Aira Valdez

She worked as a professional architect in the Philippines for four years before taking her Master’s Degree in Europe and the UK under an Erasmus+ scholarship programme. Her academic achievements include graduating with honours during her Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture and being awarded a Master’s Degree with distinction in Urban Climate and Sustainability. As a self-determined individual, she believes that there should be a proper balance between built and natural environment, leading her to her ultimate goal of providing a much more livable place without disrupting mother nature and the people’s way of living.

Suntrust Properties, Inc. - Project Architect - Supervisory Level - Jun 2018 - Jun 2019

Working as a project architect during the construction stage of a 30-storey mixed-use condominium based in Manila, I was part of a multidisciplinary team in charge of collaborating with engineers and contractors to ensure proper execution and compliance according to the contract design and specifications.

Key responsibilities

• Applying project management skills to assist on different trades, including structural, electrical, mechanical, and sanitary.
• In charge of arranging weekly site coordination meetings between contractors, subcontractors, and owners.
• Resolving architectural queries of contractors and ensuring that site works are consistent with the construction drawings.
• Preparing as-built drawings, carrying out regular inspections, and monitoring site progress against agreed deadlines.
• Inspecting program of works for repair, preparing punch lists of condominium units, and facilitating clients for viewings and final acceptance.

Stateland, Inc. - Design Architect - Supervisory Level - Jun 2017 - May 2018

Employed as a design architect of multiple horizontal residential properties in the provinces of Laguna and Cavite. Later in the project, I prepared intensive research for the conceptualisation and master planning of an 80-hectare raw land in Silang, Cavite.

Key responsibilities

• Discussing with the Department Head and Senior Management Committee regarding concepts and design schemes.
• Ensuring that construction plans, specifications, and contract documents are updated before endorsing to Contract Implementation and Administration Section for preparation of construction contract.
• Preparing plans, outlining material specifications, reviewing and inspecting the program of works for repair, and providing design schemes and concepts.
• Attending site coordination meetings to ensure compliance in accordance with the contract design and specifications.
• Conducting project inspections and quality control in ongoing house constructions and amenities.

WTA Architecture Design Studio - Senior Architect - Jul 2015 - May 2017

Starting as a junior architect in the company before getting promoted to a senior architect. I was appointed to several commercial, hospitality, residential, and mixed-use projects, wherein I developed conceptual designs and formulated design intents.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinating with the in-house project development team and consultant groups through regular meetings as part of the design management responsibility.
• Producing working drawings from the initial schematic phase to the final construction drawings, including site analyses, site development, planning, and conceptual collaboration with consultants.
• Collaborated with coworkers for the foundation of “Anthology: Architecture and Design Festival” 2016 and 2017.

Päijät-Häme Regional Council - Summer Intern - Jun 2020 - Aug 2020

I conducted intensive research on climate change adaptation strategies in Orimattila, Finland. Here, I mapped the current state of pedestrian and cycling conditions and the effects of urbanisation through geographical and spatial data analyses. I identified significant pedestrian and cycling routes that require prioritisation in the adaptation strategies. I also conducted a further study regarding suitable street infrastructure, furniture, and urban trees.

Freelance Projects

Between permanent roles, I have also worked on several freelance residential projects in the Philippines.

Key responsibilities

• Discussing clients’ requirements, from preliminary design concept to design development phase.
• Collaborating with clients regarding conceptual design development and renovation techniques.
• Developing working drawings from schematic to construction phase, conducting site visits and quality control, performing inspections, and post-processing of final design.

Major Projects

• Extension of Residential House in Calamba City, Laguna = May 2018 - Sep 2018
• Town House in Teacher’s Village, Quezon City = May 2017 - Dec 2017
• Renovation of Residential House in Maia Alta, Antipolo = Jun 2015 - Dec 2015
• Residential House in Binalonan, Pangasinan = Feb 2015 - Jun 2015

Master's Degree

MASTER IN URBAN CLIMATE AND SUSTAINABILITY (MUrCS) consortium awards three degrees:

• MSc in Sustainable Urban Environments - Glasgow Caledonian University - Sep 2019 - Oct 2021 - Scotland, UK 
• MEng in Urban Sustainability - LAB University of Applied Sciences - Jan 2020 - Nov 2021 - Lahti, Finland
• MSc in Environmental Technology - University of Huelva - Sep 2020 - Nov 2021 - Huelva, Spain 

• BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ARCHITECTURE - University of Santo Tomas - Graduated cum laude - 2010 - 2015 - Manila, Philippines