By Sandra Gramley, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C and Naveen Waney, AIA
Introducing…two awesome new people at Platt/Whitelaw Architects!
We’re happy to welcome Project Coordinator Samantha Saltzman (Sam) and Intern Emad Abdulwajid to the Platt/Whitelaw team.
Sam earned her master’s degree from NewSchool of Architecture & Design in 2020 after graduating from Fordham University in New York City with a bachelor’s degree in Art History and Visual Arts. Currently, she’s pursuing the architectural licensing program through NCARB.
Before joining our team, Sam worked for several years designing accessory dwelling units. She’s got great experience mentoring and managing junior team members, coordinating with consultants and interfacing with clients. She’s also talented at organizing and multitasking.
Sam says she’s excited to tackle the broad range of public, education and civic architecture projects she’ll work on at Platt/Whitelaw.
Emad is earning his master’s degree in Architecture at NewSchool. He’s working with us through the IPAL fast-track to licensure program from NCARB. He’ll log work hours while still in school so that he can earn his architecture license more quickly.
Emad has a bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology from UC San Diego. Combined with his current pursuit of architecture, his science degree gives him insight into human wellness and how it relates to architecture. We think this is a great match for our architectural work in education, recreation, community health and places of worship!
Through a human-centered design course at UC San Diego, Emad developed a web platform to help seniors and COVID-affected individuals feel more connected. While working in collaboration with Design for America, he also helped create a mobile-assisted robot protype to help people with chronic pain.
Through his internship with our firm, Emad is getting hands-on experience with important architecture fundamentals like renderings, construction submittal reviews and materials assessment and selection.
Great people make for great work product and a great workplace. We’re happy to have found two more greats to add to our dynamic team.