Margaret McCormick is an artist, writer and designer. She has experience working through the design process from initial sketching to final construction. Her previous work includes corporate/institutional design, academic writing, governmental construction and nonprofit architecture.
See below for CV and contact:
US State Department Overseas Building Operations - Construction Executive
January 2016- Present
Serving as a Foreign Service Specialist for the Department of State’s Overseas Building Office, this position involves acting as liaison between on-site work and headquarters in Washington: especially by managing a portfolio of Diplomatic Construction projects in Western and Eastern Europe. Work entails overseeing large scale construction through project controls, budget monitoring, documentation and ensuring on-time delivery of services. Additional work includes creating presentations for Ambassadors and Senior Management. As Construction Engineer, leads technical reviews on architectural, engineering and construction concerns, including establishing schedules, specification recommendations, order of magnitude analysis and drawing/value engineering reviews.
Freelance Design and Writing - Associate Architect/Designer
London, UK / New York, NY
Freelance design with a strong emphasis on aesthetic intent, sustainable practice and client satisfaction. Built work includes offices for Word Wizards Inc., The Washington Kitchen Gallery and several private family homes. Competition work includes the 2014 Bethnal Green Triumph Pavillion, the Life of An Architect Treehouse Competition and UN Mass Housing Completion. 2014.
Parsons Brinckerhoff - Associate Level Architect
New York, NY
October 2014 - January 2016
This position is a combination of technical evaluations, drafting, graphic design and corporate writing. Acting as a liaison between engineers, management and clients, the main responsibilities include presenting technical solutions for projects and bids clearly through presentations and write-ups, creating aesthetic packages for public distribution, overseeing junior staff and assisting the Project Managers as needed. Most projects are larger-scale infrastructure or conditions assessment initiatives budgeted at the multi-million dollar level. Was invited to the position at the conclusion of a six-month contract with Parsons Brinckerhoff/Ammann&Whitney (a joint venture) related to the New York City School Construction Authority (NYCSCA).
T-R-E-M-O-R-S Magazine - Editor of Architectural Submissions
London, UK/ New York, NY
October 2013-April 2014
Submissions Editor for T-R-E-M-O-R-S Magazine, a premier independent arts and design resource published in London with approximately 10K hits per online release. Hard-copy stockists include The Tate Modern, Foyles Bookstores, The Architectural Association Library and The Institute for Contemporary Art among others. Responsibilities include commissioning articles and illustrations, writing independent pieces, editing text and images, organizing interviews/photography sessions and publication development through social media.
General Services Administration, US Government - Projects & Building Manager
August 2009 - September 2012
Designed office space for the US Government and managed daily operation of Federal facilities in the Washington/Baltimore area. Other responsibilities included leading negotiation with contractors, construction management, selecting and ordering materials, balancing project budgets, writing accountability reports and ensuring timely delivery of services. Also served as a consultant for GSA legal departments and on-site responder for building emergencies.
See "Institutional Operations and Construction" for a list of relevant projects.
The International Design Clinic - Architectural Assistant & Professional Advisor
May 2009 - January 2011
Designed gallery exhibitions, established corporate donation standards and organized upcoming opportunities, including re-writing the business plan, creating public distribution information and designing all graphics for corporate sponsorship packages.
Philadelphia University - Teaching Assistant for the Department of Architecture
December 2007 - May 2009
Graded student assignments, arranged lecture presentations, organized research databases and provided individual tutoring as necessary. Also served as a critic for undergraduate design presentations associated with the following classes: “History of Art and Architecture I: Prehistory to the Fall of Rome”, “History of Art and Architecture IV: Modernism to the Present”.
See "Academic Research"
The Lighting Practice - Collegiate Design Assistant
May - August 2008
Created technical drawings and lighting calculations for ongoing projects, (including the United States Capitol Dome, high-end residential, commercial, etc.) arranged exterior and internal presentations, researched product information and provided recommendations for current and prospective clients.
See "Competitions" for similar examples.
Architectural Association School of Architecture - M.A. in History and Critical Thinking
September 2012 - October 2013
This selective masters program focuses on critical inquiries in architecture and their relation to contemporary practice. Using methods of writing and research, students participate in debates, design and public exhibitions.
See "Academic Research"
Philadelphia University - Bachelors of Architecture
August 2004 - May 2009
Thesis Topic: Adaptive Modulars & Peripatetic Prefabs: Design on the Frontier.
American University of Rome
August 2007 - January 2008
Area of Study: Renaissance, Baroque and Contemporary Design, Photography.
St. Joseph’s University
August 2003 – May 2004
Area of Study: Fine Arts and Ceramics
AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit, Rhino, Vectorworks, Adobe Suite Products, AGI 32 – Lighting Software, Google SketchUp, Hand Drafting, Contract Negotiation, Project/Construction Management, Drawing, Photography, Painting, Microsoft Office Applications
Awards and Volunteer Work
InExhibit Magazine Postcard Competition, Winner 2014
This global competition sought postcard designs for international museum. Sir John Soane's Museum was selected and won.
National Building Museum, Washington DC, CityVision Design Advisor and Teaching Assistant, 2014 - Present
Volunteer Teaching at the National Building Museum for a class of 30 middle-schoolers on design and drafting
Architectural Association School of Architecture, Thesis Distinction Recipient, 2014
This distinction is awarded to students whose Thesis submission received a grade of +80 (A+)
Art Exposure Incorporated, Featured Artist 2009-2013
“Featured Artists” work is exhibited at venues in Washington DC, Baltimore MD and New York, NY.
Peer Award Recipient, 6 times between 2009-2012
Awarded to individuals by their peers and supervisors to acknowledge excellence in government service.
Young Government Leaders: Baltimore Chapter, Founding Member 2010-2012
Founded a professional organization which provides community service and career development.
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Docent, 2010-2012
Led tour groups to explain the history of Maryland during the Basilica’s construction and its architecture. The Basilica is the first Cathedral built in the United States.
Habitat for Humanity Global Villages, Volunteer 2010
Trip sponsored a small village outside of Kaoma, Zambia for community outreach and hands-on construction.
Design with Light Competition, Winner 2009 & 2008
National competition which pairs architects and lighting engineers to create various designs.
Provost List 2007, Dean’s List 2003 & 2004
Awarded to students who achieve an extremely high grade point average for the term.