URVI VARMA, LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE, ASSOC. AIA
+1-224-628-6503 | urvivv98@gmail.com | Portfolio | Linkedin
multi-team collaboration | building performance | enivronment and community oriented
Multi-faceted professional possessing a strong understanding and application in conceptualizing design strategies especially inclined towards environmental conditions and energy efficiency as well as contributing to various aspects of the design process, such as BIM modeling, programming analysis, concept development, construction drawings, construction administration, site visits, and exhibit design coordination. Ability to seamlessly collaborate and engage with a diverse group of stakeholders—ensure project completion, operational successes, and efficiency. Dedicated to forging a career in creating spaces that are functional, sustainable, and engaging for the users and the community. Exceptional communicator with fluency in English as well as being a native speaker in both Gujarati and Hindi.
EDUCATION
Master of Architecture (M.Arch) - Concentration in Building Performance | GPA: 3.9/4
The Illinois School of Architecture (UIUC), Champaign, USA | Graduated-2024
Coursework: Planning And Design Of Structural Systems | Experimental Envelopes | Building Life Cycle And Cost Assessment | Mass Timber Design | Sustainable Urban Design Theory | Environmental Control Systems | History And Theory Of Architecture | Globalization And Urbanization
Bachelor in Architecture (B.Arch) | GPA: 3.8/4
The Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU), Vadodara, Gujarat, India | Graduated-2021
KEY SKILLS
BIM Management | Technology Integration | Design Development | Stakeholder Management Site and Data Analysis | Energy Analysis | 3D Printing | Laser Cutting | Project Management
Team Support | Model Making | Sketching | Woodshop Tier 1 | Drafting | Photography
ACHIEVEMENTS
AIA Medal for Academic Excellence 2024
Awarded the Miller Hull Partnership Scholarship, 2023
Ratio Design Prize, Large Scale - Grand Prize, Graduate Excellence Award, Fall 2023
Awarded Honourable Mention - Graduate Excellence Award, Spring 2023
Continually learning and implementing new strategies in design and construction
CAREER OVERVIEW
ILLINOIS SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE – UIUC
2023 – 2024 Graduate Teaching Assistant
Led various graduate courses as well as provided guidance and academic support to students. Worked closely with professor(s) to plan lessons and achieve key course aims. Implemented various teaching strategies to immerse students in subjects and create an environment conducive to promoting creative thinking and teamwork. Guided students to use architectural tools, Rhino, Adobe Creative Suite, 3D printing, laser cutting, model making etc.
COURSES
Arch 536: Planning and Design of Structural Systems (Graduate Course) | Aug - Dec 2023
Arch 171: Concepts and Theories of Architectural Design | Aug - Dec 2023
Arch 435: Structural Systems and Construction Methods | Jan - May 2024
PROJECT PUBLICATION, ACSA
112TH ANNUAL MEETING: DISRUPTERS ON THE EDGE
Integrating Building Technology and Computation into Urban Design: A Contextual Approach
Co-Authors: Anushree Parkhi, Graduate Student, Prof. Yun Ki, Ph.D., Assistant Professor., UIUC
INTERACTIVE DESIGN ARCHITECTS, CHICAGO, IL, USA
2022 – 2023 Full-time Emerging Professional (Jan - Aug 2022) - Internship (May - Aug 2023)
Worked closely with cross-functioning teams on various projects while maintaining internal processes and procedures as well as recommending opportunities for improvement. Adhered to internal procedural frameworks and policies—developing a productive workspace. Management of multiple projects—fulfilling key milestones and goals while ensuring high levels of process quality control/assurance. Assisted in establishing social media presence at the firms—have worked and reorganized their archival.
OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER
• Managed construction administration by effectively reviewing and timely correspondence on submittals with design architects, engineering consultants, and contractors
• Formed a system of administrating submittal with the team in the very initial phase of construction
• Coordinated architectural and construction drawings in Design Development, Schematic Design, Construction Document phases
• Effectively collaborated with various agencies involved in designing space for museum exhibits at different levels in the presidential tower and made updates in the Revit model on BIM 360
• Accomplished deadlines and gave timely delivery of the drawing sets
FORT WAYNE CAPITAL SECURITY PROJECT (GSA) - HISTORIC COURTHOUSE EXTENSION
• Developed a BIM model using Revit from a set of hand drawings produced in 1986 for the Historic Courthouse in Fort Wayne—to analyze the structure, circulation, security, and programming of the building
• Showcased understanding in studying and translating details from Blueprints and converting them into a Revit Model
• The project opened the scope of designing extensions and re-programing the functional requirement
• Delivered comprehensive construction drawing sets, encompassing meticulously prepared floor plans and detailed drawings
SAMVAD DESIGN STUDIO, BANGALORE, INDIA
2019 Internship (May - Nov 2019)
Worked closely with an array of clients on projects related to design development. Maintained communications through site visits and meticulous records of project changes and client interactions. Developed concepts and design details using different media such as physical models, 3D Models and sketches
CRICKET ACADEMY
• Synthesized material, structural and tectonic expression—using compressed stabilized earth blocks, passive cooling technologies which generated the massing, environmental and energy responsive strategies evolved to address the tropical hot and dry climatic zone
HOUSE OF TWO COURTS
Created detailed physical models with an iterative and comprehensive approach to study design outcomes
• Conducted market surveys for material selection for effective cost analysis and detailing of the project and efficiently delivered working drawings
REGISTRATION
NCARB AXP Experience Hours Record – 2049 hours Approved/ 1691 hours Remaining – In Progress Programming & Analysis, 128 hr. Approved
Project Planning & Design, 753 hr. Approved
Project Development and Documentation, 288 hr. Approved
Completed:
Construction Evaluation, 360 hr. Approved Project Management, 360 hr. Approved
Practice Management, 160 hr. Approved
APPLICATIONS EXPERTISE
• Revit
• BIM 360
• AutoCAD
• SketchUp
• Rhinoceros, Grasshopper (Ladybug, Wasp, Honeybee, Mosquito) |Computation
• Adobe Creative Suite | Graphics (Photoshop, InDesign Lightroom, Illustrator)
• Covetool | Energy Analysis
• Mid-journey | AI Image Generation
• Procore | Project Management
Blue beam | Document Management
• Lumion | Rendering
• Enscape | Rendering