Prof. Ralph Roesling's firm RNT Architects in San Diego, CA.
Rachel Glabe will be attending Princeton University School of Architecture.
Katsu Shigemi and Danny Thai will be attending the architecture master program at Yale University.
Zhong Ren Huang (Prof. Stephen Phillips thesis studio) received an AIA CCC Student Design Award (Honor Award for his project Spider Tower) at the 2009 Design Awards Gala Banquet.
Nate Mendelsohn will be working as of August 2009 in Hawaii on some construction projects and is interested in contributing to the environement in a sustainable manner.
Yang Wang (Prof. Stephen Phillips thesis studio) received an AIA CCC Student Design Award (Merit Award for his project L.A. Landscraper) at the 2009 Design Awards Gala Banquet.
Kevin Bussett, Jason Pignolet and Tracy N. Wang were runners up to the Award as part ot the 5th year student thesis projects for consideration.
Cody Williams, Katsuya Arai and David Stamatis are interning for Tom Wiscombe at Emergent.
2008
Lauren Fries and Alley Piehn are attending the master program at The Barlett School in London, UK.
Joseph Leyman is working with GM+A in Orange County and continues to work on his 3 part cardboard chair series (close to completion). To view prototype.
Catheline Wright is currently working at BFGC Architects and Planners Inc., and became LEED certified in June 2009.
2006
Tristan Frolich has been living and working in Colorado and has continued his work on behalf of the natural environment. He recently entered the Frito-Lay/National Geographic sponsored sustainable projects national competition called "The Green Effect." The competition asked for ideas for sustainable/environmental projects that can be implemented in local areas, (a very similar kind of project as we have students devise every year in Edes 408 "Implementing Sustainable Principles").
Tristan proposed a program of tree planting to fight the bark beetle infestation and is one of the four winners of the competition.
For additional information, visit the following two web site links: http://greeneffect.nationalgeographic.com/ (click on Re-tree Colorado to view Tristan's video) and http://greeneffect.nationalgeographic.com/idea/2498/ (to see the full submittal)
2005
Lindsey Engels is a project coordinator with LPA, Inc. in Irvine, CA.
1994
Michael Engel is working fro Healthcare Design & Construction Specialists on the retrofit projecys at Frend, AG and the Marian hospitals in San Luis Obispo.
Paul T. Olson is principle of Paul Oson Architect in Fallbrook, CA.
1993
Caroline (Veerman) Loisos is since 2007 a member of the State Board of the American Institute of Building Design (AIBD) and is planning to host this year's State Conference at her alma mater in San Luis Obispo.
1992
Michael Hunsinger, AIA, is president of MAH Architecture Group in Denver, CO.
MAH Architectural Group Was Created To Provide The Best Personal Service And Quality Architectural Design That Our Clients Expect.
The Types Of Projects Over The Years At MAH Architectural Group Have Been Varied, From Small Residential To Medium Scaled Office Buildings. Residential Projects Include Kitchen Remodels To Custom Multi-Million Dollar Homes. Commercial Projects Range From Restaurants And Bowling Allies To Unique Office Buildings And Retail Buildings. We Have Had The Pleasure To Work On Projects Where It Is Our Clients Dream To Create Either A New Home Or New Business Environment That Reflect Their Goals And Ambitions.
I Feel That Our Best Attribute To Our Clients Is Attention. Attention To Detail In Our Drawings As Well As Attention With Our Clients. We Are Very Aware That Financial Efficiencies Are Important To Our Clients And By Maintaining A Close Relationship With Them We Ensure Consistency Within The Project As Well As With The Bottom Line.
As MAH Architectural Group Finds It’s Way Through The Architectural Profession We Hope That Our Clients Find Their Way With Our Ability To Create And Define Their Goals. At The End Of The Day I Want To Have Provided The Best Personal And Professional Service That We Are Capable Of.
1990
Devin F. Donner is principal of Rudin Doner Design, Inc., in West Hollywood, CA.
Byron K. Wong works with DES ARchitects + Enginers in Redwood City, CA.
1989
David Diamond, AIA, (B.Arch 88, Ms.Arch 89), has been promoted to the position of Associate Director at the San Francisco office of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP. A technical architect with SOM for nearly 15 years, David specializes in program-rich civic buildings such as embassies, courthouses and airports. From his experience resolving complex technical requirements—in particular, security requirements—David has developed expertise in the integration of building systems and architecture. Most recently he has served as the lead technical architect for the recently-completed United States Embassy in Beijing, the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland, California, and the United States Consulate in Guangzhou, China.
Tom di Santo, and and Laura Joines-Novotny of M:OME were presented with the 2009 AIA.C3 Award of Merit for the Bikini Residence and S1 prefab guesthouse project located in Atascadero (un-built category).
It is their fourth and fifth building design projects to receive an AIA award in the past five years. The design team for the Bikini Residence includes Whitney Moon and TJ Esser. The design team for the S1 prefab includes TJ Esser and Laing Chung.
The Bikini Residence was conceived and designed to create a symbiosis with the difficult topography and relatively extreme climate of the site in Atascadero. Special emphasis was given to develop spaces that react to the weather, creating refuge for the inhabitants. For example, there is a morning living room that faces the view and welcomes the morning sun, yet this living space would also be a delightful respite from the harsh summer heat as it is devoid of south and west glazing, is nested into the hillside, and opens (via a overhead sectional garage door) directly onto a two foot deep pool that connects to the lap pool. This connectivity provides passive evaporative cooling for this downstairs living room. The opening to the second floor, as well as the operable skylight cones, act as stacked ventilators. in the cold winter months, the upstairs living room captures good winter head gain and plenty of thermal mass to keep the occupants warm. There are also photovoltaics to power the house, and small windows open onto the windward side of the house, pulling the breezes through the large openings via the venturi effect. Again, the pool also acts as a passive cooling component as well.
A special emphasis was also placed on creating a phenomenological or experiential architecture. The pool house with its black concrete steam room and Scandinavian sauna may only be accessed by swimming through an opening in the pool (Refer to the pool house section). The pool house is also graced by a James Turrell-esque skylight bringing in dappled light to the space. There are outdoor fireplaces, bridges over the pool, a hot tub that looks out over the expansive view of Eagle Peak, and a fire-pit at the guest unit deck. The outdoor shower located off of the master bathroom has an amazing 180 degree morning view, and the adjacent bath tub enjoys the same orientation. In fact, the building section shows that the raised plinth for the toilet gives the clients the same horizontal view whether sitting there, standing at the infinite sink with foot pedals for hot + cold, or relaxing in the soaking tub.
Another example of this emphasis on experience can be found in the master bedroom. The master bed is covered with a modern box drama scrim insect screen, and the bed is on a track. One can open the rear overhead sectional garage door and take the bed outside to enjoy the hot summer nights of Atascadero without the mosquito worries.
The guest house is the S1 prefab unit made of pre-cast concrete based on culvert construction technology. Steel columns and beams and cedar wood screens finish the east elevation. The prefab unit will be craned onto a simple spread footing with the super roof structure added on site. It is also oriented to maximize views, and the entire front facade slides open to blur the distinction between inside and out. The wood screens lift up to create an outdoor space with a trellis above, but in the closed position, the screens provide privacy and solar shading. The screens can be adjusted to any angle between 0 and 90 degrees, depending on shading desired.
1987
Dennis Roy is principal of RGA, Office of Architectural Design in Irvine, CA.
1986
Ali Bemanian is principal of Bemanian Limited Partnership in San Marcos, CA.
1984
Jeff Katz in principal of Jeff Katz Architecture in San Diego, CA.
1983
Jonathan Linton, is an assoiate architect with Studio E Architects in San Diego. CA. Jonathan is completing the Housing & Dining Administration Building at UCSD, and teaches Urban Design Theory at Woodbury University, San Diego. He is also working on his father's 1956 Lloyd Ruocco house in the same city.
1982
Timothy B. Virus, AIA is a Senior Architect at TAIT & Associates, Inc., located in Santa Ana, CA.
1981
Kimberly Ackert, AIA, has published several books on sustainable design.
Brian Starr, works with Studio Design Group Architects, Inc., (SDG) in San Luis Obispo and will serve as a jury member of the 2009 Vellum Competition.
Jeff Larsen is a principal at McLarsen, Vasquez, Emsiek + Partners in Irvine, CA.
1980
Robert R. Gayle is Associate Vice-Chancellor of Capitol Projects at the Berkeley University. CA.
Wally Gordon, AIA has been selected by the College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED) as its 2009 Honored Alumnus. Wally has distinguished himself as a leader in the field of architecture, and his peers respect his professional accomplishements.
Ken McKently is President of McKently Malak Architects in Pasadena, Ca.
Doug Leach is Owner and Architect of Douglas J. Leach, Architects, Inc., in Redondo Beach, CA.
Wendy Ornelas, FAIA, is the newly elected 2010 president of the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). Ornelas spoke with AIArchitectabout the process, adoption, and implementation of the new (2009) NAAB Conditions for Accreditation; mentorship and encouraging youngsters to pursue architecture as a career; and the importance of faculty to have an active architecture practice.
Click to view full story featured in the AIArchitect issue November 6, 2009, Volume 16 Wendy Ornelas.
1978
Michael Silva is president of Form Architectural, Inc, located in Encino, CA. Michael's firm is celebrating this year its 25th birthday.
1976
Juan M. Gonzalez is principal of Gonzalez Architects in Fresno, CA.
Brian M. Scanlon works at Jacobs in Arlington, VA.
Craig R. Smith, AIA, principal of CRSA in San Luis Obispo had one of his projects featured in The Tribune of San Luis Obispo on August 4, 2009. To view the article, visit Craig Smith (.pdf)
1972
J. Gary Stegemann is principal of his own firm. Gary and his wife Marianne visited Cal Poly in September 2009
1970
James M. Macari is the owner of James Mayo Macari Architects, in San Barbara, CA.
1967
Bruce Campbell is director of CAMI Systems located in La Crescenta, CA.
In Memoriam
The Architecture Department is sad to announcethat the following graduates have passed away during this past year.
Gary Day passed away on Sunday, September 6, 2009. Click to view Obituary on the Buffalo News. Click to view comments offered by Lynda Scheekloth at the Memorial Ceremony.
Fred W. Becker III AIA, (B.Arch 1971) died on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at age 62. Click to view Obituary on The Sacramento Bee
Danny Rivera died Monday, August 3rd, 2009 due to a car accident on the 405 in Orange County. Danny attended the Architecture Department between 2000 and 2002. He also went by the name Rio. He was 27 years old and will be sadly missed.
Homer T. Delawie, FAIA, (B.S 1951) 1927 - 2009 San Diego’s legendary modernist architect, died at San Diego Hospice on June 2, 2009. He was 81 years old. The cause of death was complications of Parkinson’s Disease.
Mr. Delawie is renowned for his numerous projects in San Diego, for which he earned nearly l00 design awards (AIA & AIA affiliates) from 1961 to his retirement in 1997. His projects include the Plaza de Balboa, Balboa Park (now renamed the Bea Evenson Fountain), the Penguin and Shark exhibits at Sea World, the MTDB Trolley Building & Clock Tower downtown, the M. Larry Lawrence Jewish Community Center and expansion, the Scripps Miramar Ranch High School, the School of Creative & Performing Arts in South Bay, the San Diego Hospice, and projects for UCSD, the San Diego Zoo, S.D. State University, Qualcomm and numerous other public, commercial and residential projects throughout San Diego.
A leader in modernist architecture, Mr. Delawie earned his first design award for the first 17’ wide Mission Hills house, built on a 25-ft. lot in 1958.
Throughout his career, Mr. Delawie contributed countless hours to civic planning and development issues. He served as chapter president of the AIA, and on a number of state and national committees and design juries. In l997, the AIA California Council presented Delawie with a lifetime contribution award, and in 2002, he received a similar award from Save Our Heritage Organization, San Diego. He remained a force in planning and historic preservation; his Postwar Modern houses, uniquely featuring maximum expanses of glass walls and sliding-glass doors framed in cedar, embrace atrium gardens and private decks. Some of his most dramatic hillside houses appear to float over lush canyons.
Many of his projects have been widely publicized.
Mr. Delawie was born in Santa Barbara. California. He served in the U. S. Navy at the end of World War II, after which he worked for the U. S. Forest Service in Los Padres National Forest without quite envisioning his next step. Under the G. I. Bill, he took a series of tests with the Veterans Administration, the results of which suggested that he study architecture, and recommended the fledgling New School of Architecture at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. Mr. Delawie graduated there in 1951, He later became the school’s first licensed architect, subsequently its first National Design Award winner, and its first to be elected to the AIA’s National College of Fellows.
In San Diego in 1958, he formed a partnership with pioneer modernist Lloyd Ruocco FAIA; then opened his own office in 1961. Today the firm is known as Delawie, Wilkes, Rodrigues, Barker.
Mr. Delawie is survived by his wife, Ettie; six children, Gregory Delawie of Alexandria,Va., Claire Sosna of San Diego, Shandell Sosna of Marin County, Tracy Delawie of Olympia, Wash., Scott Delawie of San Diego and Stephanie Sosna of Bozeman, Montana; three grandchildren, Torrence Delawie, Frederick Delawie and Dane Sosna.
A memorial celebration for Mr. Delawie will be held at the Bea Evenson Fountain (between the Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater and the S. D. Natural History Museum) on Monday, July 20 at 5 p.m.
The Delawie Family requests donations in his honor to be sent to The Parkinsons Foundation; San Diego Hospice & Palliative Care Institute, or California Polytechnic University, School of Architecture, San Luis Obispo, Calif. 93401.
Mackey Deasy AIA (B.Arch ’73)
A member of the CAED Dean’s Advisory Council, Mackey passed away suddenly on a recent business trip on May 11, 2009. Mackey taught for a while at Cal Poly and elsewhere after graduation. He was a prolific architect, working on projects locally and abroad. What really distinguished him, though, was his zest for life in all things and his alwayspresent smile. He was passionate about architecture, his family, good wine, photography and Cal Poly. The council and the college lost a true gentlemen and advocate.
His family and friends are honoring Macky with a memorial service that will be held on May 21, 2009 at 4pm at the Virginia Country Club in Long Beach, CA. Please join us in honoring and celebrating the splendid life of Mackey Deasy, loving and dedicated father, husband, and brother, loyal friend, mentor, teacher, architect, photographer, and brilliant, kind soul who will be deeply missed.
Either flowers or a memorial gift to a scholarship in Mackey's name would be deeply appreciated. Memorial gifts should be mailed to the attention of CAED Advancement, 1 Grand Ave., Bldg. 5, Room 210, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407. Should you have additional questions, please feel free to contact our office by reply email or at 805-756-5138. (Important. Please make checks payable to the "Cal Poly Foundation" and write "Mackey Deasy Memorial Gift" in the notation area of the check.)
Michael Loren Newberry Shannon (M.S 1988)
Michael Loren Newberry Shannon, 66, of San Luis Obispo passed away following a long illness Sunday, March 1, 2009, at Mission View Heath Center in San Luis Obispo. He was born in Miami, Fla., in May 1942 to Merrill and Marie Shannon.
Michael graduated from Southwest Baptist College in 1964 and then attended Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo., while he served as pastor of Verona Baptist Church in Verona, Mo.
In addition to being a church pastor in Missouri, Michael served as a music minister in Baltimore, Md. He attended Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., Philadelphia College of Textiles and Design in Philadelphia, Pa., and then earned his B.S. in design in 1993 and M.S. in architecture in 1997 from Cal Poly.
In 1971, Michael moved to Baltimore to work at John Hopkins Hospital in the ophthalmology department and directed research trials with the new soft contact lens by Bausch and Lomb.Then he worked in the optical department at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia and later moved into pharmaceutical sales of eye care products and contact lenses.
In 1980, he opened an antique shop in downtown Philadelphia and started a catering business as a sideline. In 1990, he moved to California to attend Cal Poly. Following graduation, he taught some and wrote for several publications on the subject matter of accessible designs in architecture, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991 (ADA) compliance and universal design.
Part of Michael's master's degree study was an evaluation of facilities for people with disabilities in foreign countries. He studied in Scandinavia, Britain and Germany from 1994 to 1995.
Michael was disabled due to a traffic accident in 1965 and a second one in 1987. He embraced a world of sports for people with disabilities, including kayaking, skiing and hand cycling. He rode his bicycle in the LA Marathon in 1999.
He enjoyed playing bridge, camping, traveling, singing, cooking, his pet cats, art, antiques, gardening and classic movies, of which he had a large collection - including vintage movie posters.
Having suffered two major life-tghreatening accidents with life-long complications, Michael was passionate about giving to others, his faith, and having a positive attitude. He was determined to live his life in the fullest way he could.
In 1997, Michael discovered his biological father was Albert Louis Glandt of Lynnwood, Wash., and in his search for him, discovered that his father had passed away in 1985, but learned he had a sister, Alinda, with whom he began a wonderful 12 year relationship.
Michael was a member of the First Baptist Church of San Luis Obispo, where he was active in the prayer ministry, homeless ministry and mentoring program that provided counseling and support for new Christians. Michael was president of the Homeowners Association of Rancho San Luis Mobile Estates in San Luis Obispo.
Michael is survived by his mother, Marie Shannon of San Luis Obispo; sisters Alinda (Joseph) Bruce of Mukilteo, Wash., and Mary Louise Shannon of Florida; life long friend and companion, Ernest Triebel of San Luis Obispo; and sweetheart, Zona Ludlum of Belleville, Ill.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14, 2009, at Reis Family Mortuary Chapel, 991 Nipomo St. in San Luis Obispo.
A private burial and service will be held in Lake Geneva, Wis.