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Margaret (Maggie) McManus

Architecture professor

Education

  • M.Arch., architecture, University of Pennsylvania
  • M.F.A., visual arts, Marywood University
  • B.S., architecture, University of Virginia

Credentials

Teaching experience

  • Professor of architecture, 2020–present, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA
  • Associate professor, 2013–2020, Marywood University School of Architecture, Scranton, PA
  • Teaching assistant, 2000, “Fundamentals of Design,” University of Virginia School of Architecture, Charlottesville, VA

Professional experience

  • Principal/owner/architect, 2015–present, MOdesigns, LLC, Scranton, PA
    Design for both residential and commercial projects with a focus on sustainable strategies for recreational, resort communities. Provide architecture and interior design services from schematic drawings to construction documents for renovations, additions, and new construction projects. Services also include developing promotional marketing materials, surveying existing buildings, and site planning.
  • Architect, 2011–2013, STUDIOS Architecture, Washington, DC
    Project architect for an innovative 300,000-square-foot interior office space in Canada. Responsible for interior design construction documents, working drawings, and specifications. Coordinated consultant drawings and schedules with an internationally shared BIM Revit file and organized construction administration RFIs and site instructions. Responsible for spearheading client presentations and layouts; assisted with tenant planning and FF&E services.
  • Architect, 2010–2011, Sorg Architects, Washington, DC
    Collaborated on design and construction documents for government buildings and multifamily high-rise buildings abroad. Worked closely with government documents, codes and regulations, and overseas building operations.
  • Contract architect, 2009–2010, Gardner Mohr Architects, Silver Spring, MD
    Developed 3D design and construction documents for contemporary renovations and additions. Served as lead organizer and point of contact for LEED providers regarding a residence that earned LEED Gold certification.
  • Architectural designer, 2005–2008 and 2001–2003, RKD Architects Inc., Edwards, CO
    Worked for an award-winning firm specializing in high-end, contemporary mountain homes. Implemented AutoCAD 3D modeling for animations, renderings, fabrication and construction documents. As project manager, coordinated and reviewed all consultant documents and conducted regular online meetings with clients, general contractors, and structural and mechanical engineers. Researched materials, methods, and building codes, and implemented federal guidelines and regulations. Prepared project specification documents and was responsible for drawings from schematic phase to construction.

Awards, recognitions, and honors

  • Nominated, AIA Representative for NAAB Accreditation Visiting Teams, 2019
  • Grant Awarded, Lackawanna Heritage Valley — Educational Mini-Grant for "AIS: Introducing Students to the Built Environment," 2016–2017
  • Shortlisted in Category: Residential 2.5-5 Million Pounds, International Design + Architecture Awards, Green Fin House, Edina, MN, with RKD Architects design, et al; featured in television series Blueprint for Green, 2015
  • Highlighted in Architectural Digest, featured in Design-Milk.com, featured in materialiscious.com, featured in HGTVdecor.org, Canyon Point Residence, Telluride, CO with RKD Architects, Sept. 2008
  • Finalist for Van Alen Traveling Fellowship, University of Pennsylvania, 2005
  • Awarded Bockius Traveling Fellowship, University of Pennsylvania, 2004

Organizations

  • American Institute of Architects, 2010–present
  • National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, 2010–present
  • United States Green Building Council, 2011–2013

Publications and presentations

Publications

  • "Behind the Scenes," Journal of Architectural Education: Discursive Images, March 2018.
  • "Manufacturing Material Effects," Rethinking Design and Making in Architecture. Eds. Branco Kolarevic and Kevin Klinger, 2008.

Presentations

  • "A Variation on Narrative Perception in Beginning Design.” Forthcoming presentation at DCA Conference, Kennesaw State University, Atlanta, 2021.
  • "The Micro-Museum: Exercising Scalar Shifts in Art and Design.” Forthcoming presentation at FATE Conference, University of North Carolina-Charlotte, 2021.
  • "Mutual Mentorship: A Pedagogical Approach to Virtual Reality.” Presented at AMPS Conference, virtual, 2020.
  • "Digital aMUSEments: Playing with Case Studies.” Presented with co-author Michelle Pannone at ACSA Fall Conference, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 2019.
  • "Branding Space: Deliberate Formations in Beginning Design." Presented at EAEA14: European Architectural Envisioning Conference, Nantes, France, 2019.
  • "Developing an Integrated Curriculum Model for Building Technology Courses." Presented with co-authors Kate O’Connor, James Eckler, Miguel Calvo-Salve, and Belal Abboushi at AAE Conference, University of Westminster, UK, 2019.
  • "The Cabinet of Curiosity." Presented with co-writer Stefan Stanojevic at 35th National Conference on the Beginning Design Student, University of Colorado, Denver, 2019.
  • "Architecture + Kids." Presented at ACSA 106th Annual Meeting Conference, University of Colorado, Denver, 2018.
  • "From Students to Teachers: An In-depth Look at Design Students as They Embark on Teaching Architecture to Children." Presented at ARCC-EAAE 2018 International Conference, Temple University, Philadelphia, 2018.
  • "Innerspace: Inhabiting Human Proportions Through Digital Media." Presented at DCA Conference, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 2018.
  • "From Person to Place: Communicating the Human Form as a Precursor to Mapping." Presented at 34th National Conference on the Beginning Design Student, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, 2018.