Liz Richardson graduated with a Master's degree in Architecture from the Univeristy of North Carolina-Charlotte in 2009. Her body of work shows a particular interest in how the act of fabrication can begin to reveal more sophisticated methods of form-development that are no longer driven by questions of aesthetics, but of how the made object becomes essential to the development of the critical idea, forcing an engagement with the tangible materials, the user, and society as a whole.
This collection of works is broken down into categories of ideas, making, and 'the space between' - where critical ideas spark new methods of fabrication and where fabrication methods are tested to answer additional architectural queries.
"we see architecture as a profound act of optimism. its foundation lies in believing that it is possible to make places on the earth that can give a sense of grace to life - and believing that matters."
-tod williams and billie tsien
July 2006 - May 2009 University of North Carolina at Charlotte - Charlotte, NC
Masters of Architecture I
GPA: 4.0
Fall 2002 - Spring 2006 University of Kentucky - Lexington, KY
Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design
GPA: 3.95 Valedictorian UK College of Design Class of 2006
Deans List: Fall 2002 thru Spring 2006
Summer 2008 Ghost Laboratory - Upper Kingsburg, Nova Scotia
participated in design+build experience with Brian MacKay-Lyons,
studying the cultural and environmental implications of building on the
coast of Nova Scotia
Spring 2005+2006 Study Abroad - Berlin, Germany
work+study experience with Johanne Nalbach of the Nalbach +
Nalbach design firm in Berlin
Contract Intern Perkins + Will - Charlotte, NC
April 2010 - Present Part-time contract intern serving as a part of a project team, helping to prepare drawing
sets, develop 3-D models, and presentation graphics
Adjunct Faculty Queens University of Charlotte - Charlotte, NC
May 2010 - Present Instructor to Interior Design students within the Department of Art at Queens University.
Teaching ARDE 311 - Digital Design for Interior Designers, covering autoCAD, SketchUp,
and an introduction to the Adobe Creative Suite
Consultant fluxwurx - Charlotte, NC
September 2009 - Present Assistant to the design team of Bryan+Jen Shields
Manager in Training Anthropologie - Charlotte, NC
August 2009 - Present Sales Associate responsible the execution of both operational and visual merchandising
duties in a retail setting
Research Assistant University of North Carolina at Charlotte - Charlotte, NC
August 2008 - May 2009 Research assistant with the Digital Design Center within the School of Architecture
conducting research into areas of digital fabrication and material behavior
Intern Perkins+Will - Charlotte, NC
May 2008 - August 2008 Architectural Intern serving as member of various project teams, assisting with a
wide-range of tasks including the preparation of drawing sets and presentation materials
Teaching Assistant University of North Carolina at Charlotte - Charlotte, NC
Summer 2007 + Spring 2008 Teaching Assistant to José L.S. Gámez, Ph.D. during studio courses for first year graduate
students. Responsibilities include conducting theory seminars, offering process critiques,
and assisting in the evaluation of student performance
Intern Gensler - Charlotte, NC
May 2007 - July 2007 Architectural Intern assisting with drawing revisions, finish selections, and preparations for
client presentations. Served on a project team, attending team meetings and assisting
with the day-to-day tasks required of the project
:: software :: AutoCAD 2010, Adobe Creative Suite4, SketchUp, Rhinoceros, limited Revit
:: fabrication :: CNC-machining, rapid proto-typing, plasma cutting, MIG welding
:: other :: drafting, rendering, analog modeling, watercolor
Sept 2009 - Present gDwell - Charlotte, NC
Serving as design consultant to an organization focused on the creative use of materials
and concepts in developing intelligent spaces and affordable places
Aug 2009 - Present Architecture for Humanity - Charlotte, NC
Member of organization aimed at promoting the advancement of responsible social and
civic service to our community through public awareness and design advocacy
Aug 2009 - Present Guest Critic - UNC Charlotte
Guest juror during critiques of both graduate and undergraduate student studio
and seminar work
Aug 2008 - Nov 2008 Habitat for Humanity - Charlotte, NC
Assisted in the re-design of HforH design standards as well as weekly construction work
Aug 2006 - May 2009 MASS Masters of Architecture Student Society - UNC Charlotte
Member of student organization focused on initiating productive dialog between
graduate programs nationwide
Aug 2004 - May 2006 University of Kentucky College of Design Student Council
Facilitated student activities within the CoD and served as President during
the 2005-2006 term
Best Architectural Thesis Project (2009)
awarded by faculty to graduating student with thesis work that demonstrates an exemplary level of proficiency
in representation, critical development, and theoretical discourse
AIA Alpha Rho Chi Medal (2009)
awarded to the graduating student who has demonstrated an outstanding record of leadership and professional merit
AIA Henry Adams Medal (2009)
awarded to the graduating student who has achieved the highest cumulative grade point average throughout the duration of the professional program
criticalMASS (2009)
selected by peers to present thesis work at annual student symposium featuring Nader Terhani [office dA]
AIA WV Scholarship (2007 & 2008)
scholarship awarded to West Virginia resident in pursuit of a professional degree in architecture
Deans Prize in Interior Design (2006)
highest honor bestowed by the College to a graduating senior who has demonstrated sustained leadership and
design commitment throughout the duration of his/her design career
Omicron Delta Kappa Maurice A. Clay Award (2006)
presented for exceptional leadership and service to UKs College of Design while maintaining a strong academic record
Commendation Award in Interior Design (2004 and 2006)
given to the top four students at each academic level as determined by the faculty
