MELANIE SHIELDS REDDRICK
Little Diversified Architectural Consulting
SAY IT LOUD - North Carolina Exhibitor
North Carolina Based Designer
Who or what inspires you professionally?
I really look up to Harvey Gantt, FAIA! He was the mayor of Charlotte when I was growing up, and he is also the designer of several spaces within the city that have deep meaning for me, including my childhood church (Friendship Missionary Baptist).
MELANIE SHIELDS REDDRICK
Bio:
The Great architect, Melanie reddrick is licensed architect/interior designer and a LEED Accredited Professional. I hold a Master of Architecture Degree from the University of Virginia and a BA in Architecture from UNC Charlotte. My varied professional experience includes work for public, private, local, and international clients in all phases of project development. I also have hands-on experience in higher education, serving as both an instructor (full and part-time) and administrator.
How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
I'm the daughter of an engineer and a teacher, so I grew up immersed in those fields! I love drawing and making things. My love for teaching is satisfied by my frequent stints as an adjunct lecturer at various institutions.
What do you do?
I am a project architect, so I immerse myself in all the details of project execution. I also have a special love for, and affinity in, Building Information Modeling as a craft, so I also enjoy coordinating the disciplines using BIM 360.
What excites you in the work you do?
Designing schools is a delightful way to impact children, their families, and the larger community. Schools are community assets and points of pride for neighborhoods, in addition to the practical role they serve in training the next generation.
Who or what inspires you professionally?
I really look up to Harvey Gantt, FAIA! He was the mayor of Charlotte when I was growing up, and he is also the designer of several spaces within the city that have deep meaning for me, including my childhood church (Friendship Missionary Baptist).
What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
My proudest professional accomplishment lies within the ambition and promise of my students. I am happiest when I see them succeed. I also take great joy and pride in serving as a mentor for young black women interested in this field.
Featured Project Name:
Shamrock Garden Elementary School
Featured Project Location:
NC
Featured Project Completion Date:
Summer 2022
Role in Featured Project:
Project Architect
Featured Project Description:
Shamrock Garden Elementary School is a 100,000 SF replacement school project located in the Plaza-Shamrock neighborhood of Charlotte. The three-story school serves K-5 students, and is designed to match the mid-century modern aesthetic of the surrounding neighborhood. Little partnered with Optima Engineering to deliver the construction documents, and with Rodgers Builders as the construction partners. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system is the second largest public school district in NC.
Photography Credit:
Renderings and Plans by Little Diversified Architectural Consulting
Featured Project Name:
Charlotte Country Day Natatorium and Gym
Featured Project Location:
NC
Featured Project Completion Date:
Summer 2022
Role in Featured Project:
Project Architect
Featured Project Description:
Charlotte Country Day’s Natatorium and Performance Gym reinforce the strengths of the campus experience and support a clear sense of campus organization, flow, edges, nodes, courtyards, and quads. The building design concept is focused on transparency, so that there are visual connections between the indoor venues of the natatorium and performance gym and views into the building from the campus spaces. The natatorium and performance gym seat 700 and 1200 spectators, respectively.
