REGISTRATION
1995: Architect: State of Hawaii-#AR-8836
1994: Architect: State of California-#C25159

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Institute of Architects
American Bamboo Society
HCABS (Hawaii Chapter of the American Bamboo Society). 1995-1996: Chairperson, Architecture and Engineering Committee: Organized local workshops and seminars on bamboo construction, featuring visiting experts from around the world.

EDUCATION
1986: Bachelor of Architecture, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Cum Laude.
1985-1986: California State University, Florence, Italy.

AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
1981-1982: Top First Year Student
1983, 1984: Scholarships: Women’s League of Architects and Engineers.

ARCHITECTURAL EXPERIENCE
While earning her BArch degree at Cal Poly in the early eighties, Ms. Simpson started work as an assistant for a local architect, learning the fundamental skills of running a small architectural practice. Finishing her education in Florence, Italy, she had the opportunity to work in various internationally known architectural firms in Italy and Austria, performing mostly presentation work on a wide range of projects and competitions. Returning to California in 1989, Ms. Simpson opened private practices in Venice, California and in the Northern California coastal area of Sonoma County before moving to Hawaii in 1992. In addition to providing conventional architectural services, her years in Hawaii have been devoted to community involvement and the research and development of local alternative building materials, focusing primarily on bamboo.


1998 to Present
McKEAGUE & SIMPSON ARCHITECTS AND ASSOCIATES. Hilo, Hawaii.
Principal Architect: Residential and commercial design. Specializing in custom residential and community-oriented commercial projects, with an emphasis on environmentally sustainable building practices. Consultant to James M. McKeague, Architect for County Department of Parks and Recreation projects and custom residential projects.

1995 to 2000
ECO TERRESTRIAL CONCEPTS. Kurtistown, Hawaii.
Partner: With partner, Leimana Pelton (www.bamboovillagehawaii.org), design of bamboo and ferrocement structures and coordination of bamboo construction workshops. With a grant provided by the County of Hawaii, Research and Development, co-produced the report “Building with Bamboo in Hawaii” with Mr. Pelton. Office management.

1994 to 1998
VALERIE SIMPSON, ARCHITECT. Hawaii.
Principal Architect: Various custom residential and small retail projects.

1993-1994
THE CJS GROUP ARCHITECTS, LTD. Honolulu, Hawaii.
Project Architect: High-end custom residential design. Design development of various commercial and medical projects in Honolulu.

1989 to 1993
D.b.a. VALERIE SIMPSON DESIGN + DRAFTING
Consulted for various architects. Design, model-making, and production drawings for various custom residences, hotels, winery facilities and small retail projects.

1989-1990
ROLAND MILLER ASSOCIATES
Production drawings and models on winery facilities and multi-family residential.

1987-1989
COOP HIMMELBLAU. Vienna, Austria.
Architectural model building and presentation graphics for residential, commercial, and urban design competitions. Projects include: Melun-Senart (French urban design competition won by Coop Himmelblau in 1987); Ronacher Theater, Vienna (another competition won in 1987); Falkestrasse, Vienna (lawyer’s office on a rooftop); Open House, Malibu, California.

1986-1987
STUDIO CRISTIANO TORALDO DI FRANCIA. Florence, Italy.
Architectural presentation and drafting for commercial projects and urban design competitions, including the Triennale di Milano, 1987.

1982-1985
PACIFIC ARCHITECTURE. Pasadena, California.
Production drawings, model making, and design on various commercial and residential projects. Office management.