Bio:
The great designer, Oswald works as a construction project manager in Manhattan with TDX Construction. His biggest accomplishment as a professional is the numerous college-aged people he has mentored before and after entering in the workforce. A strong believer in the growth mindset, Oswald curates a culture of continuous learning among his teammates. Oswald’s proudest construction project is CUSON (Columbia University School of Nursing). Outside of work, Oswald enjoys dancing, boxing, and soccer.

How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
John Alford was a black architect who volunteered for ACTSO (an NAACP sponsored academic competition). When I entered the competition, I got exposure to the profession by completing design project and shadowing John.

What do you do?
I am a construction manager. My team is usually responsible for managing the risk associated with coordinating teams of subcontractors and supply vendors to complete a building project on time, within budget, in a way that satisfies the client.

What excites you in the work you do?
I am excited about taking the beauty found in the designer’s imagination and channeling all my energy to make the vision a reality. It is a labor of love to see a finished space that wows the client.

Who or what inspires you professionally?
I am inspired by progressive AEC firms such as Autodesk, WeWork, and Katerra. These organizations push the boundaries of traditional construction and they a defining what construction in the 21st century looks like.

What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
My proudest professional accomplishment was completing CUSON (Columbia University School of Nursing) in 2017. CUSON was a difficult project due to time constraints and limited manpower. We delivered the building expeditiously and with a smile.

Featured Project Name: 
CUSON - Columbia University School of Nursing
 
Featured Project Location: 
168th St Washington Heights, New York
 
Featured Project Completion Date: 
Dec 2017

Role in Featured Project: 
Construction Project Manager (Interiors Project Manager)
 
Featured Project Description:The Columbia University School of Nursing is a state-of-the-art educational facility. The design focuses on creating a bright, welcoming pavilion that anchors the eastern edge of the medical center’s campus and offers students meaningful social connections internally while opening outwards to the neighboring community.  CUSON– (May 15- Dec 17) 90,000 SF, LEED Silver facility I Classrooms I Offices I Clinical simulation labs I Sunlit atrium lobby I Café I Event space I Rooftop Terrace I $52 MM

Photography Credit:
FXCollaborative, Frank Oudeman