Architectural Designer
LEED Green Associate
RISD M.Arch '15
ALEXANDRA MEANS
M 508 686 6322 E contact@alexandrameans.com
Art historian and painter turned architectural designer, I approach design as a cultural anthropologist. My diverse experiences provide a unique perspective and the freedom to explore my creativity at different scales.
CONTACT
SKILLS
Revit
Rhino 3D
AutoCad
Sketch-up
Grasshopper
Photoshop CC
Ilustrator CC
Indesign CC
Graphic Design
3D Model-making
Digital Rendering
Watercolor Rendering
LEED
Sustainable Design
Google Earth
EXPERIENCE
Architectural Design Intern, Paul Weber Architect, Newport, RI—May-Sept. 2013
Completed construction documents and revised drawings from programming to finished details. Provided 3D models with a high attention to detail to assist architect and client. Maintained correspondence with consultants and contractors to ensure project details were clearly communicated and technical issues were resolved. Produced 2D and 3D presentation renderings for clients and the Newport Historic District Commission. Managed architecture design library and transformed its inventory into a searchable digital database. Performed product research assisting project architects with materials selection and system specifications. Promoted after 3 months and offered full employment.
Interactive Media/Exhibit Design Intern, Cortina Productions, Mclean, VA—May-Sept. 2012
Contributed to design of five touchscreen interactives from wireframe to production. Produced digital freehand graphics including a calibrated site map for GPS tracking within a mobile app. Illustrated graphic stills for animated films and designed graphic assets for museum exhibits with a strong use of typography, grid-based design, white space, and color theory. Assisted in testing of exhibit media and environments. Successfully interfaced with programmers, producers, management, contractors, and clients to meet project’s design needs on time.
Select clients include:
Landscape Architecture and Design Intern, Place Studio, Newport, RI—June-Sept. 2011
Responsible for historical research and diagrammatic presentations for Newport Harborwalk proposal. Consultant on interior renovation and restoration of historical Newport residence. Documented weekly team meetings, corresponding with clients and taking meeting minutes. Prepared material estimates. Researched and creatively selected plants to exceed clients aspirations. Assisted with on-site installations. Gave valuable insight on environmental conditions in coastal setting.
Architectural Design Intern, Cambridge Seven Associates, Cambridge, MA—Jan.-Aug. 2010
Assisted in overseeing production of exhibit sculptures. Provided concept research and sketched innovative exhibit design ideas. Introduced new material selections. Achieved graphic design work selected for Master Plan cover and design concept illustration. Arranged gallery of client’s art collection in Ceres Restaurant project. Participated in site visits and client meetings throughout the northeast. Worked collaboratively with donors, architects and artisans.
Select clients include:
Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library
Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library
Smithsonian National Zoo
National Archives and Records Administration
National World War II Museum
Columbia Athletics
Canadian Sports Hall of Fame
Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center
The Museum of Forestry
Natural Science Center of Greensboro
EDUCATION
Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI —Master of Architecture Candidate, 2015
“Centro Michelangelo” Travel Studio, Critic: Friedrich St. Florian- Florence, Italy, 2014
Posco Steel Travel Studio, “Smart Green Modular School”- Sejong, South Korea, 2013 “Floating Classroom” Design-Build Studio, Pawtucket, RI, 2012 "Design in the Developing World” Graduate Studies Course, 2012
Boston Architectural College, Boston, MA—Certificate of Sustainable Design, 2014 The Sustainable Design Institute, Professional & Continuing Education, GPA 3.9
Loyola University Maryland, Baltimore, MD—Dual Bachelors Degrees, 2011
Bachelors of Arts in Studio Art, Concentration in Painting, GPA 4.0
Bachelors of Arts in Art History, Concentration in Italian Studies, GPA 3.45
Boston College, Boston, MA—Undergraduate Studies in Philosophy, Summer 2010 GPA 3.835
Florence University of the Arts, Florence, Italy—Undergraduate Studies in Art, Summer 2009 Renaissance Art and Architectural History and Drawing Cityscapes, GPA 3.6
EXHIBITIONS
'RISD Graduate Show' May-June 2015, Providence Convention Center.
'Thinking Architecture: RISD Works in Progress' Thesis Show, March 2015, Providence City Hall.
'Artitecture' Solo Thesis Show, April-May 2011, Loyola University Blackbox Theater.
PUBLICATIONS
RISD Architecture, 2013.
WORK IN PROGRESS ISSUE NO. 16, 2015.