Skip to main content Accessibility Policy

Ernest Abuin

Interior design professor

Education

  • M.Arch., architecture, Florida International University
  • M.Des., historic preservation, Boston Architectural College
  • B.A., anthropology, University of Miami

Credentials

Academic experience

  • Professor, 2016-present, Savannah College of Art and Design
    Teaching interior design studio courses, professional practice, innovative materials and building construction systems.
  • Adjunct design professor, 2004-2015, Miami Dade College
    Taught Formative Interior and Architectural Design 1-4, Architectural History, Design Communications and Drawing, Computer Applications (CAD 2, Introduction to Revit).
  • Adjunct design professor, 2013, Florida International University
    Taught Formative Design: Design Presentations and Special Topics (dual enrollment program at Design and Architecture Senior High).

Professional design practice

  • Senior designer and commercial architect
    Interior design consultant, 2010–16, CALLISON-RTKL Associates Inc., Coral Gables, FL
    Schematic design, design development, Revit modeling and presentation for various mixed-use, residential, and commercial development nationally and abroad. Mixed use development and cruise ship design.
  • Design collaboration, 2008–10, PIE Studio, Project Import Export Inc., Miami, FL
    Performed schematic design, design development, presentation, and fabrication: Miami Science Museum Room for Debate; Menssianu Residence; Wat Buddharangsi Buddhist Temple, Miami; Lotus American Lemans Racing Pavillion; 2B Asian Bistro; and Kabuki Restaurants.
  • Project architect, 2005–08, Beame Architectural Partnership, P.A., Coral Gables, FL
    Created planning and concept, schematic design, design development and graphics presentations, tenant review and coordination for various planning, hospitality, mixed-use, and retail development nationally and abroad.
  • Apprentice architect, 2003–05, Neville & Steffens LLP, Coral Gables, FL
    Created construction documents, design development, and presentations. Projects included Yuga, interior design and construction documents for restaurant; Historic McFarlane Homestead, design proposals for renovation and restoration of South Florida 1900s historically significant housing units; and 5450 Ponce Blvd., design restoration of facade and space planning for historic building.
  • Staff architect, 2000–03, Virtual Visions Architects, Inc., Miami, FL
    Construction documents, design development, and presentations. Projects included Nocturnal, interior design and construction documents for a nightclub Ultra Lounge; Envy, interior design and construction documents for an upscale boutique nightclub; Dewie's Tavern, interior remodeling of restaurant, pub, and landscape addition; and Traymore and Fairmont Hotels, documentation of existing conditions, site analysis, floor plans and elevations, Art Deco historical research, proposal for interior design and remodeling of historic buildings including new lobby, exterior garden spaces, swimming pool, amenities, exterior dining, and lounge area.

Awards, recognitions, and honors

  • Holland Prize, Peterson Prize, Boston, 2015
  • Greene Design Award of Excellence, Historic Preservation, 2013
  • Design Commendations (two), Cultura Ocho, 2013
  • Nomination, Miami's Top 100 Influential Citizens, 2013
  • London International Creative Competition Environmental Design, H2O Africa, 2012
  • London International Creative Competition Environmental Design, Urban Chicken Coop, 2011
  • Metropolis "One Fix" Next Generation Design Competition Pollinator Generator, 2010
  • Honorable Mention, London International Creative Competition Environmental Design, 2010
  • Critical Productive v 1.2 Journal of Architecture and Urban Design Martyr for Love, 2009
  • Architecture for Humanity Africa Challenge, 2008

Organizations

  • Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC)
  • American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)
  • American Institute for Conservation (AIC)
  • International Living Future Institute (ILFI)
  • U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)

Publications and presentations

Academic presentations and lectures

  • "Design Visualization Workshop: Strategies for Communicating Ideas Through Sketching," presented at Savannah College of Art and Design, 2016–present.
  • "La Ciudad: Empacada al Vacío," presented at El Tecnológico de Monterrey, Universidad Pontifical Xavierian, 2013.
  • "Design Workshop: Architecture & Interiors," presented at Designalter Foundation/PATH Architectural Alliance, 2013.
  • "Design Workshop: Modern Interventions Historic Avalos," presented at El Tecnologico de Monterrey, 2012.
  • "Instituto Creativo," presented at CUU: Second Congress of Design and Architecture (ITESM), El Tecnológico de Monterrey, Chihuahua, Mexico, 2012.
  • "Taller Internacional de Arquitectura," presented at Designalter with (ITESM), El Tecnológico de Monterrey, Chihuahua, Mexico, 2012.
  • "Design workshop with professor Miguel Cifuentes," presented at Designalter Foundation, Monteria, Colombia, 2011.
  • "Design Workshop: Historic Interventions," presented at Universidad del SINU, Monteria, Colombia, 2011.

Exhibitions and publications

  • "Cultura Ocho: A Community Center Celebrating the Culture of Calle Ocho," presented at Boston Architectural College, design exposition, 2013.
  • "ITESM Revitalization and Renovation," design jury and publication, Arquitectura Entre Líneas, Nov. 2011.
  • Design and Architecture Senior High School Taste of Design, Miami, 2011.
  • "The Food and Wine Festival," art submission in Miami, 2012.
  • "Taller Internacional de Arquitectura," workshop at Designalter with El Tecnológico de Monterrey, 2012.
  • "Al Día," celebrating the day of the Architect, Architecture Symposium, Oct. 2011.
  • "Al Día," presented at Thinking Locally: Build Globally, Montería, Colombia, Oct., 2011.
  • "No Boundaries Haitian Disaster Relief Art Exhibition," Miami, 2011.