Born and raised in Northern Ireland, Maxine received her architectural education in Edinburgh, Scotland. There, she was awarded a prestigious scholarship, which brought her to the United States as a student and intern architect.
Maxine’s early work with the multi-disciplinary firm Graven Images left a lasting impression in her holistic approach to design, considering all aspects from architecture to interiors to graphics and branding and their collective impact. Through her later work in the realm of affordable housing, Maxine’s architectural philosophy was shaped by the belief that design can make a difference on quality of life and should be accessible to all.
Her diverse background as an architect includes more than 15 years of professional practice with architectural firms in the United States and United Kingdom, in all phases of various public project types, from programming to construction administration, from schools to libraries. With a design philosophy focused on finding value, Maxine endeavors to find thoughtful responses to the needs of the client and user.
As an associate at Studio E Architects, Maxine is an integral part of the firm’s leadership and works in close collaboration with design principals Eric Naslund, FAIA and John Sheehan, AIA. She provides a critical voice in the design and detailing of many of the firm’s significant projects.
Maxine has served as Project Architect on high-profile projects, including multiple charter schools and sizable projects on university campuses in San Diego and Davis. Most notable has been her work with High Tech High Learning, with whom she designed and built three charter schools at two campuses within six years. Her varied body of work with Studio E Architects includes schools, mixed-use, multi-family and high-rise housing and and can be viewed in the attached exhibits.
Maxine has always had a strong commitment towards the architectural community and their impact on the greater community at large. As a graduate in Glasgow, Scotland, she was part of the city-wide, public education initiative of Glasgow 1999, UK City of Architecture and Design. This planted the seed of public engagement and the importance of a public understanding and awareness of architecture and design.
The seed has flourished during her 10-year involvement with the San Diego Architectural Foundation, an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization, whose mission is to to educate and promote outstanding architecture, planning, and urban design throughout the San Diego region. In her 3 years as President of SDAF, she has developed into a passionate leader and spokesperson for the value of design.
