Portfolio_Glgarcia_MAY 2025

GHISLAINE GARCIA EDUCATION

t. 708.743.2249

e. ghislainelgarcia@gmail.com

w. archinect.com/garciaghislaine issuu.com/glgarcia

REFERENCES

Thomas Kerwin

bKL Architecture - Founding Principal tkerwin@bklarch.com 312.469.8131

Angela Spadoni

bKL Architecture - Principal aspadoni@bklarch.com 773.999.7178

Danielle Tillman

bKL Architecture - Managing Principal dtillman@bklarch.com 312.661.2916

Jon Gately

bKL Architecture - Principal jgately@bklarch.com 210.363.4994

Juan Robles

bKL Architecture - Principal jrobles@bklarch.com 312.469.8077

Michael Rose

bKL Architecture - Director mrose@bklarch.com 312.469.8015

AIA Chicago EDI Beta Test Commitee

ACE Mentor Program Mentor

University of Cincinnati Master of Architecture

University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Bachelor of Science, Architectural Studies

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

bKL Architecture LLC | Associate | Chicago, IL

Spearheaded the design and development of an innovative exterior wall system for a complex precast building, ensuring structural integrity and aesthetic excellence.

Orchestrated and streamlined daily collaboration with consultants to navigate critical design challenges, driving precision and alignment at every project phase to meet tight deadlines and complex requirements.

Executed numerous production efforts for DPD intake requirements for high-profile projects.

Krueck Sexton Partners | Technical Architectural Designer | Chicago, IL

Developed comprehensive construction documents for CME Center*. Contributed to bridging documents for sensitive but unclassified project in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Lead the firm’s efforts, contribution and involvement with the ACE mentor program. Executed a RFP submission for a local project in Chicago. Heavily involved in the marketing department and social media platforms for daily outreach.

ZGF Architects | Architectural Design Intern | Portland, OR

Supported schematic design phase for the 11W Mixed-Use Residential Tower. Delivered compelling, client-facing presentations and participated in client strategy meetings, fostering strong partnerships and exceeding project milestones.

Costa Brown Architecture | Architectural Design Intern | San Francisco, CA

Edited construction document sets for various interior renovations and residential housing projects. Prepared detailed construction documentation for client meetings.

Engaged in schematic design for a single-family residence, producing high-quality renderings and graphic presentations for client reviews.

University of Cincinnati | SAID Graduate Research Assistant | Cincinnati, OH

Co-edited the School of Architecture and Interior Design Book “Echos”

Edited MetroLab publications, contributing to the university’s research initiatives.

HDR Inc. | Architectural Design Intern | Chicago, IL

Instrumental in the schematic design for the Advocate Christ Emergency Department Enclosure, producing impactful visuals and material boards that advanced client decision-making processes. Contributed to construction documents for the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago

Goettsch Partners | Architectural Designer Intern | Chicago, IL

Collaborated on high-stakes international competitions and high-profile projects, crafting models and visual media that showcased design innovation and strategic problem-solving. Developed presentations for the CAF, engaging educators across the U.S.

Distinguished Thesis Research Award

1st Place Daktronics Environmental Graphics - Graphic Design Competition

Graduate Research Assistant Award

George Fabe Scholarship Recipient

ECHOS - University of Cincinnati SAID Publication - Co-Edited

Graduate Assistant Award

1st Place GAB Competition - “modulos de la lluvia” - Design Competition

BASE MASSING RESPONSE TO SITE FORCES

MASSING RESPONSE TO SITE FORCES

FURTHER ARTICULATION TO PROVIDE SCALE AND TEXTURE

MASSING REVISIONS

FURTHER ARTICULATION TO PROVIDE SCALE AND TEXTURE

METAL PICKET

CAST PANEL CLADDING & WOODEN BENCH

Ghislaine Garcia

Ghislaine Garcia

Project

Designer

bKL Architecture

Construction

Completed 2021 Chicago, IL

Roles

With its curved facade, Panorama, a 8 story mixed-use residential building is centrally located in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. Located one block away from the Belmont “L” station and two blocks from Wrigleyville and Boystown. Its curved facade softens its southeast corner for pedestrian flow on School Street. Panorama is comprised of 140 residential units, setting back at its 8th story for a terrace relief and grandiose views of the cityscape.

Chicago Mercantile Exchange - Lobby Repositioning

Project

Chicago, IL

Designer

Krueck Sexton Partners

Construction

Completed 2020

Roles

CD, CA

CME’s finished lobby serves as a welcoming, modern gateway that reflects the Exchange’s innovative spirit while fostering a professional and approachable atmosphere. The project involved modernizing existing infrastructure while integrating high-quality materials, stateof-the-art lighting, and functional layouts to enhance user experience. The result, a lobby circulation that is efficient for the user and state of the art lobby design.

LOBBY DESIGN - BEFORE

LOBBY DESIGN - AFTER

Sensory Kinematics - Smart House

Project

Thesis Project [Fall 2016 - Spring 2017] - Distinguished Thesis Award*

Location

East Price Hill, Cincinnati, OH

Software

Rhino, Grasshopper, Sketchup, Vray, Illustrator, Photoshop, c++, Arduino uno, Laser cutter, 3D ABS printer

As our involvement with the technological world grows rapidly and personalized digital mediums are pushing past hand held devices onto our immediate surroundings, the platform for designing these heightened sensorial spaces awaits an architectural application. The balance must find the architectural solution. Gestural communication and interaction with the built environment will dictate this architectural manifestation. In doing so, designers can implement these emerging technologies into our immediate surroundings, leaving the user with an ethereal connection to his or her spatial ambient.

SCENARIO I: WORKING FROM HOME

Person A has an opportunity to work from home. He gets the entire house to himself and decides to open up the house into three main dome shapes indicating the work area, bathroom / kitchen, and the bedrooms. Person A is able to see the entirety of his house from one end of the house overlooking Cincinnati’s beautiful topographic landscape.

SCENARIO II: KIDS PLAY DATE

During this play date three kids require a shape changing, fortlike nooks that they can massage into place how they want. The nooks the kids want are more personal spaces and separated from the rest of the house. In this scenario the bedrooms were unfolded and the furniture was moved to the basement of the house using a lift. The clothes that they are wearing allows them to make gestures to allow for the shape changes they desire. Smart phones then are required for a manual override that the owners of the house have ultimate control of the entirety of the moving house.

SCENARIO III: FAMILY GATHERING

During family gatherings like these, the house should be able to keep a constant temperature of 72F. This would call for the possibility of changes in roof height due to the air conditions in the house. The ceiling will have to rise to allow for more air circulation. Because the house is changing do to the needs of the occupants the shape of the house and room arrangements.

Ghislaine Garcia