MICHELLE M RUMSA RA
Edgewater Resources LLC
SAY IT LOUD - MICHIGAN Exhibitor
Michigan Based Designer
Who or what inspires you professionally?
Makers inspire me. People of all cultures who create something that didn't exist. Makers can be any type of art, music, food, clothing or buildings, communities and places. As a curious lifetime learner, I'm fascinated by human creativity.
MICHELLE M RUMSA RA
Bio:
The great architect Michelle M Rumsa is a Michigan native, a licensed architect and Senior Architect for Edgewater Resources in St Joseph. Rumsa's projects include hospitality, commercial, municipal and residential design
As a volunteer advocate, Rumsa is past president of the ALA, MI chapter and participates at local middle and high school career days. Unaware of women role models in architecture as a student, Rumsa strives to be that example. She volunteers on local boards and at Habitat for Humanity. She is a mother, wife, pianist, and dog rescuer.
How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
My journey was a non-traditional path with a career in theater scene design followed by a Master of Architecture and study abroad in France I gained a deep appreciation for the interweaving of architecture, culture, language and history. I was hooked
What do you do?
I listen. I organize and prioritize ideas into uses, spaces and buildings from proposal to final completion and located at water fronts and marinas, for non-profits, private owners and municipalities with a variety of building uses, scales and types.
What excites you in the work you do?
Relationships. The collaboration of ideas that evolve together is significant. I look forward to the unique talents of team members, owners and professionals for each project from the beginning through the collective accomplishment of completion.
Who or what inspires you professionally?
Makers inspire me. People of all cultures who create something that didn't exist. Makers can be any type of art, music, food, clothing or buildings, communities and places. As a curious lifetime learner, I'm fascinated by human creativity.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
As architect for the Heritage Center. Sharing the design thru construction team process with a non-profit group of limited built experience, collectively resolving issues to develop solutions was rewarded in the outstanding success of the building.
Featured Project Name:
The Heritage Center at the Michigan Maritime Museum
Featured Project Location:
South Haven, Michigan
Featured Project Completion Date:
July 2022
Role in Featured Project:
Project Architect | Edgewater Resources Project Manager
Featured Project Description:
The Heritage Center is a 17,000 sf, two-story landmark, meeting shared community goals for inclusive, sustainable and accessible access to the waterfront. Thoughtful planning and visual character tell the story of the Great Lakes with exhibition spaces, an educational center, meeting rooms and event venue overlooking the harbor.
We provided design services of architecture, site/civil and marine engineering and landscape design and led the Design-Build construction team through final completion.
