BAYA Annual Portfolio Review - SOLD OUT

The Annual Portfolio Review event, hosted in collaboration with the Bay Area Young Architects (BAYA), brings together students and emerging professionals for an evening of portfolio sharing and industry insights. BAYA is offering participants the chance to have their portfolios reviewed by experienced professionals in the architecture field, with valuable tips on how to build and present their work effectively. This event provides a fantastic opportunity to network, gain feedback on job application materials, and refine portfolios for future career opportunities. The evening will conclude with a Q&A panel featuring local industry leaders in architecture, offering additional guidance and insights for navigating the hiring process.

AGENDA

6:00 – 6:30: Networking

6:30 – 6:40: BAYA and Reviewers Intro

6:40 – 7:20: Group Review Session #1

7:20 – 8:00: Group Review Session #2

8:00 – 8:30: Q&A Discussion

REVIEWERS

Matt Adams, Associate Architect at Hamilton + Aitken Architects

Matt is a licensed architect in California and a native of San Francisco. He obtained his undergraduate degree in comparative sociology from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, and earned an MArch from California College of the Arts (CCA) in San Francisco. His experience covers a range of projects, including high-end residential, affordable multi-family housing, K-12 educational facilities, renovations of the SFO Terminal, and art galleries. In 2013, Matt was awarded the SFAIA Unbuilt Design Award for his senior thesis, which focused on redeveloping Islais Creek in the Dog Patch neighborhood of San Francisco. Previously, he worked in construction alongside his father, a general contractor, while drawing creative inspiration from his mother, an artist and singer with the San Francisco Opera. He lives in San Francisco with his wife, three-month-old son, three dogs, and a cat.

Cole McDonell, Designer III at 3North

From a young age, Cole has been drawn to creativity and curiosity, and he's thankful that architecture allows him to fuel that passion. He has ‘found a home’ in Residential architecture, where he feels honored to help clients realize their dreams by drawing their daily routines to the forefront. Cole finds his niche with a bi-coastal lifestyle, balancing the familial ties of Virginia with the alluring nature of California. He received his Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech. He is a licensed Architect and a member of the AIA.

Vasudha Maiya, Associate at Bull Stockwell Allen Architects

Vasudha Maiya is an Associate at Bull Stockwell Allen Architects, where she focuses on hospitality and residential mountain architecture. Previously, Vasudha practiced as a project architect in India and as a lecturer at San Jose State University, bringing in a broad range of knowledge and skills to her work.

Vasudha’s specialization in additive manufacturing for construction at UC Berkeley reflects her passion for merging innovative technologies with thoughtful design. As a LEED Green Associate, she is interested in environmentally conscious design and mindful use of materials in her work. She also leads Bull Stockwell Allen Architects' AI initiative, exploring efficient and innovative ways to integrate architecture and technology.

In her spare time, Vasudha channels her creativity into ceramic printing and draws inspiration from exploring beautiful landscapes.

Kayley Adams, Architectural Designer at Marmol Radziner

Kayley Adams is an architectural designer at Marmol Radziner. She is currently working on a major renovation project on single-family home in Tiburon and a new build in the Russian Hill neighborhood of San Francisco. She is originally from Indiana., and graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Animal Behavior and a Master’s in Architecture. She moved to San Francisco almost 3 years ago for work and lives with her boyfriend, Ti and their 1 year old Golden Retriever, Franny.

Brandon Nuckelt, Architectural Designer at MBH Architects

Brandon is the 2021-2025 AIASF Mentorship Knowledge Community Chair. He has served on 2023 AIASF Board as Associate Director Designate and is currently pursuing licensure in California. He is an active registered mentor with the ACE Mentor Program (Oakland) in 2023 & 2024. His expertise in digital design processes/fabrication and investigating innovative architectural assemblies, has been honed on projects varying from residences in Washington, D.C, and L.A. to international restaurant & retail design, as well as workplace, R & D and Biolab design and project management. With previous experience at design firms both large and small, and within the internal design teams of several notable companies (Tesla, Apple & Disney) he brings a well-rounded perspective of the ever-evolving practice of architecture, and a knowledge of opportunities and challenges facing emerging professionals today, to the AIASF Mentorship Knowledge Community.

Roland Lau, Associate Principal at Perkins Eastman

Roland has developed an expertise in putting documents together from the design through contract stage, and then carrying them through construction. But despite his focus and expertise in the more technical aspects of the profession, he has always been most passionate for design, where he believes architecture should be treated like art and poetry to elevate the experience of inhabiting space and place.

Roland is a champion for the mentorship program in the San Francisco studio and is also active in the AIASF Mentorship Committee. He believes that emerging professionals who take advantage of the program are contributing to the growth and strength of their own careers. Roland also helps run the architectural preparatory program hybrid classes for licensure at the AIASF. The classes are taught pro-bono by licensed architects and engineers from offices throughout the San Francisco Bay area.

Camille Lo, Architect at Van Meter Williams Pollack LLP

Camille attended California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and interned at Studio E Architects, Gensler, Future City Labs, and Heller Manus during her time as a student. After graduating in 2015, she worked at KTGY for 4 years repositioning under-utilized retail centers. Her appreciation for casual community-centric spaces grew while working on such projects. In 2019, Camille joined VMWP and broadened her experience into the affordable multifamily realm. She most recently completed Laurel at Perennial Park, a 55+ senior housing project in Santa Rosa, CA, and Verana Hill, 62 units of new family housing in Albany, CA.

Chris Lai,  Senior Brand Designer at Studio O+A

Chris strives to design with a purpose of solving problems for the client, telling a cohesive narrative, and connecting people to places.

They have a diverse skillset with a focus on visual communication and solving design problems in the 3D space with an analog artistic approach. Chris has nearly a decade of experience telling stories alongside interior and architects with projects covering industry spanning healthcare, hospitality and with a focus in workplace design. Their work can take the form of custom installation, graphic with architectural integration, exhibition, donor recognition, ceiling sculpture, graphic mural, specialty signage and wayfinding that lives with the built spaces.

Ellina Poltavtseva, Designer III at BCV Architecture and Interiors

A licensed architect in California, Ellina Poltavtseva was born in Yekaterinburg, Russia, and has called San Francisco home for over four years. She holds a Master of Advanced Architectural Design from UC Berkeley and a Bachelor's in Architecture from Moscow Architectural Institute. With over six years of international experience, she has contributed to renowned firms such as MAD Architects in Beijing and BCV Architecture and Interiors in San Francisco.

Ellina's work focuses on creating meaningful public spaces, museums, flagship stores, restaurants and innovation centers. Her designs emphasize cultural and environmental connections, storytelling, and nature-inspired aesthetics.

Jane Woywod, Designer at Clearstory

Jane Woywod is an Environmental Graphic Designer based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
She is passionate about design in the built space, and creating experiences that clarify and
enhance the world. With 6+ years of experience in wayfinding and placemaking, Jane’s work
spans the healthcare, civic, corporate and educational sectors. Her expertise includes
developing strategies for complex wayfinding systems, designing interpretive exhibits that tell
stories, and creating spaces that can act as an extension of a client’s brand.
Jane graduated from the University of Cincinnati in Ohio with a Bachelor of Science in Graphic
Communication Design.

SPONSOR PRESENTERS

David Miguelucci - 16500 Specification Sales Manager

Kai Jaffe – 16500 Specification Sales

16500 has been representing the world's leading lighting companies since 1998. Our team now includes more than 70 professionals who bring a wide range of experience and technical knowledge to every project. We've built a reputation for innovation, consistency and an extraordinary level of customer service. 

As seasoned industry experts, one of the most dramatic and exciting changes is that the traditional lighting mantra of bringing ideas to light has been replaced with total building solutions. It's not just about the lights anymore, it's about the total project. We work with architects, lighting consultants, electrical engineers, contractors, interior space planners, facilities managers and electrical distributors. We're helping these clients develop total lighting systems that are functional, beautiful and energy-efficient.