Before coming to work at UGA, Gwynne Darden was a consultant for a historic preservation program in Japan. She also worked at architectural firms in Boston and outside of Atlanta. (Photo by Peter Frey)

GWYNNE DARDEN
Project Architect
University Architects for Facilities Planning

JOB DESCRIPTION: “I have the unique position of working with the Athletic Association on all of the athletic venues. The Office of University Architects for Facilities Planning manages and leads the planning, design and construction of facilities, which may involve new construction, additions, or renovations.

“When a facility is constructed in a campus environment there is an extensive amount of interaction and coordination with entities on- and off-campus. As a project architect, I am responsible for a project from inception through design, construction and occupancy.

“This office is integral to the planning and design processes and we lead the design team—the architects, engineers, end users and contractors.

“Some of the projects I have been involved with include the north side seating expansion, the sky suites north, and Reed Alley improvements at Sanford Stadium, the Rankin Smith Academic Center, the new softball stadium, the Dan Magill Tennis Complex, and multiple locker room renovations at Stegeman Coliseum.

“I am involved in everything from master planning to the selection of architects and contractors to project scheduling and budgets. For any task that may be required on a project, I am responsible for making sure it happens. Because projects are in different stages of development, I work on a total of about 20 to 30 projects at any given time.”

TIME IN CURRENT POSITION: “About a year ago, I was promoted to the position of project architect for athletics when the project architect who used to work with the Athletic Association retired. In total, I have worked here for about three and a half years.”

A TYPICAL DAY: “There aren’t many. This job is never stagnant or boring. Generally, I will come in and check my e-mail and my schedule for the day.

“Then I will call over to athletics and compare schedules and issues. From there, just about anything can happen—like job superintendents calling in with problems that I have to react to.”

MOST REWARDING PART OF MY JOB: “Seeing the completed projects in action, like the first game at the softball stadium and seeing students use the Rankin Smith Academic Center. And of course, being in Sanford Stadium on game day is always a thrill.”

MOST CHALLENGING PART OF MY JOB: “Keeping projects on time and within budget.”

PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCES: “I worked as a special consultant for the Machizukuri historic preservation program in Nara, Japan, while I was in graduate school.

“A fellow student and I spent the summer as international community liaisons assisting with architectural assessment and documentation of the importance and historic value of certain ancient towns in Japan.

“I also worked at architectural firms in Boston and outside of Atlanta before coming to UGA.
“I taught English in Japan for about two years between earning my undergraduate degree from Washington University of St. Louis and going to graduate school at M.I.T.

“I decided on Japan because I felt that my education focused so much on western architecture and culture, and I wanted to explore eastern architecture.”

IF I WASN’T DOING THIS JOB, I WOULD MOST LIKE TO: “Take a year off to work with wood by designing and building furniture. I took a furniture class in school and really enjoyed it, but now I don’t have access to the tools I need.”

OFF-THE-JOB INTERESTS: “I enjoy spending time with my husband, Patrick, and our two dogs, Smudge and Gund, as well as gardening. We recently planted some cherry and maple trees.”

FAVORITE MUSIC: “I love classical music. I played the violin for about 10 years, and played with the Northwest Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and the Washington University of St. Louis symphony.”

A BOOK I’D RECOMMEND TO OTHERS: “Life of Pi by Yann Martel, which is the bizarre story of a boy who is stranded on a lifeboat with a tiger.”

THE PEOPLE I MOST ADMIRE: “I admire people who are open to new concepts and embrace change in a positive manner.”

THE ISSUE THAT CONCERNS ME MOST ABOUT TODAY’S WORLD: “The lack of respect for and tolerance of different cultures and religions.”