ARLENNE GIL
DLR Group
AIA, NCARB
SAY IT LOUD - FLORIDA Exhibitor
Florida Based Designer
Who or what inspires you professionally?
Successful individuals who take the time to mentor and help lift those who come after them. I firmly believe that one should aways pay it forward and help others thrive.
ARLENNE GIL
Bio:
Born in Havana, Cuba, the Great Designer Arlenne Gil grew up in Orlando, Florida. Her interests include urban planning, community design, and historic preservation. She loves baking and decorating the treats she makes. As a Senior Project Architect, she leads from early client engagement and programming to construction documentation. She has taught graduate design at University of Florida - CityLab Orlando. Arlenne is passionate about volunteering, especially mentoring students and emerging professionals of diverse backgrounds.
How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
I grew up in one of the most eclectic cities in the world! Buildings and structures have fascinated me since childhood. In high school, I helped build theater sets. I enjoy designing the sense and feel of a place and how a person interacts with it.
What do you do?
I am a Senior Project Architect and Client Leader in Higher Education at DLR Group. I work with clients from the beginning of a project, mentor younger staff and help with initiatives in our firm. Most recently, I lead operations for our studio.
What excites you in the work you do?
Design is a puzzle. I enjoy problem-solving, especially with challenges that require thinking outside the box. There are many variables like space, time, cost, materials. It's so rewarding to bring it all together successfully.
Who or what inspires you professionally?
Successful individuals who take the time to mentor and help lift those who come after them. I firmly believe that one should aways pay it forward and help others thrive.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
Becoming a licensed architect; it's hard work! Being featured in the Orlando Sentinel as the Architect of the Cardboard Village of the World for FusionFest, a nonprofit festival celebrating all the cultures represented in Central Florida.
Featured Project Name:
University of Florida Institute of Black Culture (IBC) and Institute of Hispanic-Latino Cultures (IHLC/La Casita)
Featured Project Location:
Gainesville, Florida
Featured Project Completion Date:
November 15th, 2019
Role in Featured Project:
Project Architect (Group Effort)
Featured Project Description:
Transparency in visioning and programming is vital in building consensus between end users. Our team held biweekly meetings to ensure all voices were heard and valued, including a student advisory committee. IHLC stakeholders wanted a representation of rich colors typical in Latinx cultures. IBC stakeholders wanted "a symbol of social justice that looks to the future." Both LEED Gold designs reflect the unique cultures represented both inside and out, as informed by students, alumni, and staff.
