Laura Carr holds a BArch from the University of Arizona (2005) and a BS in Mathematics from Northern Arizona University (1996).  Laura concentrated her academic and intern work in the development of socially responsive, sustainable design that works in harmony with the Sonoran desert.  This effort has been facilitated by experiences including participation in the Housing Design Studio under Professor Corky Poster, independent study in Sustainable Housing Revitalization under Professor Mary Hardin, research with The House Energy Doctor under Professor Nader Chalfoun, and a one-year term of service with Native Americans for Community Action (NACA) through the AmeriCorps program (1997). Academic awards in the field of architecture include the AIA National Scholarship (2003, 2004), the Hershberger Travel Study Grant (2003), the Roy Drachman Scholarship for Academic Excellence (2003, 2004, 2005), the Nicholas G. Sakellar Scholarship for Environmental Design Excellence (2004) and the AIA Certificate of Merit for Academic Distinction (2005). Laura was also awarded the College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture’s Capstone Award for her work on an infill project in the Empowerment Zone of Tucson (2005). In 2005, Laura was appointed to a full time position with the Drachman Institute where she worked with communities throughout the state in the development of affordable housing and sustainable community planning.  During this time, Laura was part of two HUD grants studying affordable housing, community health and sustainability in the Empowerment Zone in Tucson, Arizona.  Additionally, Laura was a project manager overseeing work in Drachman’s Architecture Technical Assistance program where she managed, directed and coordinated student work. Projects included a subdivision plan for the Town of Marana, a travel plaza and village master plan for Sipaulovi (Hopi Nation), a master plan and housing designs for Yomme Barrio Libre (Pascua Yaqui), a travel plaza for Shonto (Navajo Nation), a mobile replacement house design for CHRPA and infill housing designs for Phoenix Revitalization Corporation.  Laura also worked through Drachman in partnership with the City of Tucson to develop overlay zones for neighborhoods near the University. Laura was also part of team that worked to establish the Drachman Design+Build Coalition (DDBC), which became incorporated in 2006. Work included construction documents for Residence One a rammed earth and steel frame house completed in 2005, coordination and marketing for The Nice House a modular steel frame house constructed in partnership with Tucson Habitat for Humanity. Work has also included participation in the Lessons from Civano grant, including analyzing research conducted at Civano in order to understand what active and passive energy and water conserving methods were most successful at this model green community. Study included analyzing orientation, micro and macro climates, construction methods and materials. This study then informed the design of five low-income homes using either insulated shell or thermal mass construction designed to preform on ‘typical’ city infill lots.  The most significant work Laura did with the Drachman Institute was in partnership with the Arizona Department of Housing, where Laura provided technical assistance to clients of ADOH. Work included designing master plans, housing and conducting housing assessments throughout the state and on tribal lands. Projects include a mixed use master plan in Shonto (won the 2006 Governor’s Office Housing Hero Award in Sustainable Community Design), housing assessments for Globe, Miami, Holbrook, Showlow, Patagonia and Winslow and a multi-family infill housing design for Payson Habitat for Humanity. In 2007, Laura left Drachman Institute and joined Taylor Design Build (TDB), and focused on designing residential projects suited for inhabitation in the Sonoran desert.  This continued into 2009 when the recession eventually forced the close of TDB.  During this time work in architecture was scarce, so Laura started a small company in Washington, DC selling handmade goods, and the business led to travels around the country selling at art and craft markets.  After about a year, Laura settled in Phoenix and accepted a position as the Community Outreach Specialist for Recreational Equipment Incorporated (REI).   Laura worked to facilitate volunteer activities and outdoor education classes and in 2012, won the Anderson Award for her contributions.  In 2012 Laura was recruited by the company GoLite, a B-Corp founded in Boulder, Colorado.  GoLite designed and manufactured thier own line of outdoor clothing and gear, and wanted to open retail stores to sell directly to the public.  With a background in design and community outreach, GoLite hired Laura to design an outreach & marketing program, and to coordinate the effort with branding and merchandising for the new stores.  A small company often requires its members to wear many hats, and so to keep pace, Laura also managed one of the retail locations. The architecture market eventually bounced back, and in 2012 Laura took a contracted position with Nelsen Partners in Scottsdale, and that eventually led to a full time design position with the company.  With Nelsen Partners, Laura worked on many notable projects including 6 Restoration Hardware galleries (completed locations in Atlanta, Austin, Leawood, Seattle, Denver & Scottsdale), a condominium and hotel development with Kukui’ula (Kauai), The Shoeman Lane Office Building (Scottsdale), The Palmeraie (Paradise Valley), The Ritz Carlton Restaurant (Paradise Valley), and The Villas and Retail Master Plan of Bahrain (Al Raffah, Bahrain).  Having the experience and desire to work projects in design and in production, Laura holds two positions with Nelsen Partners - one as a project designer and one as a project architect. Previous professional teaching experience includes teaching undergraduate mathematics at Coconino Community College (1996-2000) and Foundation Studio at the College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture in 2008.  Currently, Laura is teaching studio and courses in the professional practice stream at the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture at University of Arizona.