sloArch.com is a news and entertainment site dedicated to strengthening the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Architecture community.  We are just in our infancy, but our goals are to bring assistance, education, and entertainment to the Cal Poly Architecture community though news coverage, media production, and community outreach.

If you have an idea or something you would like to contribute let us know!

History

sloArch.com started in the May of 2009 as a general Architecture blog by Tim Alatorre (B. Arch ’06 CalPoly SLO).  In December the site joined with Haley Gipe (B. Arch ’06 CalPoly SLO) to lauch The Studio, a podcast devoted to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Architecture students and Alumni.  As of 2010 the site changed its focus to the Cal Poly community.  In March, Peter Kaupert (B. Arch ’05 CalPoly SLO) joined the team to assist with news gathering, reporting, and the very complicated process of forming a non-profit corporation.  We’re not very far a long in this process.  If you know of a good lawyer looking for some pro-bono work let us know!

People

Tim Alatorre AIA, LEED AP
President, Executive Editor

Tim has wanted to be an Architect as long as he can remember and for as almost as long he had a dream of attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.  That second dream came true and he graduated with a Bachlor of Architecture in 2006.   After years of studying and test taking Tim was issued his licence to practice Architecture in the State of California on April 21, 2010.

With over 15 years of experience with CAD(D)/BIM and over a decade of experience in the Architecture profession Tim has spent half his life doing what he loves.  He has worked on a variety of building types, including commercial, residential, and educational projects.  Before graduation Tim worked with another Cal Poly student designing and preparing working drawings for residential projects throughout Southern and Central California.

Tim has recently been involved with the AIA San Francisco Chapter where he is participating in the mentorship program.  He has also been used by the California Architect’s Board as a subject matter expert to develop the California Supplemental Examination.

Today Tim considers himself a Revit expert, or if not that, then a Revit addict.  He loves the creative process, solving problems, and working with talented people.

He currently works with RLS in San Francisco.

Haley Gipe Assoc AIA, LEEP AP
Vice President, Managing Editor

With a keen eye for detail and style, Haley stormed onto the Architecture design scene after graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a Bachelors of Architecture.  Although she walked with the Summer class of 2006, the exact year of her degree deferment is still under debate.  (The Studio Episode 1).

Haley is currently the IDP State Coordinator for Northern California and sits on the Council of Advisors for the Academy of Emerging Professionals through the AIA California Council.

Haley has been working at Darden Architects in Fresno CA since 2008, where she has helped to established a stellar IDP educational program within the firm that ultimately lead to the AIA national IDP Firm Award 2009-2012.  She is currently working towards licensure in California, studying for the Architecture Registration Exams in hopes of becoming licensed by 2012.

In 2009 Haley attended the AIA Grassroots Leadership and Legislation Conference in Washington D.C., the AIA National Convention in San Francisco and the National IDP Coordinators Conference in Portland.  She has recently been working to get involved with the CAB.  This work and involvement in IDP and Licensure information has put her in touch with key NCARB individuals which led to the opportunity to travel to four universities in October of 2009 and present IDP and Licensure information to students, faculty and administration, ultimately reaching around 450 students (300 of which were at Cal Poly alone).  She plans to ramp up her agenda for IDP and Licensure outreach in 2010 with the California Council and kicked off her campus tours for this year with a stop at Cal Poly.

More recently Haley has been trying to become more involved with the Cal Poly Architecture department, specifically related to keeping faculty and students informed about the IDP and Licensure requirements.

Peter Kaupert
Paperwork Guy, Contributing Editor

Peter received a Bachelors of Architecture degree from Cal Poly in 2005.  At the time of his graduation, he continued working for the same architecture firm where he is currently employed today.  Peter became enamored with the San Luis Obispo area while enrolled at Cal Poly and he considers himself fortunate that he can continue to live and work locally.  He is often found attending events on campus, hiking Bishop’s Peak, or exploring the tide pools of Montana de Oro.

From an early age, Peter was observant of the influence buildings have on the lifestyles of their users.  While still in his childhood, he decided to pursue a career in architecture, which would eventually lead him to Cal Poly.  During his time at school, he was able to participate in the Florence, Italy study abroad program.  Living in Florence and visiting other long established cities throughout Europe opened his eyes to the value each building contributes to the greater sum that fabricates communities and the urban environment.  He takes joy in the study of classical architecture and in extracting and applying many of its elements in today’s built environment.

Peter is currently working to fulfill IDP requirements and is preparing to take much of the ARE in 2010.  He is always ready to enter into a discussion about architecture.  He recently moved to Oregon where he is seeking new architecture adventures.

Justin Ribble Assoc AIA, LEED AP
Contributing Editor

Growing up in a rural part of Oregon, Justin has always had an interest in architecture and design.  This small-town kid always enjoyed trips to the “city” and was more than ready to see the rest of the world as soon as he had the opportunity.

While attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo he took part in the Washington Alexandria Architecture Consortium in Alexandria, Virginia, a program hosted just outside of our nation’s capital by Virginia Tech.  As part of his East coast experience he worked for an interior design firm inside the district and put that “real-world” knowledge to good use when called back to SLO to complete his thesis.

After receiving his B.Arch degree in 2003, Justin relocated to the Sacramento area and has worked in a wide variety of market segments.  From K-12 modernizations to large civic projects, he’s had a taste of it all.  After being laid off because of some unavoidable economic factors, Justin has been deeply involved in his ARE testing process and only has a few more exams to pass before everything is official.  He is also a longtime LEED AP and current AIA Associate, making almost weekly visits to the local AIA Central Valley Chapter offices.

When not working or studying for his exams, Justin is always trying to find a way to fuel his inner Anglophile.  From Pub Trivia sessions to early mornings spent watching a grainy soccer broadcast, this guy is serious about all things England and is hoping to make a footy inspired pilgrimage to the U.K. once he’s earned his architectural license.