PHILANOMA MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHT
ALAN JALON, AIA NOMA LEED AP
Name: Alan F. Jalón
Alma Mater & Degrees: Bachelor of Architecture, Masters of Science Sustainable Design - Philadelphia University
Company: The Falcon Group
Industry Sector: Building Facade Design, Engineering and Construction
Practicing City: Philadelphia
Alma Mater & Degrees: Bachelor of Architecture, Masters of Science Sustainable Design - Philadelphia University
Company: The Falcon Group
Industry Sector: Building Facade Design, Engineering and Construction
Practicing City: Philadelphia
FEATURED PROJECT
Name of Project: Seymour Airport
Location: Baltra Island, The Galapagos, Ecuador
Completion Date: 2013
Project Description: LEED Certified Gold Airport on the remote island of Baltra. Click Here for More information.
Name of Project: Seymour Airport
Location: Baltra Island, The Galapagos, Ecuador
Completion Date: 2013
Project Description: LEED Certified Gold Airport on the remote island of Baltra. Click Here for More information.
Q&A
Please describe what you do.
I provide expertise to rehabilitate and repair buildings so that they perform as intended or better. Whether it is existing structure or new construction, I focus on identifying areas that allow air and water infiltration. Reviewing constructability concerns, I draw upon my background in sustainability and experience in building envelope to provide direction on properly tying together the air and water control layers to reduce the building’s energy demand. In addition, I also work on traditional design projects such as renovations, fit-outs and additions.
What/Who inspired you to study Architecture?
I was first introduced to architecture by my family. Two of my uncles practiced architecture in Ecuador. When I would visit their homes, I would spend most of time in their studios looking at blueprints (which at time were actually blue) and their building models. I was fascinated with the built environment and how drawings became buildings. I wanted to create and build.
Name few favorite architects/Builders/engineers and favorite buildings.
Santiago Calatrava has expressive designs that showcase structure as natural systems. He uses structure to create buildings that resemble more sculptural art.
Helmut Jahn also focuses on structure and connections, and displays them through his designs.
BIG (Bjarke Ingels) has a fantastic way of starting with an initial concept and incorporating that concept throughout the design.
What do you enjoy the most about your work? Or What do you find exciting about your work?
I love the aspect of problem solving. I think that is what an architect does best. Taking the client’s needs and creating a solution for them. For me, understanding why things fail and fixing them can be challenging. Problems may share similarities, but each problem is unique and has its own surprises. Understanding the nuances of each and providing a solution is one of the best parts of my job. While some people may shy away from dealing with problems, I believe that the more problems you encounter the better you become. You learn from problems because you understand the failure and then you better understand how to fix it.
In a few words, talk about your proudest professional achievements.
I have been fortunate to work on some great projects in a variety of capacities. I have two projects that I am most proud of. The first is the design of the Rustic Pavilion at the Fairmount Water Works while working at Mark B. Thompson Associates. This project is in a highly visible area in Philadelphia and was so much fun to design. I love learning about history and reviewing old historical photos and documents of the Water Works complex was fascinating. Another project that I proud of is the Seymour Airport on Baltra Island, The Galapagos. I spent a year living on site on the island of Baltra providing sustainable project management and LEED documentation. The airport received LEED Gold certification and is one of the greenest airports in the world.
What are some key lessons that you have learned throughout your professional career?
You must be ready to adapt to surprises, restrictions and personalities. As an architect you have to be able to effectively communicate with a variety of people, such as contractors, decision makers and laypeople. You have to be able to adapt to their knowledge and understanding. On a construction site, you will always have surprises. You will have to adapt and think “outside the box” to provide a solution quickly.
What advice would you offer to young professionals and students that are or will be entering your professional field?
Take every opportunity that you can and be willing to adapt. Do not mistake intelligence for experience. Put yourself in situations where you can have a variety of experiences in construction and focus less on designing in an office. While this seems counterintuitive for fresh college graduate, experiences on site will make you a better professional. You learn how things get built and the challenges that contractors face. The 2D drawings become real and how they are drawn on paper sometimes isn’t practical or possible. Understanding the construction process and collaborating with contractors is the best education for a designer. This will allow you to grow as an architect and it will make you better all-around professional.
How has your profession shaped your view of Philadelphia and/or current Worldview?
Philadelphia, like the rest of the world, needs to have environmentally responsible buildings. I think we need to stop thinking about buzzwords like “green and sustainable” and focus on buildings that just work. Buildings need to easily regulate comfort in interior spaces regardless of external environmental conditions. They need to be safe and provide functional value for the occupants. You cannot take shortcuts and you cannot build cheaply. Construction investments must be sustained. Old and historical buildings get repurposed and stand the test of time.
How and when did you get involved with PhilaNOMA chapter?
I got involved with NOMA about 10 years ago, but I did not become more active until about 3 years ago when I discovered project pipeline architecture camp.
What do you value most about your NOMA Membership?
The members. Each NOMA event brings together such wonderful group of people at different places in their career and with different experiences. It’s a great place to get involved and help others. I look forward to more years with growing membership.
I provide expertise to rehabilitate and repair buildings so that they perform as intended or better. Whether it is existing structure or new construction, I focus on identifying areas that allow air and water infiltration. Reviewing constructability concerns, I draw upon my background in sustainability and experience in building envelope to provide direction on properly tying together the air and water control layers to reduce the building’s energy demand. In addition, I also work on traditional design projects such as renovations, fit-outs and additions.
What/Who inspired you to study Architecture?
I was first introduced to architecture by my family. Two of my uncles practiced architecture in Ecuador. When I would visit their homes, I would spend most of time in their studios looking at blueprints (which at time were actually blue) and their building models. I was fascinated with the built environment and how drawings became buildings. I wanted to create and build.
Name few favorite architects/Builders/engineers and favorite buildings.
Santiago Calatrava has expressive designs that showcase structure as natural systems. He uses structure to create buildings that resemble more sculptural art.
Helmut Jahn also focuses on structure and connections, and displays them through his designs.
BIG (Bjarke Ingels) has a fantastic way of starting with an initial concept and incorporating that concept throughout the design.
What do you enjoy the most about your work? Or What do you find exciting about your work?
I love the aspect of problem solving. I think that is what an architect does best. Taking the client’s needs and creating a solution for them. For me, understanding why things fail and fixing them can be challenging. Problems may share similarities, but each problem is unique and has its own surprises. Understanding the nuances of each and providing a solution is one of the best parts of my job. While some people may shy away from dealing with problems, I believe that the more problems you encounter the better you become. You learn from problems because you understand the failure and then you better understand how to fix it.
In a few words, talk about your proudest professional achievements.
I have been fortunate to work on some great projects in a variety of capacities. I have two projects that I am most proud of. The first is the design of the Rustic Pavilion at the Fairmount Water Works while working at Mark B. Thompson Associates. This project is in a highly visible area in Philadelphia and was so much fun to design. I love learning about history and reviewing old historical photos and documents of the Water Works complex was fascinating. Another project that I proud of is the Seymour Airport on Baltra Island, The Galapagos. I spent a year living on site on the island of Baltra providing sustainable project management and LEED documentation. The airport received LEED Gold certification and is one of the greenest airports in the world.
What are some key lessons that you have learned throughout your professional career?
You must be ready to adapt to surprises, restrictions and personalities. As an architect you have to be able to effectively communicate with a variety of people, such as contractors, decision makers and laypeople. You have to be able to adapt to their knowledge and understanding. On a construction site, you will always have surprises. You will have to adapt and think “outside the box” to provide a solution quickly.
What advice would you offer to young professionals and students that are or will be entering your professional field?
Take every opportunity that you can and be willing to adapt. Do not mistake intelligence for experience. Put yourself in situations where you can have a variety of experiences in construction and focus less on designing in an office. While this seems counterintuitive for fresh college graduate, experiences on site will make you a better professional. You learn how things get built and the challenges that contractors face. The 2D drawings become real and how they are drawn on paper sometimes isn’t practical or possible. Understanding the construction process and collaborating with contractors is the best education for a designer. This will allow you to grow as an architect and it will make you better all-around professional.
How has your profession shaped your view of Philadelphia and/or current Worldview?
Philadelphia, like the rest of the world, needs to have environmentally responsible buildings. I think we need to stop thinking about buzzwords like “green and sustainable” and focus on buildings that just work. Buildings need to easily regulate comfort in interior spaces regardless of external environmental conditions. They need to be safe and provide functional value for the occupants. You cannot take shortcuts and you cannot build cheaply. Construction investments must be sustained. Old and historical buildings get repurposed and stand the test of time.
How and when did you get involved with PhilaNOMA chapter?
I got involved with NOMA about 10 years ago, but I did not become more active until about 3 years ago when I discovered project pipeline architecture camp.
What do you value most about your NOMA Membership?
The members. Each NOMA event brings together such wonderful group of people at different places in their career and with different experiences. It’s a great place to get involved and help others. I look forward to more years with growing membership.
