Roberta A. Fennessy AIA, AICP
Multi-faceted Architect and Urban Planner with strong strategic and project management skills. In depth knowledge of land use laws, zoning regulations, and approvals processes, has made her a key figure in navigating projects and clients through various levels of agency and governmental approvals. Core experience includes working on public and private, large-scale, mixed-use development projects, including multi-family residential, commercial, institutional uses and transit-oriented development.
EDUCATION
Master of Science in Urban Planning, May 2006
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, New York, NY
Department of Urban Planning, Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
Sector Specialization: Environmental Planning, International Comparative Planning
Thesis Focus: Smart Growth and Growth Management Legislation, Case Study: State of Florida
Bachelor of Design in Architecture, May 2003
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, Gainesville, Florida
School of Architecture, College of Design, Construction and Planning
Major: Architecture
Minor: French Language, Diplôme de français des affaires, 1er degré de la CCIP
Foreign Study Experience:
Vicenza Institute of Architecture, Vicenza, Italy (Fall 2002)
Institut Américain Universitaire, Avignon, France (Summer 2001)
ACADEMIC & TEACHING EXPERIENCE
University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL · 2015– Present
Instructor, PAD 4331 - Land Use & Planning - Fall 2015
University of Central Florida, COHPA, Department of Urban & Regional Planning
Instructor, PAD 5336 - Introduction to Urban Planning - Fall 2015
University of Central Florida, COHPA, Department of Urban & Regional Planning
Adjunct Instructor, PAD 6387 - Transportation Policy - Summer 2015
University of Central Florida, COHPA, Department of Urban & Regional Planning
Columbia University, New York, NY ·2013– 2015
Adjunct Professor, PLAN 6911 - Health Improvement District Graduate Studio - Spring 2015
Columbia University, GSAPP, Department of Urban Planning
Adjunct Professor, PLAN 6911 - Creative Village Graduate Studio - Spring 2013
Columbia University, GSAPP, Department of Urban Planning
Instructor/Graduate Program Assistant, Beginner Photoshop for Planners, Fall 2005
Columbia University, GSAPP, Department of Urban Planning
Other
Guest Critic/Jury, Undergraduate 3rd Year Architecture Studio, Professor Bradley Walters, Fall 2011
University of Florida, School of Architecture
Guest Critic/Jury, Civic Urbanism Graduate Studio, Professor Bruce Stephenson, Fall 2011
Rollins College, Department of Planning in Civic Urbanism
Teaching Assistant, Undergraduate 1st Year Design Studio, Prof. Martin Gold, Summer 2003
University of Florida, School of ArchitectureMentor,
Ace Mentor Program of America, 2006-2009
Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill, New York, NY
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
UDP Consulting, LLC, Orlando, FL · January 2013– Present
Founder & Principal
Urban Design agency providing planning, design, architectural and development consultancy services to clients in the Central Florida and New York Region. In-house urban design consultant for the Creative Village Redevelopment Project in Downtown Orlando.
TOWN OF WINDERMERE, Windermere, FL · February 2012 – December 2012
Senior Planner, Development Services Coordinator
Managed all building and planning department functions, including permitting, site plan review, zoning & land use approvals, storm water and drainage improvements, code enforcement, special projects, and Comprehensive Plan Amendments.
RMJM ARCHITECTS & PLANNERS, New York, NY · June 2009 – August 2010
Associate, Project Manager – Urban Design & Planning
Responsible for business development strategy and coordination for office-wide urban-scale projects.Project management experience including consultant coordination, approvals and agency coordination, RFP submittals, new business and marketing proposals.
SKIDMORE, OWINGS & MERRILL, LLP, New York, NY · May 2006 - April 2009
Assistant Project Manager – Urban Design & Planning · October 2008 - April 2009
Responsible for resource management and project delivery, schedule and budget compliance, consultant coordination, approvals and agency coordination, RFP submittals, new business and marketing proposals.
Urban Designer-Planner · May 2006 - September 2008
Master planning and urban design, land use planning, site feasibility studies, zoning and design guideline development, project deliverables coordination, and preparation of presentation documents and marketing materials.
MAGNUSSON ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING, PC, New York, NY · March 2004 - May 2006
Staff Architect responsible for programming, concept design, schematic design, design development, construction documents, RFP submittals and preparation of presentation documents and marketing materials
VALHAL CORP., New York, NY · July 2003 - March 2004
Project/PropertyManager responsible for property maintenance coordination, tenant fit-out + space planning, design coordination, construction coordination, preparation of presentation documents and marketing materials
AWARDS, GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS
The Counselors of Real Estate Foundation, Grant Recipient,Creative Village “Art Wall” Project, 2014
Broad Street Station Redevelopment Plan (SOM), NJ FUTURES Smart Growth Award, 2009
William Kinne Travel Fellowship, Recipient, Columbia University, 2006
Melrose Commons Master Plan (MAP Architects) AIA New York Chapter – Housing Award, 2005 University Scholars Research Grant Program, Recipient, University of Florida, 2002
Student Icon Award. AIAS: University of Florida Chapter, 2001-2002
Annual Recognition Award. Architecture College Council: University of Florida, 2001-2002
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Recipient, 100% Tuition, 1999
TECHNICAL SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
COMPUTER SKILLS:
AutoCad· Autodesk Rev-it
Adobe Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
Google Sketch-up
All Microsoft Office Applications
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Portuguese: Fluent, Native Speaker
French: Fluent, Reading/Writing Comprehension
Italian: Working Knowledge/Conversational
Spanish: Working Knowledge/Conversational
PUBLICATIONS & LECTURES
Shanklin, Mary.“Orlando’s Creative Village hopes to benefit from grad students' insights.” The Orlando Sentinel. February 24, 2013: Print.
Host & Panelist, “For the Love of Cities - Why I Love Orlando.”An in-depth discussion with Author Peter Kageyama. Urban Rethink, Orlando, FL , November 15, 2011
“Country Living’s New Price Tag.”
URBAN Magazine: Fall 2005, Volume 9 Issue 1, 34-35. New York, NY: Columbia University,
Department of Urban Planning.
“Melrose Commons: Affordability Returns to The Bronx.”
URBAN Magazine: Fall 2004, Volume 8, Issue 1, 8-9. New York, NY: Columbia University,
Department of Urban Planning.
Architrave, Editor-in-Chief. 2001-2002. Magazine: Gainesville, FL: University of Florida,
School of Architecture
MEMBERSHIPS & PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Institute of Architects, Licensed Architect
American Institute of Certified Planners
American Planning Association, Orlando Metro Section
Urban Land Institute, Young Leaders Group
1 | Roberta A. Fennessy, AIA, AICP· Curriculum Vitae