Home- Professional
- Academic
- Photography
- Surfing
- The Lab
- Contact
Steve Fuchs v3
DESIGN | Educator, Thinker, Maker, Participant, and Surfer...
We're all designers. Let's connect, create, and sustain change.
-
Info
- Design Professor at Orange Coast CollegeHigher Education | Greater Los Angeles Area, USSummary
I'm a West Coast multi-disciplinary designer, Orange Coast College architecture faculty member, traveled surfer, and family man. My 25-years of experience includes designing and fabricating complex interiors and architectural systems for OMA, Morphosis, and Tschumi, among others; constructing BIM systems for mega-projects in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Boston, Paris, and the Middle East for Frank Gehry, SOM, AS+GG, and MIT; breeding artwork titled "Butterfly Machines" which has been the subject of gallery shows and academic publications; and continuously challenging individual design expertise and educational methodologies given cultural and technological evolution. Recently, I was recognized as an "emerging professional" by the National Chapter of the AIA, was an invited participant in IFI's futures think tank, and I support charitable organizations like Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA/Chicago) and the Surfrider Foundation (South Bay & Great Lakes).
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science and Technology from Thomas Edison State College, a Master of Architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc), and am currently pursuing a Doctor of Computer Science with an emphasis in Emerging Media and Design Education.
Specialties: Three words that best describe Steve: Creative, Personable & Resourceful. His specialties are team management & communication, building information systems, digital design & fabrication, technical illustration & 3D visualization, and design thinking & education
Experience- Jul 2012 - PresentDesign Professor / Orange Coast College
Architecture & Digital Fabrication
- Apr 2011 - PresentEducation Consultant / Robert McNeel and Associates
Rhino Level 1, 2, and Grasshopper 3D instruction and teaching assistance in first-run online courses, including continued support and consultation in curriculum development, technical documentation, and distance education.
- Jul 2010 - Sept 2012Graduate Faculty / Harrington College of Design
Graduate interior & communication design courses: thesis studio, thesis prep, grad student committee chair, member & reader; advanced digital and computational design (elective + specialization); creative collaboration studio; second semester studio; theory 1: ecology of design; media & communications; practice colloquium; design practices; and curriculum, interview, social & portfolio committees
- Aug 2007 - Jun 2010Senior Project Consultant / Gehry Technologies
At Gehry Technologies, Steve promoted organizational leadership, building information systems, quality assurance, technical documentation, and implementation of industry standards on large architecture and interior projects in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Paris, and the Middle East for architect Frank Gehry, SOM Chicago, and Adrian Smith+Gordon Gill.
- 2004 - 2008Design Blogger / Archinect.com
Blogged my entire SCI-Arc graduate school experience, participated in critical design discussion, and contributed to news and event sections of the website.
- 2007 - 2007Adjunct Faculty / East Los Angeles College
ARCH264 | 3D Modeling for Designers (including real-world application of 3D design, CAD drawing from 3D models, and animated walk-thrus using SketchUp & Layout)
- Apr 2005 - Aug 2007Design Manager / Panelite / Froech Design
Estimating, rationalization & product line development; Fabrication of architectural and interior projects that incorporated Panelite© products; and Production of visual installation guides, product brochures, and shop drawings
- Jun 1996 - Aug 2004Research Assistant & Information Designer / John Wiley and Sons
Books by Dr. Osamu Wakita & Richard Linde... Perspectonics: The Art & Science of Perspective Drawing, 1st Edition (Wiley unpublished), The Professional Practice of Architectural Working Drawings, 3rd Edition (Wiley 2002), The Professional Practice of Architectural Detailing, 3rd Edition (Wiley 1999)
- Apr 1998 - Jun 2001Designer & CAD Manager / Obelisk Architects, Inc.
Coordinated residential, commercial & ecclesiastical projects from design to construction documentation, including managing the firm's IT & CAD assets.
- Jan 1991 - Apr 1998CAD & Permit Specialist / Eidson Fire Protection
Coordinated sub-contract shop drawings using manual and CAD methods; obtained permits for projects in Southern California (Commercial including: Nordstrom, GAP & many others, Industrial, Institutional, and Residential Clients); and managed company IT assets.
- Aug 1989 - Jan 1991Drafter & Assistant / R.T. Wolfenden, General Contractor
Hands-on construction, manual drafting, and on-site coordination. Mr. Wolfenden was also President of the Chamber of Commerce and my duties included personal assistance for that position, including: civic events, holiday parades, and business mixers.
- Sept 1988 - Jun 1989Student Intern / BOA Architecture
Organized BOA's architecture library, coordinated blueprints, and assisted senior & junior architects with both manual and CAD design & drafting.
Education-
2011 - 2014Colorado Technical UniversityDoctor of Computer Science in Emerging Media, Design Education
-
2004 - 2006Southern California Institute of ArchitectureM.Arch in Architecture & Digital Design
Activities: National AIA Internship Conference: Recognition, "Emerging Professional", SCI-Arc Distinguished Service Award, SCI-Arc Alumni Development Grant, Teaching Assistant for 4 semesters (Novak, Gerber, Speaks, and Manferdini), CNC Shop Assistant, Archinect School Blogger -
2002 - 2004Thomas Edison State CollegeBS in Applied Science & Technology
Activities: Alpha Sigma Lambda (National Honor Society), Book: Professional Practice of Architectural Working Drawings, Book: Perspectonics, Art to Grow On (Director at Crestwood Street Elementary School) -
1988 - 2002Los Angeles Harbor CollegeAS & AA in Architecture & Liberal Arts
Activities: Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society, L.A. Harbor College: President's List & Full-time Dean's List, AIA Monterey Design Conference: 1st Place, essay competition, AIA South Bay / Cabrillo Chapter: 1st Place, portfolio scholarship, California State Senate: Recognition, outstanding personal & scholastic achievement, California State Assembly: Recognition, efforts to improve the community, Department Development: Graphic ID & Website, Teaching Assistant for 16 semesters (CAD & Advanced 3D Modeling) -
1986 - 1989San Pedro High SchoolDiploma with High Honors (Geometry) in Vocational Architecture
Activities: YMCA Surf Team
Additional Information-
Websites:
-
Honors:AIA National "Emerging Professional" (2005)
-
Interests:collective intelligence, collaborative design platforms, open source software, digital design, fabrication, world travel, photography, and surfing
-
Tweets
- RT @newrelic: [INFOGRAPHIC] Programming has been around since 1843? Here's the history of programming languages: http://t.co/i1rTZkYfPG
- Watch #CGIAmerica at http://t.co/Tr1hwxtj2n on 6/13, 3:30PM CT for a badging announcement from the MacArthur Foundation, Mozilla, & HASTAC
- 10 Beautiful, free, script #typefaces for your #design & #branding needs http://t.co/nM9CoxTm0U #typography #portfolio via @nicolesclasses
- Constructively Criticize http://t.co/z6a0SzdNSK via @danieldennett #rapoport #gametheory #titfortat #architecture #design #reviews #nextedu
- Can’t attend the Maker Faire in person? Catch all the center stage presentations + roaming live streaming at http://t.co/9O62EAh4BA. #maker
- 'The Art of Making' by Deep Green Sea: http://t.co/gpkGAruJTQ #maker #augmented #googleglass #design #thesis #film #surfboard #surfing
- 29 Ways to Stay Creative | #30 Surf! http://t.co/no2xwAPHZK #cultofdone #creativity #design #nextedu #thesis #surfingMay 04, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Check you the Watershot® giveaway. Win an underwater camera housing for your iPhone. #watershot_housing http://t.co/y3ewt7aZqo
- The first draft of @Mozilla’s Web Literacy standard is now available: http://t.co/SVZMYhQvyz Next step? #beta #thesis #openbadges #hastacApr 30, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Hackschooling Makes Me Happy: Logan LaPlante at TEDx http://t.co/7F2yYEvhux via @Rodrigo_Medina #nextedu #thesis #design #creativity #maker
- Zen and the Art of Making | Beginners = journey. Experts = destination. http://t.co/iW0gBkpMWM #maker #design #thesis #nextedu via @makeApr 15, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- UNStudio launches #opensource knowledge sharing : http://t.co/xyBiMu4lKb #thesis #architecture #design #gamechanger #maker @aia @hastac
- #Maker Movement #kids #makers #pink #legos #whhangout #design #edu http://t.co/lg89sEYm72 @whitehouse @tara @makersylvia @dalepd @otherlabMar 28, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
-
Photos" data-title="Dad's Day #rooftop #sun #loungin #reading #surfer #baja #genius #shopclass #soul #makers #coorslight #waspswatter #lol" data-link=""> " data-title="" data-link=""> " data-title="Pirate for Life #backyard #selfie #surfing #vonzipper #snapback #fathersday #theboyz #sanpedro #pirate #losangeles #southbay #socal #california #themesong #disneyland #piratesofthecaribbean" data-link=""> " data-title="Highend Surfboards #surfing #goldplated #gold #leather #333 #rodeodrive #tods #wtf #douchebag #sellout #themesong #icecube #checkyoself" data-link=""> " data-title="Giant Burrito #breakfast #waitinggame #longnight #redondobeach #southbay #socal #california #shadesofbaja #annoyingguy #weirdsnort #saveme" data-link=""> " data-title="Eat the Worm! #tequila #worm #baja #california #mexico #pesos #heineken #beer #k38 #lasrocas #themesong #howdryiam" data-link=""> " data-title="Pumping Swell #k37.5 #teresas #elmorro #summer #surfing #doh #waves #olas #beach #theboyz #pedro #baja #rosarito #themesong #mariachis #thathornrifffromdora" data-link=""> " data-title="Creative Business #fastcompany #celebrate #creativity #creatives #design #magazine #comedy #wholenotherlevel #keyandpeele @KeeganMKey @JordanPeele" data-link=""> " data-title="Close Encounter #lax #losangeles #airport #socal #ca #california #blackandwhite #bw #iphone5 #themesong #closeencounters #doodoodoodahdoo" data-link=""> " data-title="Midwest Goodness #leinenkugel #beer #summershandy #endlesssummer #bbq #chicken #onion #pineapple #bacon #yesbacon #dinner" data-link=""> " data-title="Higher Power #sun #sunshine #clouds #sanpedro #losangeles #socal #laharbor #california #palmtrees #vdo #vistadeloro #pv #palosverdes #themesong #creed #higher" data-link=""> " data-title="Machine "Research" #uPrint #hack #3Dprint #linux #ubuntu #thesis #opensource #maker #tenacious #summerbreak #themesong #kraftwerk #therobots" data-link=""> " data-title="Fluid Specimens #3Dprint #generative #design #plastic #flow #failure #tenacious #thesis #hacker #maker #maya #rhino3D #rh3D #grasshopper3D #gh3D #stratasys #uPrint #themesong #xenakis" data-link=""> " data-title="Design Fabrication #lasercut #pepakura #tower #model #led #light #maker #design #architecture #red #colors #cartoon #tron #occ #oc #orangecounty #california #themesong #daftpunk #ram #randomaccessmemories" data-link=""> " data-title="Peaky Aggression #surfing #newport #morning #sesh #beach #waves #SWswell #socal #oc #orangecounty #california #themesong #metallica #shorteststraw" data-link=""> " data-title="Butterfly Machine #3Dprint #thesis #generative #art #design #architecture #maya #genr8 #rhino #grasshopper #STL #fabrication #maker #uPrint #themesong #flightofthebumblebee" data-link=""> " data-title="Taco Scramble #breakfast #thatjusthappened #mashup #leftovers #creative #kitchen #zgallery #popeye" data-link=""> " data-title="Infinite Stoke #lowers #trestles #spring #surfing #southswell #beach #waves #sunset #sanclemente #orangecounty #oc #socal #california #themesong #metallica #one" data-link=""> " data-title="Blade Runner #lalive #ritzcarlton #skyscraper #architecture #nokia #staplescenter #downtown #losangeles #california #themesong #bladerunner #vangelis #rachelssong" data-link=""> " data-title="Balloon Structure #make #move #play #balloons #kids #designvillage #calpoly #sanluisobispo #california #architecture #design #themesong #nina #99redballoons" data-link="">
-
Photos
-
The Lab
- Wilmette, IL, United States
