Bachelor of Arts, Urban Design
& Architecture Studies
Minors in Art History & Studio Art
New York University
Master of Historic Preservation
Pratt Institute
Master of Architecture
University of Pennsylvania
Education
Registrations & Associations
Architect, State of California
– in progress
Membership
American Institute of Architects
(Associate)
NCARB
8
Years of Experience
1
Years with Firm
Professional Profile
Amanda Nicole Gruen is the most recent and welcome addition to the StudioWC design staff. With advanced degrees in both Architecture and Historic Preservation, recent projects she has worked on include expanding a gaming facility on tribal land with a new high-rise hotel, parking garage, and pedestrian bridge.
Amanda is familiar with tight deadlines and construction documents. She also facilitates BIM practices by recognizing efficiencies and aligning team priorities for modeling and drawing standards. A recognized leader, she has worked with design teams to improve upon current practices and strategies including
animations and VR walkthroughs.
As a staff architect, Amanda was part of a tight-knit team who worked on an Innovation Renovation project for Northeastern University Snell Library, from its programming to the Construction Documents phase. She has also stewarded an ambitious $5 million furniture documentation package, including budgeting, furniture selection, and collaboration with furniture manufacturers.
Amanda is excited to draw upon her many talents to work with StudioWC and the California School Districts to provide outstanding educational designs.
Personal Story
Amanda Gruen is a native San Diegan who grew up with three younger siblings. She attended Rancho Santa Fe Elementary School and Torrey Pines High School. She played several sports and enjoyed tennis the most.
Amanda’s mother has had the most influence on her daughter, supporting her decision to become an architect early on. “As a child, I was always building, drawing, reading, and buying architecture books as souvenirs,” she said. “My mother and I would drive around different neighborhoods and look at open houses, so she inspired me with this pastime. I also grew up in a 1927 Lilian Rice Spanish Colonial house. This encouraged my curiosity in learning about history, architecture, and architectural theory.”
Amanda recently bought her first home and has done a lot of remodeling herself, including laying tile, installing the kitchen backsplash, some flooring, renovating the fireplace, and painting.
Fortunate to be an international traveler, a partial list of places she has visited includes Iceland, Egypt, South Korea, Argentina, Israel, Turkey, Greece, Germany, France, and Italy. “Traveling has developed and expanded my perspective, leading to many incredible experiences, tasting amazing food, appreciating architecture and other wonders of the world, as well as meeting people I never would have otherwise,” she said.
In addition to DIY projects at home, she loves to spend time with her family, including her significant other, Chris, and her 14-year-old sassy cat, Kitty Purry. Both she and Chris love to globetrot (they met in Italy). Their most recent trip together was to India for a friend’s wedding (The Taj Mahal, shown in photograph). In the next few years, they are hoping to cross Spain, Portugal, Morocco, and South Africa off their wish list.
