1. Summary:
I am a hybrid creative professional with over 14 years of experience bringing a well-rounded
and scholarly approach that emerges from an interdisciplinary design paradigm and field
experience. Shaped by deep research and driven by strategic rigor, my work sits at the
intersection of architecture, spatial cognition, gerontology, anthropometry, material culture
and anthropometrics to design optimal user experiences.
I bring a clear understanding of the design process through actualization with experience in
conceptualization, planning, research, documentation, understanding vernacular variables
and ensuring clear communication along the way. I specialize in translating strategic insights
into elegant, tangible spatial experiences and universal design solutions. It is this process
that forges desirable spatial experiences which are functional, efficient, sustainable and
pleasing to all our senses.
I am passionately engaged in studying the sociocultural undercurrents of the past to have a
grounded understanding of the present and bring a more informed and inspired mind along
with an open ear to conceptualizing and actualize possible futures.
Expertise
Programming and
Concept Development
participatory design
aging-in-place
smart tech integration
universal design
ADA/ADAAG
user experience outcomes
Project Management
and Coordination
scheduling
costing
on-site management
project team building
Historic Architecture
adaptive reuse
intensive surveys
reconnaissance surveys
DOE
HSR
design guidelines
tax credits
research
historic nominations
existing condition reports
Graphic Design
EGD & wayfinding
IUxD
logo & branding
brochures
website design
Professional Experience:
1863 Commemorate Lawrence, CVB, Lawrence, KS | 2013
Associate Project Director, New Cities Initiative, KU | 2010-2014
Hammond & Masing General Contractors, San Diego, CA | 2006
Day & Night Restoration, San Diego, CA | 2002-2005
Zieba Builders, Naples, CA | 2006-2007
Historic Preservation Planner I, City of Lawrence, Lawrence, KS | 2013
Preservation Researcher & Planner, PSATG, Lexington, KY | 2009-2011
Consultant, BYB Consulting, Lawrence, KS | 2010-current
Professor of Record, SADP, University of Kansas | 2014
GTA/GRA, SADP, University of Kansas | 2010-2014
ACADEMIC
ARCH
HISTORIAN
/PLANNER
PROJECT
MANAGEMENT
DESIGN BUILD
Software
CAD-Autodesk
Revit 2014
ARC ESRI
Adobe CC
InDesign
Photoshop
Illustrator
Lightroom
DreamWeaver
Bridge
Muse
Acrobat DC
BeHance
KHRI
RuskinArc
MAC & PC
Education:
University of Kansas, 2014 (ABD, on leave)
University of Kansas, 2012 (honors)
SpatialCognition,CognitivePsychology,Anthropometry,HumanFactors,Life-spanDesign
University of Kansas, 2010 (honors)
HistoricPreservation,VernacularArchitecture,FieldMethods&Surveys,MaterialCulture
B.A. ARCH
M.A. ARCH
D. ARCH
BRENNA A. BUCHANAN YOUNG
brenna.buchanan@me.com | 858.692.3777
LPA
HMOF
RCOC
CSBC-SD
Board of Directors/Committees:
Historic Resource Commission, Vice Chair | Lawrence, KS
Architectural Historian | 2015 - current
Lawrence Preservation Alliance | Lawrence, KS
Board of Directors | 2007-2010
Member | 2010-current
Historic Mount Oread Friends | Lawrence, KS
Secretary/Treasurer | 2012-current
President - Student Chapter | 2009-2012
Member at Large | 2009
Remodelors Council of Orange County | Orange County, CA
Board of Directors | 2007
Customer Service Builders Council | San Diego, CA
Member at Large | 2005
Board of Directors | 2006 & 2007
Retiree Attraction & Retention Task Force | Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, KS
Housing Committee | 2012
Final Report Team | 2012
ADVISORYBOARD
HRC

2. Honors & Awards:
Academic Achievement in Architectural Studies, SADP, University of Kansas | 2010
“in situ: Taking Measure” M.A. Arch thesis, honors, SADP, University of Kansas | 2012
1st Year German Scholars Book Award, Department of Germanic Languages | 2008
2nd Year German Scholars Book Award, Department of Germanic Languages | 2009
National Scholars Honor Society | 2010 - lifetime
Delta Epsilon Iota, Academic & Leadership Honors Fraternity | 2011 - lifetime
Boomers Futures Fellow | 2010 - 2014
Best of the Best Design Award - Remodelers Magazine | 2007
Innovative Website Design and Digital Education Programming with Technology Award -
Kansas Museum Association (KMA) | 2013
Online Marketing Award - Travel Industry Association of Kansas (TIAK) | 2013
“Best Re-enactment,” The Pitch Awards 2013 http://www.pitch.com/kansascity/best-re-enactment/BestOf?oid=3979166
”Top 10 Most Memorable Stories of 2013,” Lawrence Journal World
Schwartz Prize, Kansas Humanities Council for #QR1863
ACADEMIC
DESIGN
Relevant Academic Experience:
History of Urban Design
History of Modern Architecture since 1900, discussion
History of the American Home (1800-current)
American Vernacular Architecture (1600-2010)
History of North American Architecture (1550-1900)
History of Modern Architecture since 1900, lecture
“in situ: Taking Measure” a how-to interactive ebook for field survey methods
and techniques
Visual Perception & Cognition
Material Culture: Theories & Methods of Meaning
History and Principals of Universal Design
Community in Neighborhood Planning & Design
Homeplaces
Built Environment for Boomers and Beyond, “New Cities Interdisciplinary Lab”
Wayfinding & Spatial Cognition
Gerontology Pros Seminar
PROFESSOR
OF RECORD
GTA/GRA
M.A. ARCH
Thesis (honors)
STUDENT
Certifications:
36 CFR Part 61, Architectural History & Historic Architecture | 2010
CGR - Certified Graduate Remodeler | 2006
CPM - Project Management | 2006
WRT/ASD, Water Damage Restoration/Applied Structural Drying | 2003
AMRS & AMRT, Applied & Advanced Microbial Remediation Specialist | 2004
MWR, Master Water Restorer | 2004
BMT, Building Moisture Thermographer | 2005
Mold Remediation Specialist | 2003
First Aid | 1999, 2007
Social Behavioral Research (Research Integrity Certification) | 2014
Biomedical Research Privacy Act (Research Integrity Certification) | 2014
NPS
NAHB
NAMP
RED CROSS
IICRC
SBE
HIPPA
858-692-3777
brenna.buchanan@me.comBRENNAA.BUCHANANYOUNG

3. Guest Lectures Juries:
Field Survey Methodology and Documentation Processes: in situ techniques tips
American Vernacular Architecture, Prof. Dennis Domer Graphic Journaling, Nick Nepveux
Lakeview: The Victorian Life of Lawrence – the connection of the private lives and residences in Old
West Lawrence to Lakeview’s founding fathers the establishment of Lakeview Hunting Fishing
Club ca. 1880.
University Womens Club - History Group, University of Kansas
La Yarda: The material culture of the Mexican American Community in Lawrence, Kansas – the
history significance of the people, traditions and the architecture...what does it mean today?
Lawrence Preservation Alliance, University Womens Club - History Group Lawrence Rotary Club
The American Bungalow: Where it came from, why it became a symbol of the American Dream and
How to Identify a Kit-home.
Franklin County Heritage Council
How to research your home
Lawrence Preservation Alliance
Carnegie Library - The history of its founding the symbology of its architectural details.
Lawrence Public Library, USD 497 Teacher in Service Lecture Series
The surviving structures of Quantrill’s Raid: Dispelling the Myths
Lawrence Central Rotary Club Lawrence Journal World
Freestate Vernacular Architecture: the fun facts about Lawrence that you probably don’t know...but
see everyday.
Freestate Film Art Festival, Lightning Round Speaker
Multi-Generational Living: the Regnier Studio, (5th year studio),
Kansas State University, Prof. Susanne Siepl-Coates | 2013
http://mgenhaus.wordpress.com
reGeneration: Models for Sustainable Inter-Generational Living (5th year studio),
Kansas State University, Prof. Susanne Siepl-Coates | 2014
http://sieplcoatesstudio.weebly.com
http://www.newcities.ku.edu/2014-speakers-and-videos
ARCH 209: Architectural Design II
University of Kansas, Roberto Castillo, GTA | 2014
ARCH 615: Graphic Journaling
University of Kansas, Nick Nepveux | 2012 2013
ACADEMIC
GUEST
LECTURES
GUEST
JURER
858-692-3777
brenna.buchanan@me.comBRENNAA.BUCHANANYOUNG

4. 858-692-3777
brenna.buchanan@me.comBRENNAA.BUCHANANYOUNG
News Media:
Sunflower Journeys: Launching the Sesquicentennial: “Plains People, Vernacular
Architecture Survey of Territorial Kansas, Pre- 1861” with Dale Nimz | 2012
Town Topic: 150th Commemoration of Quantrill’s Raid, Chanel 6 News
Town Topic: Lawrence History, Chanel 6 News
“Downtown walking tours offer history, life lessons,” Lawrence Journal World, May 3,
2008. http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/may/03/downtown_walking_tours_offer_history_life_lessons/
“Downtown tours shed light on city’s architectural history,” Lawrence Journal World,
June 8, 2008. http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/jun/08/downtown_tours_shed_light_citys_architectural_hist/
“Chautauqua event explores Mass. Street history,” Lawrence Journal World, June 21,
2008.
“Looking back at La Yarda,” Lawrence Journal World, July 26, 2009. http://www2.ljworld.com/
news/2009/jul/26/looking-back-la-yarda/
“Lawhorn’s Lawrence: The hidden survivors of Quantrill’s Raid,” Lawrence Journal World,
June 9, 2013. (front page). http://www2.ljworld.com/photos/2013/jun/09/256708/
“University of Kansas student Brenna Buchanan named Boomer Futures Fellow”
readMedia Inc., October 25, 2011 http://readme.readmedia.com/University-of-Kansas-student-Brenna-
Buchanan-named-Boomer-Futures-Fellow/3072801
“Organizations provide education on Quantrill’s raid” University Daily Kansan (UDK),
June 3, 2013. http://udkne.ws/11dvoYS
“University buildings join National Register of Historic Places” University Daily Kansan
(UDK), Feb. 19, 2013. http://udkne.ws/WOwWcV
“B.A. Students Partner with Downtown Lawrence Inc. to Develop Tours” Architecture
Planning 2008-09 Schemata, University of Kansas, p. 23-24.
“Living in East Lawrence” with Dennis Domer (in copy)
“in situ: Taking Measure” University of Kansas Press, ebook, 2010
2010 Portfolio, online at http://www.blurb.com/b/1515365-brenna-buchanan-
portfolio-2010
“Increasing Access to Private Homes for Wheelchair Users: A Resource for Visitors and
Hosts – Removing Barriers” with Dot Nary, Christopher Reeve Foundation (in copy).
TV
NEWSPAPER
FEATURED
PUBLICATIONS