In 1985 I was accepted into the multi-disciplinary Environmental Design BFA program at Parsons School of Design in New York City. Newly revitalized under the deanship of architect, designer and sculptor James Wines (author of the book Green Architecture) the program encouraged a critical rethinking of architecture and design. His own environmental design firm SITE continues to create inspired and provocative projects Worldwide.
In 1987, I moved to Los Angeles to continue my BFA through Parsons' newly formed affiliation with Otis Art Institute (Otis/Parsons), created to encourage a bi-coastal design experience. Headed by architect Frederick Fisher, the program bought together an immensely creative group of both students and faculty.
During this period I became increasingly interested in personal and environmental health and the connection between the two. I researched environmental building technologies and practices, took workshops with Nader Khalili and others, and attended Spirit of Place Symposiums produced by James Swan.
In 1991 I was the in-house designer and green building products specialist for Terra Verde - "an ecological department store" - at Fred Segal For a Better Ecology in Santa Monica California. Created by green retailing pioneer Katherine Tiddens, Terra Verde's flagship store in Soho (NYC) was the forerunner of today's "green" stores and was designed in consultation with architect William McDonough to rigorous environmental standards.
Terra Verde counted many of todays leading experts as customers, including sustainable building pioneer and consultant John Picard, Bau-Biologist and manufacturer, Mary Cordaro, and healthy living authors Debra Lynn Dadd and Mariel Hemmingway among many others.
Throughout the 1990's I made furniture and did custom woodworking from a workshop in Venice as well as on-site framing, finish carpentry and architectural woodwork for residential projects in Los Angeles. During this period, I also worked on several design/build projects in Mexico where I worked with local artisans and builders on resort and residential properties.
I have worked extensively as a production artisan, in a variety of mediums (from fabric to concrete), for a number of leading design studios including Nomi Fabrics, Elizabeth Paige Smith, Joel Sterns, Daniel Ogassian, and Ilan Dei among others.
My digital and web design education started in the mid 90's at Santa Monica College and has continued with ongoing independent learning of current best-practices and emerging technologies including social media, database technologies, and Content Management Systems (CMS).
As an outside sales associate involved with online media and marketing at livingreen in Culver City (Los Angeles) California, I represent the products and services of numerous companies to hundreds of homeowners and design professionals. By becoming a member of greenfolio.com, I will provide your company with the full-range of marketing, networking and publishing opportunities currently available through both my online network and the regional partnerships and affiliations I continue to develop.