MILENA LAERA
mlaera@outlook.com | +1(630) 337 4479 | Arlington Heights, IL, 60004
• Collaboration and Teamwork
• Critical Thinking
• Organization
• Rendering Abilities
• Adobe Creative Suite
Skills & Abilities
• SketchUP
• Enscape
• AutoCAD
• Revit
Experience
Architectural Intern | GastingerWalker& - Kansas City, MO | 07/2023 - Current
• Created 3D models and renderings of buildings using computer-aided design tools.
• Organized data and modeled information for use in key decision-making.
• Generated concept designs, collaborated with clients to gain feedback and directed entire design process.
• Researched local building ordinances and zoning regulations to ensure compliance with relevant codes.
Data Specialist | Tuulbelt - Remote | 10/2022 - 06/2023
• Managed and updated CAD documentation to keep records current to date.
• Validated incoming architectural diagrams against quality standards to eliminate irrelevant or unusable information.
• Added documents to file records and created new architectural diagrams to support filing needs.
• Developed and maintained deliverables and architectural diagram templates.
Administrative Assistant | JLL Mechanical - Rosemont, IL | 06/2020 - 03/2021
• Executed record filing system to improve document organization and management.
• Interacted with vendors, contractors and professional services personnel to receive orders, direct activities and communicate instructions.
• Processed invoices and expenses using QuickBooks to facilitate on-time payment.
Education
University of Kansas | Lawrence, KS | Expected in 05/2024 Master of Architecture
University of Kansas | Lawrence, KS | 06/2023
Bachelor in Arts: Architectural Studies
• Cheerleader for KU Spirit Squad, 2017 to 2021
• London & Paris Study Abroad on Architecture
Buffalo Grove High School | Buffalo Grove, IL | 05/2017
High School Diploma
• Cheerleader for BGHS, 2014 to 2017; Won 2 State Championships
• Captain of BGHS Cheerleading team
• 2017 - Highest Honor Roll
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RESUME
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PAGE: 6 - 17 01
RIVERSTONE ELEMENTARY | EDUCATION
PAGE: 18 - 31 02
LAWRENCE GATEWAY | COMMERCIAL
PAGE: 32 - 41 03
DESIGN BUILD | CONSTRUCTION
PAGE: 42 - 51 04
STUDY ABROAD | LEARN
GASTINGERWALKER& | WORK
PAGE: 52 - 55
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05 CONTENTS
01
EDUCATION
LOCATION DENVER, COLORADO
DATE SPRING 2023
DESCRIPTION RIVERSTONE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND FEATURES AN INNOVATIVE DESIGN INSPIRED BY STEPPING STONES IN A RIVER, WITH THE ROOF RESEMBLING THE FLOW OF WATER AND KEY CLASSROOMS ACTING AS PROTRUDING STONES. IT HOUSES 12 CLASSROOMS FOR GRADES KINDERGARTEN TO 5TH. SPECIALIZED SPACES LIKE A THEATER, MUSIC ROOM, AND ACTIVITY GYM ENHANCE THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE, FOSTERING CREATIVITY AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. THIS INCLUSIVE DESIGN AIMS TO CREATE AN ENGAGING ENVIRONMENT FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS, BLENDING FUNCTIONALITY WITH METAPHORICAL SIGNIFICANCE IN THE EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY.
PARTNER: BROOKS QUINBY
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7 RIVERSTONE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND
1. ALIGNED WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT.
3. “RIVER ROOF” ENCOMPASSES BUILDING AND SWEEPS ACROSS SITE.
5. FINAL FORM WITH IMPORTANT PROGRAMMATIC CALL OUTS.
2. EXTRUDED BUILDING FORM WITH THE CONNECTION TO THE PARK.
4. “STEPPING STONE’, TWO STORY SPACES RISE ABOVE THE ROOF.
8
CONCEPT DIAGRAMS
9 SITE PLAN SITE PLAN
10 FLOOR PLAN FLOOR PLAN
11
MUSIC ROOM
MODEL IMAGES
HALLWAY + LEARNING POCKET
5/8 GYPSUM
1” FLUSH WALL/ SOFFIT ALUMINUM PANELS
FASTENER FLANGE
CONTINUOUS INSULATION
AIR/ WATER BARRIER
EXTERIOR SHEATHING
LIGHT GAUGE STEEL W/ CAVITY INSULATION
METAL TRACK
FLEXIBLE FLASHING
FLASHING
GROUND LEVEL 0’ - 0”
SEALANT SILL GASKET
INTERIOR FLOOR FINISH
RIDGED INSULATION
CONCRETE SLAB
CONCRETE FOUNDATION
WALL
GRAVEL
SLOPE
A
COPING
LEVEL 3 20’ - 0”
EXTENDED STARTER J ANCHOR
AIR/ WATER BARRIER
ROOF MEMBRANE
2” X 1’ X 2’ LIMESTONE VENEER
AIR SPACE
2” RIGID INSULATION
CANT STRIP
1/2” BACKER ROD & JOINT SEALANT
STAINLESS STEEL STONE ANCHOR
DOUBLE LAYER ROOF INSULATION
METAL ROOF DECKING
METAL TRACK
LIGHT GAUGE STEEL W/ CAVITY INSULATION
5/8” GYPSUM
FLUID APPLIED MEMBRANE
AIR BARRIER
6” X 8” X 16” CMU RUNNING BOND
24” DEEP O.C. JOIST
SLOPE
F
14 ELEVATIONS
15 ELEVATIONS
EAST ELEVATION
SOUTH ELEVATION
OUR SECTION MODEL PROVIDES A CONCISE INSIDE LOOK, EMPHASIZING THE DISTINCTIVE STEPPING STONE DESIGN, AND ALSO SHOWCASES KEY FEATURES LIKE THE FLOWING ROOF, CLASSROOMS, LEARNING POCKETS, AND SPECIALIZED SPACES.
17
FACADE
MODEL IMAGES
EXTERIOR DOORS LEADING TO COURTYARD
02
COMMERCIAL
LOCATION LAWRENCE, KANSAS
DATE SPRING 2022
DESCRIPTION WELCOME TO THE LAWRENCE GATEWAY, A TRANSFORMATIVE TRANSPORTATION HUB AND COMMUNITY CENTER IN LAWRENCE, KANSAS. DESIGNED TO TRANSCEND TRADITIONAL EXPECTATIONS, THIS DYNAMIC SPACE SERVES AS A CENTRAL MEETING POINT FOR BUSES WHILE OFFERING A MULTIFACETED EXPERIENCE. THE HUB INCLUDES MODERN OFFICES AVAILABLE FOR RENT, WITH A CHARMING CAFE, A CONVENIENT SMALL GROCERY STORE, A PEACEFUL LIBRARY WITH A VIEW OUT TO LAWRENCE, AND MULTIPLE RETAIL SPACES, THE LAWRENCE GATEWAY CREATES A LIVELY AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT, REDEFINING THE CONCEPT OF A TRANSPORTATION HUB INTO A THRIVING COMMUNITY DESTINATION.
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LAWRENCE GATEWAY
TRANSPORTATION HUB
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1. ALIGNED WITH SURROUNDING CONTEXT.
3. EXTRUDED OFFSET FOOTPRINT TO CREATE A STEP-UP CONCEPT TO THE FORM.
2. LET THE “FLOW” OF TRAFFIC CUT A PIECE OFF THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING.
4. PULLED FORM ACROSS THE TOP TO CREATE A CONNECTION BETWEEN BOTH PIECES.
20
CONCEPT DIAGRAMS
21
Vermont St.
Massachusetts St.
W. 9th St.
SITE PLAN
SITE PLAN
UNVEILING A DISTINCTIVE MATERIAL MODEL FOR THE LAWRENCE GATEWAY, MY DESIGN JUXTAPOSES SLEEK METALS WITH WARM WOODS, MASONRY, AND ORGANIC SHAPES CREATING A VISUALLY STRIKING PALETTE FOR THE FACADE OF THE LAWRENCE GATEWAY.
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WEST ELEVATION
ELEVATIONS
SOUTH ELEVATION
THIS SECTION MODEL SHOWCASES A DELIBERATE FUSION OF MATERIALS. THIS DESIGN INTEGRATES THE IDEA OF MASONRY, GLASS AND WARM WOODS, CREATING A HARMONIOUS BLEND THAT CHARACTERIZES THE UNIQUE AND REFINED AESTHETIC OF THIS PROJECT THAT WAS BASED OFF WALL DETAILS THAT WERE CREATED BEFORE.
25 DETAIL 3 3b 3c 4 WALL SECTION DETAIL
26 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 A B C D E F G3b 3c H
FLOOR PLAN
SECOND FLOOR
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OFFICE SPACE RENDERINGS
CAFE
28 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 A B C D E F G3b 3c H
FLOOR PLAN
GROUND FLOOR
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FLOOR PLAN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 A B C D E F G3b 3c H
THIRD FLOOR
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FLOOR PLAN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 A B C D E F G3b 3c H
FOURTH FLOOR
THE VIEW OF LAWRENCE FROM A ROOFTOP SPACE CREATED FOR VISITORS TO ENJOY.
03
CONSTRUCTION
LOCATION TOPEKA, KANSAS
DATE FALL 2021
DESCRIPTION STEP INTO THE CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTER IN TOPEKA, KANSAS, AND BE ENCHANTED BY A PAGODA BROUGHT TO LIFE THROUGH THE HARD-WORK OF MY DEDICATED DESIGN-BUILD STUDIO. INSPIRED BY THE CHINESE NEW YEAR, THIS VIBRANT STRUCTURE SEAMLESSLY BLENDS TRADITION AND MODERNITY, OFFERING CHILDREN AN IMMERSIVE SPACE FOR EXPLORATION AND LEARNING OF THE CHINESE CULTURE, FOSTERING A RICH AND ENGAGING EXPERIENCE. A TESTAMENT TO COLLABORATIVE CREATIVITY, THIS WHIMSICAL PAGODA STANDS NOT ONLY AS A PHYSICAL MARVEL BUT ALSO AS A SYMBOL OF CULTURAL CELEBRATION AND THE JOYOUS SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY FOR YOUNG MINDS.
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NEW YEARS PAGODA
DESIGN BUILD
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34
IMAGES
OLD PAGODA
35
IMAGES
ORIGINAL CORNER CONNECTION ON OLD PAGODA
A BIG PART OF THIS PROJECT THAT I WAS IN CHARGE OF WAS DESIGNING AN ELEMENT THAT RESEMBLES TRADITIONAL DOUGONGS THAT ARE FOUND IN PAGODAS. AND THIS WAS THE FINAL DESIGN THAT THE TEAM AGREED UPON.
FIRST DOUGONG ITERATION
SECOND TO LAST DOUGONG ITERATION
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PROGRESS MODELS
38
IMAGES
BREAKING GROUND
39
IMAGES
FINAL TOUCH-UPS ON COLUMNS BEFORE GALVANIZATION AND PAINT
ANOTHER PART OF THE PROJECT THAT I WAS IN CHARGE OF WAS, CREATING THE PAGODA’S ROOF MEMBERS. THE INTRICACIES OF THE ROOF ADD A LAYER OF ENCHANTMENT TO IT'S DESIGN.
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ROOF SHIMS
IMAGES
ROOF SHIMS
LEARN
LOCATION LONDON, ENGLAND + PARIS, FRANCE
DATE SUMMER 2023
DESCRIPTION EMBARK ON A VISUAL JOURNEY THROUGH THE ARCHITECTURAL TAPESTRY OF LONDON AND PARIS WITH THIS CAPTIVATING LOOK BOOK. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DIVE INTO THE RICH HISTORY OF THESE TWO ICONIC CITIES IN THE SUMMER OF 2023, THE COLLECTION FEATURES A COUPLE STRIKING IMAGES AND INTRICATE DRAWINGS THAT BEAUTIFULLY SHOWCASE THE DIVERSE RANGE OF ARCHITECTURAL MARVELS. EACH SNAPSHOT CAPTURES THE ESSENCE OF THESE CITIES’ UNIQUE CHARM AND HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE.
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