History, WHAA Architect

Glenda Puente, AIA

Architect, Adjunct Faculty at Florida International University and Chapter President at Docomomo Florida Glenda Puente, AIA, is a Miami-based architect, educator and writer. She holds a Master’s degree in Architecture from the University of Florida (Alpha Rho Chi Medal 2011), including studies in France, Mexico and Italy. Born and raised in Ecuador, Glenda dedicated her graduate studies to the subject of Latin American
Modernism with a focus on adaptive reuse and the Modern Movement in Quito.

Currently, Glenda is Adjunct Faculty at Florida International University School of Architecture, where she teaches graduate level architectural design studios and has participated in FIU by Design, a professional services unit within FIU SoA.

Glenda is also Chapter President of DOCOMOMO US / Florida, and previously a Project Architect at Glavovic Studio, an innovative and award winning architecture, art and urban design firm, where she has worked on residential, adaptive reuse and commercial architecture projects, as well as interior design, wayfinding, product
design, master planning and exhibit curation. Glenda is also the US Coordinator for the Bienal Panamericana de Arquitectura de Quito (BAQ), has written for
Curbed Miami, Plataforma Arquitectura, Br Magazine and Un dia una arquitecta.

Recently, Glenda was elected to AIA Florida’s Citizen Architect Class of 2017 for
playing an important role in shaping Florida communities through public service.

Nicholas “Whitey” Lowe

Earned the AIA’s prestigious Bronze Medal while at the University of Florida in 2011, the state’s highest recognition for a non-licensed architect. Subsequent to graduation, Whitey provided designs and construction documents for some of Florida’s most-awarded firms.

As an advocate for a digital approach in architecture, Whitey serves as the firm’s Technical Director.

Cristina Gomez

Cristina Gomez, NCARB is a current Masters of Architecture candidate at Florida International University’s school of Communication, Architecture + Arts. In 2015, Cristina was the school’s BEA scholarship recipient. As part of her pedagogy towards State licensure as an architect, Cristina interns as a Design Director at WHAA.

Cristina’s experience in architecture is extraordinary. Her first project at WHAA consisted of a 4-level, 21,000 sq.ft. threshold building with subterranean construction. Cristina’s 2nd project at the firm realized a 2-level, 4,000 sq.ft. multi-family building near FIU; called Florida International House, a project designed to promote affordability in one of the County’s most income-diverse neighborhoods. Cristina’s current projects extend beyond multi-family into restaurants, retail, hospitality and manufacturing.

Yailyn Barrera

A Masters of Architecture candidate at Florida International University’s school of Communication, Architecture + Arts. As part of her pedagogy towards licenseship, Yailyn serves as an intern draftsperson.

Daniel C. Tabet

Daniel Tabet graduated from Florida International University’s school of Communication, Architecture + Arts in 2018. Daniel’s recognition in the BEA gallery is extensive, having multiple designs placed in exhibit. Daniel’s most noticeable for his work on affordable housing to maximize use of lot space (within zoning code: R-1 of Miami 21).

Later on, he was permitted to showcase his work with the Bake-House art complex inside of its main gallery. As time progresses, he is continuing to work on different designs. Some of his installations include a remote salon built for Fat-Village art walk in Ft. Lauderdale. And design layout and construction of the Borscht Film festival in Miami (2015). Most recently, Daniel was selected as the recipient of the 2017 Ratcliffe Research Grant. The grant was awarded for his research into a material sequencing algorithm that analyses loading conditions and creates a skeletal structure to reduce mass and optimize dispersion.loading conditions and creates a skeletal structure to reduce mass and optimize dispersion.

Marjorie Carrillo, AIA, NCARB

Marjorie Carrillo is a licensed architect in Florida, New York and Pennsylvania.

Marjorie graduated with Masters in Architecture from the University of Florida in 2009 with another bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Italian Literature, and Culture. Marjorie’s experience in development is extensive. Her previous work in high-rise residential buildings, boutique hotels, large-scale hospitality projects and resorts ranged from both the high-end luxury sector to workforce and attainable housing. Marjorie serves as an Associate at WHAA.

Marjorie conducts social and historical research, and presented a feasibility study package for the construction a women’s textile training facility in Indonesia specializing in the preservation of Batik, a UNESCO recognized cultural heritage tradition of textile patterning and dyeing by hand.

Marjorie’s enthusiasm for economic inclusivity and women’s development around the world prompted her to collaborate with Build-a-Nest©, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization focusing on providing women with a source of livelihood beyond factory work.

Marjorie’s interest in world economics and sustainable design inspired her thesis “Utilization of fast growing renewable materials and innovation on local vernacular building traditions as a platform for providing sustainable and affordable housing to the growing emerging urban middle class” taking place in Lima, Peru. Marjorie is an avid linguist and traveler― having lived and worked in Italy as a teacher and translator prior to her commencement in architecture.

William H. Arthur IV, AIA, NCARB

William H. Arthur IV, AIA, NCARB graduated summa cum laude from the University of Florida and earned the AIA Henry Adams Gold Medal in 2011. William has worked in design, construction and planning in South Florida for more than 17 years, often in collaboration with his family’s practice in Architecture.

William seeks to design from a perspective that is both Culturally and Historically-Minded. Since 2009, William began to collect and catalog his grandfather’s early works, familiarizing himself with his heritage of fine Architecture and design.
Finding merit not only the constructions that he studied, but also their impact on the people who utilize them, William developed a sense of obligation to Miami and the unique architecture that formed it.

Since 2008, William has examined how buildings function with or without the use of air-conditioning, in both Miami and Havana, Cuba using a special travel license granted to him by the U.S. Treasury department. William continues to build upon the practices and techniques learned from this rare opportunity to utilize the local government as an asset rather than a challenge, and is invited return to Havana, Cuba annually to participate in an Urban Design Charrette hosted by local architects and city staff.

William currently serves as lecturer at Florida International University, critic at the University of Florida and is occasionally cited in newspapers and articles around the world.

Three (3) academic projects designed by William have received State AIA awards and in 2010,
William received a teaching award from the University of Florida citing his extraordinary contribution to the school’s teaching mission.

Heather J. Johnson

Heather J. Johnson is a Masters of Accounting candidate at the University of Miami. Heather serves as Comptroller for WHAA and holds a baccalaureate degree in accounting from the dual enrollment program at Miami Dade College.