CYNTHIA
The most fulfilling project that I worked on was the community pocket park. It was my first project with Space 4 Art. Robert Leathers, architect and world-renowned park designer and builder, gave me the opportunity to be the on-site supervisor. I managed volunteers, high school students and the community on the building task of the Gilliam Family Community Space and Garden in Logan Heights of San Diego. Mr. Leathers was very particular to all of his construction methods, and therefore I had to understand, learn, practice and then teach it to the volunteers. With every new group or volunteer that came to help, I addressed the safety of the site, appropriate attire, how to communicate on the site, construction terminology and the big impact they were making on the community. The two most rewarding day-to-day experiences were speaking to students about the architecture of the tree house and amphitheater, and encouraging the young women to using power tools, and teaching that construction is also a skill that women shouldn’t be afraid to learn.
Gilliam Family Community Space and Garden
San Diego, CA
The most fulfilling project that I worked on was the community pocket park. It was my first project with Space 4 Art. Robert Leathers, architect and world-renowned park designer and builder, gave me the opportunity to be the on-site supervisor. I managed volunteers, high school students and the community on the building task of the Gilliam Family Community Space and Garden in Logan Heights of San Diego. Mr. Leathers was very particular to all of his construction methods, and therefore I had to understand, learn, practice and then teach it to the volunteers. With every new group or volunteer that came to help, I addressed the safety of the site, appropriate attire, how to communicate on the site, construction terminology and the big impact they were making on the community. The two most rewarding day-to-day experiences were speaking to students about the architecture of the tree house and amphitheater, and encouraging the young women to using power tools, and teaching that construction is also a skill that women shouldn’t be afraid to learn.
Above: Video clip explains the project. Center right: Intern and I cutting a custom piece. Bottom right: Students constructing the amphitheater.
Left: Floor plan of proposed park by Robert Leathers. Above: Avital Aboody (Park creator), myself, and two volunteering neighbors
Tiny Home Project: Affordable Artist Housing
San Diego, CA
The Tiny Home Project was a collaboration between Space 4 Art and High Tech High School, where ninth graders learned how to design and build tiny homes for local artists. Through this project I was an on-site supervisor in guiding the students in constructing the modular components. I delegated task to groups of students and showed construction tool use and safety. Day to day conversations with the students were very rewarding as we would discuss construction methods, materials, design, engineering and more importantly, architecture.
Left: Video clip of the Tiny Home project. Find me in the Neck Flap hat. At minute 1:11 I speak about the modular construction process. Above: Our intern and I working on the second floor of the Tiny Home.