Associate Architect

• Feb 2023 - Present

As I start a new role as an Associate with Paul Halajian Architects, I want to acknowledge my outstanding colleagues, past and present. To practice with a dedicated and high performing team helps drive me to give my best to our work each day. It is an honor to have designed some exceptional buildings, spaces, places and campuses with each of you and I look forward to designing and building more outstanding work together with each of you.Starting from a space hardly enough for four to an award winning studio of sixteen, with architects, interior designers and a support team, I consider it a privilege to be a part of the growth and leadership of this our practice.Heartfelt and a major thank you to the amazing clients from across the Central Valley, from San Francisco to Bakersfield, for your trust and your partnership. I love to learn about what each of you do, how your universities, colleges, businesses, organizations and cultures operate and how we can craft architectural solutions to enhance what each of you do.Here are some of my favorite photographs, renderings, details and diagrams…..some built, some ideas, but all done with care and are unique to the people and the context. That’s how we practice at PHA! Show less

Architect

• May 2012 - Mar 2023

As a firm, as well as personally, our focus is on the client and the process. What this means is that I utilize communication tools and skills in defining shared values early on that will define success for our project together. Once there is a relatively clear set of shared values, the ideas, designs, precedent studies, budgets and metrics begin and we together evaluate the direction we move. In doing so equal energy and rigor are applied to the development of core ideas as are applied to detailing assemblies for construction efficiency.I take pride in applying a creative thought process to all aspects of my work. Typical range of responsibilities include:Ideation - Core Design ObjectivesResearchProgrammingConceptual DesignSchematic Design - Drawing/Modeling/Rendering & GraphicsBuilding Material Research/AnalysisBudget EvaluationDesign Alternatives/Value EngineeringConstruction Documentation/Drawing/DetailingSpecifications/SchedulesEntitlements/PermitsConstruction Administration Show less

Adjunct Faculty

• Aug 2018 - Present

Adjunct Faculty, Architecture Department

• Sep 2014 - Jul 2016

Digital Modeling and Animation - Maya Emphasis on design and creative process, diagramming and representation of ideas within the digital environment. Workshops are built into the semester when students learn 3d Printing [Makerbot], Representational Techniques [Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign] and Presentation Techniques [pin-ups and studio critique style presentations]. Courses Taught: Architectural Design, Graphic Design, Digital Modeling, and Digital Animation Digital Modeling and Animation - Maya Emphasis on design and creative process, diagramming and representation of ideas within the digital environment. Workshops are built into the semester when students learn 3d Printing [Makerbot], Representational Techniques [Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign] and Presentation Techniques [pin-ups and studio critique style presentations]. Courses Taught: Architectural Design, Graphic Design, Digital Modeling, and Digital Animation

Design Director

• Oct 2009 - Mar 2012

Shaunt’s primary interest is space and how the spaces around us impact our behavior, emotions and efficiency. His interest is driven by the fact that space has been, and will always be a fundamental need of mankind. His work, research and design experimentation in the fields of architecture, urban design and human behavior are focused on enhancing the relationship between man and space. With over 10 years of experience working on broad range projects, shaunt has learned that there are two primary factors with each project that bring him the greatest reward: satisfying the client’s programmatic/spatial needs and seeking opportunities for creativity. His experience is diverse, ranging from multistory mixed-use projects throughout los angeles to higher education facilities throughout the california state university system. He spent several years working with the community redevelopment agencies of Los Angeles, Glendale and Long Beach on neighborhood improvement projects and historic preservation projects. He has a thorough understanding of all phases of the architectural process and recognizes the value of a collaborative design process in which the client, architect, engineers and builders all play an active role. Shaunt strives to integrate this workflow model into our projects at spacio|design as a means of delivering high-quality architecture, ensuring client satisfaction and instilling owner-pride in design. Shaunt graduated with degrees in Urban & Regional Planning from CSU-Pomona [Bachelor’s ‘04] and Architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture [March ‘06]. He maintains an active role as an alumnus of both schools and frequently participates in student mentorship activities, workshops, portfolio critiques and juries. He contributes articles to several architecture and design publications and is both a regular contributor and active collaborator in archop [www.archop.org]. Show less

Knowledge Scholar - AIA National

• Jul 2011 - Nov 2011

Awarded AIA National scholarship on behalf of the Knowledge Community established to advance coverage of and exposure to Project Delivery for our national membership. Attended 72nd Annual Texas Society of Architects Convention in Dallas, Texas. At this convention, experts from around the US presented on new and innovative project delivery methods. My role included writing articles about these presentations, their ideas and experiences with alternate project delivery methods. My work included broadcasting information to a larger internet and print audiences about alternate delivery methods through online forums and peer review articles. Speakers include Geoffrey Sticker, Edgemoor Real Estate; Corbin van Arsdale, AGC Texas Building Branch; Peter Gluck, Architect Peter Gluck and Partners; Betsy del Monte, Beck Group; Michael Czap, RTKL; Carlos Cardoso, Beyer Blinder Belle Architects. Show less

Architect

• Oct 2006 - Oct 2009

Award winning architecture and engineering practice with a focus on delivering high quality environments through expertise in design, technology and client service. Emerging as the premier firm in the territory between Southern California and the bay area. Portfolio includes multiple LEED facilities, awarded K-12 projects, California State University and University of California projects, private education and industrial facilities. Experience is predominantly with academic & athletic facilities on several California State University campuses, University of California campuses and private sector commercial and mixed-use projects in urbanized cores. Responsibilities include taking projects from feasibility and conceptual design through to production drawings, entitlements and construction administration. Projects include $8 million Aquatics Center at CSUF, $10 million expansion to Satellite Student Union at CSUF, Humanities Building at CSUB, Multi-Story Science and Laboratory expansion projects for NIH Grant Funding and various minor-capital projects on CSUF, CSUB and UCSF campuses. Show less

Designer

• Apr 2004 - Apr 2005

Experience was predominantly with CDBG funded Community Redevelopment Agency urban renewal projects across several regions of Los Angeles: CRA Los Angeles CRA Long Beach CRA Glendale CRA Pasadena CRA Highland Park. Worked with the Redevelopment Agencies on corridor redevelopment projects ranging from historic preservation & renovation to large scale facade improvement projects. Responsibilities included community outreach, historic building/neighborhood analysis, organize community charettes, public design presentations, meet with owners/tenants, conceptual design through construction administration with principal architect. Show less

NCARB Intern

• Jan 2004 - Apr 2004

As a Student Intern I had an opportunity to gain valuable experience in a firm with a social conscience and a commitment to improving the urban core of the areas in Los Angeles we had the opportunity to work. Worked with Principal Architect Roland Wiley on LAWA Airport Projects and inner city Urban Infill Projects. In a short time I experienced a firm that had a collaborative studio environment with Architecture, Interior Design, Planning and Development experts in-house. The first firm I can say understood the conceptual and design element of our profession as well as the development and proforma based elements that are critical to seeing the work be realized. Responsibilities included working on various stages of construction documents, site visits for record drawing documentation and presentation graphics. Show less

NCARB Intern

• Apr 2002 - Jan 2004

Specialize in healthcare architecture. Produce record drawings, construction documents. Coordinate applications, correspondence, plan-check revisions with O.S.H.P.D. and city departments. Log and respond to R.F.I., R.F.C. and change orders under the direction of project architect. Maintain 2,000-piece CSI library and facilitate seminars with trade related companies. Specialize in healthcare architecture. Produce record drawings, construction documents. Coordinate applications, correspondence, plan-check revisions with O.S.H.P.D. and city departments. Log and respond to R.F.I., R.F.C. and change orders under the direction of project architect. Maintain 2,000-piece CSI library and facilitate seminars with trade related companies.