Justin Banda Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il

My practice areas center on higher-ed, preK-12, and transit/commercial projects from early schematic design through design development and contract documents. Recent efforts include taking the lead on AIA contract-writing and project management efforts, including client maintenance, presentations, and interviews, leading BIM training for PMs, and drafting the first pass at a sustainability action plan for the company.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Managed and led a team that included the company’s Director of Marketing, Director of Business Development, two principals, and several other accountants and graphic designers. Contacted and coordinated dozens lecturers and panelists across three years, managed event planning and preparation, designed benchmark graphics, created and coded the event website and Eventbrite, and organized behind-the-scenes logisitics including site, catering, and vendors. Successfully managed implementation into the 2019 and 2021 editions of the Chicago Biennial Biennial and oversaw the transition to virtual during COVID years.

Springfield, Illinois, United States

As the inaugural Early Professionals Director for the AIA Illinois Board of Directors, I was appointed to help establish the role. This voting role was created to support and guide the Emerging Professionals Network, assist with showcasing the firm winners of the EP Friendly Firm Award through the Firmside Chats program, and develop long-term programs that reinforce the digital network of EPs across the state, while providing early career insights to the Board and support for the Student Director.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

As an Associate Director for AIA Chicago, my role on the the Board of Directors was to support the EXCOM and represent the interests and perspectives of unlicensed designers within the AIA community. As a board member, I served on the Advocacy, Membership, and Education Committees, with a personal goal of increasing involvement in advocacy and to help individuals within the AIA articulate the value of membership to their firms, while establishing a process for retention of institutional knowledge.

As YAF chair for AIA Chicago, my role was to work with local chapter membership and other Knowledge Community chairs to develop meaningful local programming for emerging professionals and young architects that resulted in increased AIA engagement across various strata, boosted professional development, and reinforced the local social network for EPs getting started in their careers.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

As YAF co-chair for AIA Chicago, my role was to support the working chair at the time to develop meaningful local programming for emerging professionals and young architects, schedule speakers and events, coordinate with other Knowledge Communities, and reinforce the local social network for EPs getting started in their careers.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

I support and guide the EP Network Executive Committee (as part of the Steering Committee) by working with a focused team to develop long-term programs that reinforce the digital network of EPs across the state of Illinois, while providing insight from and advocating for the local chapter as a representative.

Elgin, Il

I worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the School of Art, Design, and Architecture (SoADA) at Judson University, for two undergraduate classes: junior-level Digital Tools, and freshman-level Design Studio. Issisted the Digital Tools professor with class registry and headcounts each class, and taught class on several occasions in her absence. I also taught AutoCAD, Revit, and Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign to students. Part of my responsibilities included holding informal office hours where students came to ask additional follow-up questions and learn extra tools and tricks outside of class.

Des Plaines, Il

- Created technical drawings for construction documents and specification sheets in Revit, worked in a shared-file Revit network, and corrected redlined drawings. I also assisted with construction documents for prototype franchise buildings for clients like Chick-Fil-A. - Worked with project managers and principals on our design team to create complex 3D Revit models with which to produce construction documents for permit. - Interfaced directly with clients in order to produce cost-effective design solutions. - Occasionally hosted product representatives for small presentations and line updates, as well as updates to our design library. - Worked as a liaison to our other corporate client project teams, including GAP and Ulta, where I produced construction documents in AutoCAD.- Performed code and zoning research for corporate clients, and followed-up with calls to building departments and local municipalities.

Elgin, Il

Joined the Judson University AIAS chapter sophomore year as Director of Communications and helped organize a chapter revitalization, including a membership drive and new programming, which resulted in growing the chapter from four members to over two dozen in the space of two years. Returned as Graduate Representative in 2016.

Palatine, Il

Assisted the ALA with Young Architect (YA) initiatives and helped compile a database of contacts within the emerging professional community. I also created and manage the YA Facebook page and suggest improvements for the ALA website.

Michigan City, In

Converted drafting files from DataCAD 13 to AutoCAD 2013 and SketchUp 8, created basic plans, elevations, sections, and renderings in Podium 2.9. Assisted on site visits and measuring trips, and assisted in client meetings and served as reference for code citations.

Master Of Architecture (M.Arch.), Sustainable Design, Architecture

Activities and Societies: AIAS (American Institute of Architecture Students

Bachelor Of Arts In Architectural Studies (B.A.A.S.), Architecture

Activities and Societies: AIAS (American Institute of Architecture Students), JSO (Judson Student Organization)

Summer Training Program, Architecture

Summer architecture immersion and college-prep training program at UT-Austin. The program guided high school students through the process.