Meet Candice
A mutual architecture friend introduced Candice to me many years ago and we’ve been friends ever since!
I am grateful that Candice is open to sharing her journey in the architecture profession as she is an example of how diverse the opportunities are for any students considering the field. She currently teaches high school architecture; a field that is highly specialized.
Candice studied architecture at SCAD Savannah and practiced commercial architecture for about a decade before moving into the sustainable design arena. Sustainable design experts emerged from comprehensive national green building programs such as LEED and Earthcraft House, both launched in the 1990s. The 2030 Challenge, established in 2006, challenges architects to significantly reduce energy consumption in buildings. Adopted by the American Institute of Architects, the 2030 Challenge and green building programs raised awareness and interest to design buildings with environmentally sound practices.
Candice left the traditional practice of architecture in the early 2000s to work with building scientists at the non-profit Southface Energy Institute in Atlanta. Southface is a nonprofit formed in the 1970s and is dedicated to promoting sustainable homes, workplaces and communities through education, research, advocacy and technical assistance.
After six years working on the Commercial Green Building Services team, Candice conducted green building consulting for a few years while she tried out teaching science and STEM in middle and high school so that she could stay closer to home and not travel across the country working on green buildings and conducting sustainability training. Once she decided to teach full-time, she worked to earn her teaching certificate and has been teaching architecture at the high school level for two years – combining her previous careers.
With her architecture students, she not only covers drafting “on the boards” and on the computer, but covers sustainability in the built environment, principles of design and leads students through the design process as they work on design projects.
It has been a privilege to watch Candice’s journey and see the opportunities she’s created through tremendous tenacity for her students such as field trips to architecture landmarks, studio charettes and collecting architecture materials and supplies so they can truly practice industry standards.
The teaching profession, especially, has been impacted by Covid; each teacher deserves our support for helping our children strive toward success!
Candice, what ultimately called you to earn your teacher certification and teach architecture?
I have a lot of leeway in what I teach outside of the state standards. I still get to keep up with green building standards while I am teaching the sustainability unit during Architecture I.
I also get to develop fun projects for the students to sink their teeth into throughout the 3-year program (beginning with Intro, continuing with Architecture I and wrapping up with Architecture II) – and enjoy seeing the creativity that the students exhibit and the growth over their time in the program.
Actually, next year, I have several students who have completed the program and are going to stay with me for a 4th year and complete a capstone-type project. THIS is something that I am really looking forward to – seeing the students’ personal interest flourish.
You’ve arranged many learning opportunities for the students, which one do you believe they enjoyed most?
The Atlanta chapter of the American Institute of Architects puts together very thoughtful competition projects for the students each year. The projects are sited on REAL parcels of land in and around Atlanta / north Georgia. They come with a very thorough Building Program (list of design parameters & building spaces). The students pour into that project for several months going through several steps of the architecture design process.
Last year, students designed a restaurant on the Beltline.
This year, students designed a boathouses on Lake Hartwell and mountain houses in the north Georgia mountains.
What has been your largest challenge teaching and how can we, as parents, help?
Covid has really changed students. During virtual / hybrid – trying to teach such a hands-on course over Zoom was really tough! We do have some catching up to do.
While we have the students in-person now, we still have work in the area of getting them used to being in school again… figuring out how to be in-person students again!
Thank you Candice for your time and talent invested in showing students the joy of the architecture profession!
If you have any general classroom supplies or drafting supplies that you wish to donate, you may reach out to Candice via her school email address: cgroves@marietta-city.k12.ga.us