Melissa Clark This is Me

Education

 Web References

1. 1. www.bluehouseARCH.com

   www.bluehouseARCH.com/firminfo - [Cached]

   Published on: 4/6/2008   Last Visited: 7/4/2008

   bluehouse architecture, llc was formed in 2005 by proprietor Melissa Clark.
   
   Melissa Clark graduated from the school of Architecture at The Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Architecture.At Penn State, Melissa studied a broad range of architectural topics including a semester abroad in Rome, Italy, studying the aspects of classical architecture and town planning.During her fifth year studio thesis Melissa completed "The (Re)Building of Main Street", a design project that focused on revitalizing Westminster, Maryland's Main Street.The project focused on the need for gathering spaces, addressing parking concerns, and the creation and reinforcement of a town's center and identity.The design included townhouse units, a new winery, block interior park, pavilion, parking, restaurant, and four-story mixed-use building with retail and residential units.
   
   After graduation Melissa started her career as an office engineer at Clark Construction based in Bethesda, Maryland working on the construction of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian.After working on the construction side of this project for two years, Melissa wanted to return to working on the architectural design aspects of projects and rejoined the firm of Dean Camlin and Associates in Westminster, Maryland where she had interned during her summer breaks from Penn State.
   
   After three years at Dean Camlin and Associates, Melissa left & began working part-time for Plymouth Road Architects in Catonsville, Maryland on a the design of a mixed-use building on Main Street in Mt. Airy, Maryland.During this time, Melissa started bluehouse architecture, llc.

2. 2. www.bluehouseARCH.com

   www.bluehouseARCH.com/referenc - [Cached]

   Published on: 4/6/2008   Last Visited: 7/4/2008

   Melissa was wonderful to work with.She was able to take all our magazine clippings and long list of wants and needs and pull together a floor plan that worked perfectly.Melissa not only thought of our present needs but gave us a plan that would accommodate our future needs as well.
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   A year into our $100,000+ renovation of a pre-civil war house on Main Street, all we can say is that it would not have been possible without Melissa Clark's assistance.In addition to drawing blueprints, Melissa handled the bidding process, filed the necessary permits, met with the Historic Committee of the City government, performed site visits, and coordinated the purchase of appliances and fixtures.In all areas, Melissa was extremely quick to respond, efficient and thorough.We intend to use Melissa's services on our next project and would recommend her without hesitation.
   ...
   We have been partnering with Melissa for design work for over 2 years now.She is an amazing talent.She brings fresh new ideas.Her responsiveness to my clients and professional manner has been a delight to work with in this busy construction climate.Our award for 2007 Contractor of the Year would not have been possible without her input and eye for design.Melissa, we make a great team, I look forward to working with you in the future to come. CJ Dorman- Dorman Builders, Inc.
   
   Melissa has been wonderfully patient and extraordinarily helpful during our house hunt.She has given us countless creative ideas for remodeling possibilities and has understood our needs as a family.We couldn't buy another house without her!
   ...
   Melissa did a fantastic job taking my rough ideas and sketches and turning them into an incredibly beautiful and functional addition.It has changed the whole back of our house and yet blends as though it was part of the original structure. Also, the whole design process was smooth and efficient.Melissa is so easy to work with - she really listened to our questions and ideas.
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   In our opinion, Melissa Clark sets the bar for architectural services.Melissa is the only architect we know that can work equally well with both the Homeowners and Contractors.She is gifted in her collaborations with Homeowners to crystallize their ideas into effective architectural plans.As Contractors, we really appreciate Melissa's high caliber construction plans which are accurate, detailed, and architecturally superior.We send every design job we have to Melissa because we know no one else can match her customer satisfaction, professionalism, quality plans, and quick turn around.

3. 3. www.westminsteradvocate.com

   www.westminsteradvocate.com/de - [Cached]

   Published on: 10/21/2005   Last Visited: 6/25/2008

   Bluehouse architecture, llc is the name of Melissa Clark's Carroll County architecture firm.She was first interested in architecture in high school.Clark enjoyed her art classes but also math and science.After taking several drafting courses, she realized architecture was a great combination that allowed her to work in both fields and make a living as well.
   
   She went to The Pennsylvania State University for their five year Bachelor of Architecture program.While in college, Clark spent a semester in Rome, Italy, where she learned about city planning and classical architecture.
   
   After graduating, she worked with Clark Construction for a year and a half on the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.
   
   "Since I missed working on the design portion of buildings when I was in the construction field, I went back to Dean Robert Camlin Associates, where I worked during college breaks," Clark said.
   
   In 2005, she left Camlin and founded bluehouse architecture."I started the firm focusing on residential design including additions, new houses, and remodeling projects."After obtaining her architecture license in early 2006, she added commercial design to the company's project types.Commercial work, including tenant fit-out and new buildings now round out the company's portfolio.
   
   "I enjoy designing ‘Main Street' style architecture," Clark explained.
   ...
   The project Clark theorized about in college relates to her Main Street project under construction in Mount Airy."I had collaborated with Plymouth Road Architects on a design for a new mixed use building adjacent to Town Hall.After the fire in September 2007 that destroyed the Bohn Building, we expanded the original design to include rebuilding the building that was lost," she commented.
   
   Another project, which recently completed construction, is 173 W. Main St. in Westminster, which utilized the City of Westminster's Historic District tax credits.A single family home from the 1800s was renovated and reorganized to create a more efficient layout including a loft-style apartment in the rear.It was upgraded to include modern amenities such as a new kitchen and bathrooms.
   
   To receive the tax credits, they were required to stay true to the historic character of the home, Clark said.
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   One day, I would love to design and build my own beach house, but that is in the future," Clark said."Still, I collect photos out of magazines such as a porch design, expansive gourmet kitchen plans and other ideas I'd like to include in the home that I keep in binders."
   
   Clark also enjoys the challenge of working on different styles of design and project types and meeting new clients with diverse ideas and needs.You can contact Clark at http://www.bluehouseARCH.com .