Maxine Ward, 2015

Born and raised in Northern Ireland, Maxine received her architectural education in Edinburgh, Scotland. There, she was awarded a prestigious scholarship, which brought her to the United States as a student and intern architect.

Maxine’s early work with the multi-disciplinary firm Graven Images left a lasting impression in her holistic approach to design, considering all aspects from architecture to interiors to graphics and branding and their collective impact. Through her later work in the realm of affordable housing, Maxine’s architectural philosophy was shaped by the belief that design can make a difference on quality of life and should be accessible to all.

Her diverse background as an architect includes more than 15 years of professional practice with architectural firms in the United States and United Kingdom, in all phases of various public project types, from programming to construction administration, from schools to libraries. With a design philosophy focused on finding value, Maxine endeavors to find thoughtful responses to the needs of the client and user.

As an associate at Studio E Architects, Maxine is an integral part of the firm’s leadership and works in close collaboration with design principals Eric Naslund, FAIA and John Sheehan, AIA. She provides a critical voice in the design and detailing of many of the firm’s significant projects.

Maxine has served as Project Architect on high-profile projects, including multiple charter schools and sizable projects on university campuses in San Diego and Davis. Most notable has been her work with High Tech High Learning, with whom she designed and built three charter schools at two campuses within six years. Her varied body of work with Studio E Architects includes schools, mixed-use, multi-family and high-rise housing and and can be viewed in the attached exhibits.

Maxine has always had a strong commitment towards the architectural community and their impact on the greater community at large. As a graduate in Glasgow, Scotland, she was part of the city-wide, public education initiative of Glasgow 1999, UK City of Architecture and Design. This planted the seed of public engagement and the importance of a public understanding and awareness of architecture and design.

The seed has flourished during her 10-year involvement with the San Diego Architectural Foundation, an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization, whose mission is to to educate and promote outstanding architecture, planning, and urban design throughout the San Diego region. In her 3 years as President of SDAF, she has developed into a passionate leader and spokesperson for the value of design.

Matthew Geaman, 2016

Matthew Geaman is an exceptional architect and respected leader in the profession who has accomplished a great deal in a short time. His service to his firm, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) San Diego, AIA California Council, and community groups such as the La Jolla Music Society and the San Diego Architectural Foundation has set high standards for the profession. While attending the University of Illinois, Geaman was inducted into the Gargoyle Architecture Honor Society, an academically elite group of students who demonstrate an uncommon degree of scholarship and excellence. He earned a Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies (with High Honors). He then worked in Chicago for 4 years. Geaman moved to California and joined Joseph Wong Design Associates (JWDA) in 2008 as an intern. His passion and expertise was noticed immediately and while still an intern, the firm entrusted him with complete oversight of the design and construction of the San Diego Community College District’s North City Campus. Completed in 2013, the project is one of the firm’s most successful buildings, architecturally and technically, in its 39-year history according to founder Joseph Wong, FAIA. Despite the rigor of managing this and several other projects, Geaman simultaneously completed the Architectural Registration Exams, became a Licensed Architect in Illinois and California, achieved NCARB certification, and led the firm’s implementation/transition from utilizing AutoCAD to utilizing BIM. In 2011, he led JWDA’s winning RFP response effort to secure the $32 million San Diego Mesa College Social and Behavioral Science Building. He has risen through the ranks at JWDA at an unprecedented pace by showing outstanding skill and commitment to the highest quality design, construction and client relations. In 2014 he was elevated to Associate Principal of the firm and is currently the youngest Associate Principal in the 40-person firm by nearly two decades. In addition to Geaman’s leadership at JWDA, industry related volunteer leadership has been the trademark of his time in California. In 2012, on behalf of AIA San Diego, Geaman applied for and was awarded a $2,500 Leadership Grant from AIA National and then single-handedly organized the 2012 AIA San Diego Mayoral Candidates Debate that occurred on October 15, 2012. The Debate forced the candidates, Carl DeMaio and Bob Filner to take positions on issues such as long range planning, green building, land use policy, and community group involvement that had not otherwise been addressed in campaign venues and that significantly impact the design and construction industry and community at large. The event strengthened the leadership status of the AIA and architects in general within the community. After serving on various AIASD Committees, Geaman was elected Vice President / President-elect of the AIASD in 2013, and Chapter President in 2014. He also served on the AIACC Board of Directors and the AIACC Planning and Finance Committee from 2013-2015. In short, Matthew Geaman has set high standards for the industry. The highlighted contributions in this submittal are a few of the many examples of his personal engagement in the advancement of the profession and community at large.

Marin Gertler, 2017

Marin Gertler is a Design Director & Architect with Gensler’s San Diego office. Marin was born in Annapolis, Maryland to American / Canadian / Scottish parents who relocated to Switzerland and then France when Marin was five years old. Marin returned stateside at the age of eighteen to study Architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). After graduating in 2005 with a B.F.A and B.Arch., he relocated to San Diego with his wife, Rocio Lastras De Gertler, a landscape architect from Mexico, to work for the design firm Safdie Rabines Architects. Key contributions at SRA include; the award winning UCLA South Campus Student Center, Mercado Del Barrio & the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge.

Marin is passionate about the intersection of the public and private work in complex urban environments and has made this the focus of his work. Since joining Gensler, Marin has become an office leader for mixed-use and the Southwest Regional leader for the residential practice area. He has led the design for a wide range of projects including; Mesa College Center for Business and Technology, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, IDEA1 , Heights of Del Mar, Music Box (formally known as Anthology) & most recently Fifth Ave Landing.

Outside of work, Marin is a mentor in the industry. Within the higher education community, Marin has lectured at the USD graduate developer program and has co-taught a design studio for a semester as an adjunct professor at the New School of Architecture, which focused on analyzing and repurposing existing structures. Marin is a leader with the ULI; he is a member of the Residential Council, a board member of the Young Leaders Committee and a co-chair for the Partnership Forum Groups. Marin was also hand-picked to partake in the 2015 ULI TAP program, which focused on a TOD in city Heights.

He serves with the Downtown SD Partnership, a not for profit that sponsors programs that enhance the public realm. He was requested as the design juror for a selection committee for the Downtown PopShops project, which installs art and retail kiosks across 14 locations to stimulate challenging spaces. He is also a key member of the Arts and Culture task force and identified the tactical urbanism project the group opted to focus on this year, “E-Street” Live. He is regularly featured in industry publications including Hospitality Design, which highlighted his Music Box project. Another key project Marin directed, 5th Avenue Landing, was recently featured in the San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Business Journal and several other publications. Marin is also panelist and writer for San Diego UrbDeZine, a national blog for urban design & Planning.

Besides his dedicated career, Marin manages to find quality time with his two young children and his wife Rocio Lastras De Gertler. In 2013, Marin helped Rocio found LDG Landscape Architects, a thriving seven person boutique landscape architecture firm focused on innovative urban spaces.

Philip Auchettl, 2018

Philip Auchettl, AIA is the CEO of RAD LAB, and President of Quartyard. Originally from outside of Melbourne, Australia, he graduated with a Master’s Degree in Architecture from The NewSchool of Architecture & Design, achieving the level of summa cum laude, and is now based in San Diego. RAD LAB has emerged as a powerful leader in social design and is sought after both nationally and internationally for its exceptional approach on tactical urbanism architecture and design. Auchettl has a strong background in senior management, design, and development, and is an accomplished leader in the San Diego community. 

Jared Basler, 2018

Jared Basler, AIA is a San Diego native, holding an architectural license in Georgia, NCARB certified, and is currently working toward reciprocity in California. Basler graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from The NewSchool of Architecture & Design. Basler has remained engaged in local and state policy while building a specialty firm focused on providing expertise on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) for homeowners, industry and government alike. His advocacy has had a significant impact on local and state policies involving ADUs. Jared is the owner of Basis Studio and is known throughout the state as The Godfather of Granny Flats. 

Anthony Damon, 2019

Anthony Damon, architect and Chief Operating Officer at Jeff Katz Architecture, sees himself as a public servant who has focused his efforts on public works and public-safety buildings such as parks, libraries, and fire stations, having completed more than 30 projects of that typology thus far in his short career.  He is a nationally recognized expert on Fire Station and Public Safety Design, with local work including the Fairbanks Ranch Fire Station in Rancho Santa Fe.   

Anthony is an advocate for the advancement of emerging professionals and relies on his passion for design and con-struction to propel his mentorship opportunities. For more than 15 years, Anthony has supported the ACE Mentor program, which inspires and encourages high school students to pursue careers in Architecture, Construction, and Engineering. In addition to serving as treasurer of the ACE Mentor San Diego board, Anthony has participated on the boards of NCARB, USGBC, AIA San Diego, and Southwest High School’s Eco-Engineering Academy Board of Directors.