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CSI is built on people who are curious, collaborative, and committed to doing great work. In this new member Q&A, we’re introducing one of the newest faces in the CSI community and sharing his experiences and how CSI membership is helping him grow. Meet Nicolas Lamoureux.
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How did you become a professional in the AECO industry, and do you have any specific projects you have worked on or are working on that you would like to share?
My path to becoming a professional in the AECO industry was meandering. I started working for a general contractor and then became an architectural technologist, and then worked through my B.Sc. in Architecture and finished by completing my M.Arch degree all while working full-time. I was fortunate that there were some online options that allowed me to work while in school, earning degrees through Athabasca University in Alberta, Canada, and Lawrence Technological University in Michigan. Now, I’m a licensed architect in the province of Ontario and in the states of Michigan, Ohio, and Florida. I am currently working for a small firm in Detroit, Michigan called SDG Associates, LLC, and I run a sole proprietorship in Windsor, Ontario called Atelier Lamoureux.
At SDG Associates, LLC, I am working as part of a team on the Henry Ford Hospital expansion, designing the pedestrian bridges connecting the new hospital to the existing hospital buildings. I am also working on two new schools for the Detroit Public Schools Community District and several small projects through a program called Motor City Match in Detroit. At Atelier Lamoureux, I have worked on several community-based non-profit projects as well as some residential work.
What does a “typical” week look like for you?
A “typical” week for me involves traveling through the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel and crossing an international border every day. Working in Detroit and living in Windsor has allowed me to experience and help shape architecture on both sides of the border. Beyond that, I am heavily involved with several non-profit boards in Windsor that I dedicate time to every week. I am on the board for the Welcome Centre Shelter for Women & Families, the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO) and the Windsor / Essex branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, as well as the planning committee for the Windsor-Essex Jane’s Walk festival.
What do you enjoy the most about working in the AECO industry?
I enjoy the problem-solving aspect of working in the AECO industry the most. Constantly learning and adapting to situations that require complexity and problem-solving means that most of my days are unique.
What inspired you to join CSI, and how do you think being a member can help you reach your professional goals?
I want to further my career by learning more about specifications to ensure that my architectural work is as aligned with my beliefs as possible. I think specifications can create more sustainable, durable, life-cycle conscious, and carbon-neutral work, and CSI fits that gap in my learning process, so I decided to join. I think learning from others in CSI and through their resources will allow me to reach my professional goals.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
I’ve found that only learning about architecture can be quite limiting, so I do try to step outside of the architectural world as frequently as possible. I am really enjoying pottery classes and learning about hand building and wheel throwing.
Learn more about CSI membership and benefits by clicking here.