Joseph Almeida, AIA, LEED, WELL
Current Firm: Flewelling-Moody
Specialties: Multi-family residential, mixed-use, education, commercial, hospitality
Education: B.Arch. Cal Poly Pomona
My Career Journey: Born in Torrance and growing up in Inglewood, my journey into the world of architecture began unexpectedly during my high school years. It was through my involvement in the FIRST Robotics team that I discovered my passion for design and engineering. The exhilaration of strategizing, designing, and building robots to compete in international competitions fueled my fascination with creating and innovating.
This passion led me to pursue a Bachelor of Architecture degree at Cal Poly Pomona. During my time there, a pivotal moment occurred when I embarked on a week-long trip to New York City to study our final project site in person. Standing amidst the towering skyscrapers and intricate facades of the Big Apple, I was overwhelmed with awe. The city's architectural diversity and rich history captivated me, reinforcing my resolve to pursue a career in architecture in this vibrant metropolis.
After graduating, I made the bold decision to move to New York City without a secured job, driven by my desire to contribute to the city's architectural landscape. Despite the challenges of starting anew in a bustling city far from home, I found my footing at Cooper Carry, where I spent seven years honing my skills as a project architect. Working on a diverse range of projects, from mixed-use developments to historic preservation, I immersed myself in every aspect of the architectural process. My involvement in sustainability initiatives and professional organizations like the Urban Land Institute broadened my perspective and deepened my commitment to creating sustainable and innovative architectural solutions.
Due to COVID-19 pandemic, I was laid off in 2020 and I was able to seek another opportunity at another prestigious architecture firm: Beyer Blinder Belle (BBB). I worked in the mixed use/multi family residential studio. I was the project architect on a development in Newark and in Harlem, both with an affordable housing component. I also led various sustainability initiatives, led the 2030 AIA commitment database, and was a mentor for the ACE program. However, due to financial and personal circumstances, after two and a half fulfilling years at Beyer Blinder Belle, I made the difficult decision to return to Los Angeles to be closer to family and friends. While bidding farewell to the bustling streets of New York City was bittersweet, I am grateful for the invaluable experiences and knowledge gained during my time there.
My passion for architecture lies in creating spaces that transcend mere structures, elevating human experiences and positively shaping our future. Collaboration, communication, and sustainability are at the core of my values, guiding my interactions with colleagues and clients alike. Inspired by architects like Tadao Ando, I am drawn to the idea of using architecture to evoke emotions and create meaningful experiences for occupants.
My favorite project is my most challenging project through my work experience, Lighthouse Point - a Retail and Residential Development in St. Geroge, Staten Island. This is a mixed is a mixed-use development that includes 115 residential units (affordable housing for qualified residents), 26,000 SF of office space, 50,000 SF of retail space, and parking that serves all its users. The project capitalizes on the urban relationships of uses and the collection of historic buildings; it provides an integrated public courtyard with an overlook to the water and the Manhattan skyline beyond. The project was very complicated, it was on a very steep sloped site, with historic lighthouse buildings known as the Staten Island Lighthouse Depot, and the subway line ran through the site below ground. Many authorities were involved in the design and approval of this master plan including Metropolitan Transit Authority, NY Department of Buildings, New York City Economic Development Corporation, NYC Housing Authority, and USGBC for LEED Certification. I started as an Intern Architect on this project in 2013, when the project was in it's master planning visioning phase, and through the years, I grew in knowledge as the project became more and more real. It took several years to start its construction in 2018 and through the many challenges the project faced, I learned and collaborated with others to solve the issues. The project is now scheduled to complete Fall of this year, and although I am not in NY anymore, I feel that I a part of me remains within this project and positively impacts the community of State Island. The reason why this is my favorite project is not only the amount of time and effort I spent making my ideas and my designs a reality, but the project was a true culmination of collaboration between different agencies, different ideas, and different people to create a place that will be sustainable to our environment, and provide affordable housing to the community. Collaborating with others and working towards the creation of a place, a destination, and a strong collaborative relationship with the team are things I enjoy doing and this project is a prime example of that. From this project, I did other larger projects that enjoyed working on, especially those that were thoughtful in their design and intent.
