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Full name
Ben McGhee
Title
Development Director
Location
Seattle, WA
Blurb
freakitecture.com is the personal portfolio of a building lover
Biography
I decided I wanted to be an architect at the age of 8. After a career in architecture and real estate development, I've discovered it's more the development side that excites me. Bringing an idea into the built world, from conception to operation, that's where it's at for me. I've been doing just that for citizenM hotels for the past 7 years. It's given me every opportunity imaginable when it comes to the realities of hard-core real estate development. To make things even more exciting, I've worked exclusively on projects built using volumetric modules (think shipping container buildings). Try building a European product in China and stacking it up in California, not exactly for the faint of heart...
Experience
Director of Development
SideStreet
Offering full service real estate development services with an emphasis on marquee projects and volumetric modular delivery methods.
Project Director
citizenM Hotels
After successfully delivering citizenM's first two West Coast hotels as design and project manager, I've moved into the Project Director role. In this position I am responsible for all aspects of delivering a ground up RE asset, from entitlements through handover to operations.
West Coast Design and Project Manager
citizenM Hotels
Design and project management of citizenM’s West Coast expansion. Emphasis of the role is the product management and development of volumetric modular guestrooms; including onboarding new domestic and international modular fabricators. Responsible for simultaneously managing all internal stakeholders, external consultants, and contractors on multiple projects in multiple markets across the West Coast.
Architectural Designer
Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects
Had a great (albeit short) time working on a 1,200,000 sqft development for Vulcan while at ZGF.
Graduate Architect
Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf
Architectural designer for a large quantity and variety of projects. Design architect of several projects, including a 450 unit urban apartment complex. Also fulfilled roles as project manager.
Graduate Architect
A3design
Involved in all phases of the architectural process within a small architectural firm. Most projects were in the residential sector, from kitchen renovations to $30 million mixed-use developments. Majority of time spent developing schematic designs, creating presentation material and drafting CDs.
Education
MSc Architecture
TU Delft
MSc Architecture within the Chair of Methods and Analysis at TU Delft, the Netherlands. Graduation thesis was a study of the commons, particularly in relation to the South American condition. Ranked third in the world, TU Delft’s rigorous architecture program places equal focus on theoretical and technical aspects. Studied under Kees Kaan, Tom Avermaete, Klaske Havik, Jorge Mejia Hernandez, Michiel Riedijk, and others.
BSc Architecture
Ball State University
BSc in Architecture. Magna Cum Laude. Received the Henry Adams Medal of Honor for graduating at the top of my class. Presidential Scholar and Honors College graduate.
Skills
AutoCAD, Sketchup, Revit, V-ray, Rhino, InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator
Specialties
Conceptual Design, Residential Design, Commercial Design, Custom Detailing, Physical Models, Public Presentations
Awards
| 2012 |
Indianapolis Service Award
, AIA Indianpolis
For the creation and implementation of the 1x20 gallery show |
| 2011 |
Henry Adams Medal of Honor
, AIA
Ball State’s highest ranked graduate, class of 2011 |
| 2011 | Award of Merit, Best and Brightest , College of Architecture and Planning |