Ben Romo Architecture Student
1-847-997-8104
romob6175@gmail.com
319 N. Seminary Ave, Park Ridge, IL
https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminromo/
https://issuu.com/ben.romo/docs/benromo_undergradportfolio
Architecture is a language that leads people’s daily lives, a silent guide shaping our paths and spaces. It is the responsibility of the architect to listen, to read the stories woven into the fabric of a place, and to craft designs that nurture its spirit. As a student of architecture, I have only begun to decipher this language. Through professional practice and graduate school, I aspire to become fluent in a language of many dialects spoken worldwide.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies
Minor in Spanish
Expected Graduation: May 2025 GPA: 3.77
Architectural Design Team Lead
Illinois Solar Decathlon / Urbana, IL / Aug 2023 - Present
• Assisted in the design of Illinois’ 2023-2024 (Net-zero education building) and 2024-2025 (Multi-family affordable housing retrofit) “Department of Energy Solar Decathlon Design Challenge”.
• Led weekly sub-team meetings consisting of research, design, and drawing production while communicating design intentions to electrical, HVAC, market analysis, and sustainability sub-teams.
Head Philanthropy Chair
Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity / Urbana, IL / Nov 2022 - May 2023
• Coordinated the recruitment of 500 volunteers to pack 100,000 meals for children in need, fed 253 children for an entire year.
• Through outreach and communication, raised over $25,000 for Feed My Starving Children, a 501(c)(3) organization.
• Led a committee to plan and organize philanthropic events on campus and in the community throughout the school year.
Student Athlete
Illinois Mens Rugby Club/ Urbana, IL / Aug 2021-Present
• Balance 10-12 hours a week conditioning, practicing, and traveling for BIG 10 matches and tournaments.
• Mentor first year athletes in learning the game of rugby.
Summer Intern
Harding Partners / Chicago, IL / May 2024 - Aug 2024
• Produced detail and technical drawings for Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1901 Davenport house, garage, and terrace construction sets.
• Collaborated directly under architect Paul Harding (FAIA) and other interns/designers to create drawings and company proposals.
Summer Intern
The Childs Dreyfus Group / Chicago, IL / May 2022 - Aug 2022
• Assisted designers and architects with various construction sets for residential and mixed use building complexes.
• Daily communication with suppliers to obtain various finishing materials for projects proposals.
• Coordinated update calls between internal stakeholders, outside firms, and clients to discuss progress and challenges on numerous projects.
Design Competitions
Buildner Architecture Competitions
Microhome Competition / 2023
• Researched dozens of global sites to identify areas of low socio-economy with high carbon emittance to provide efficient and cost effective homes for those living there.
• Balanced the needs of the user in a constrained area to create comfortable living conditions.
Museum of Emotions Competition / 2024
• Recognized on the ‘Shortlisted Projects’ for an international competition by professionals and students.
• Participated with fellow architecture peers to conceive a feasible narrative for a conceptual project.
• Utilized artificial intelligence to produce final renderings.
Proficiencies: Revit, Rhino, AutoCad, Enscape, AdobeIllustrator, AdobePhotoshop, PremierePro, AfterEffects, InDesign, hand sketch.
Awards: Matt Heldman Scholarship; Bob and Dorthy Inserra Scholarship; Museum of Emotions Edition 5 short listed projects; 2024 Earl Prize Nomination
Languages: English and Spanish