Architect / Project Manager / Designer
Karin was originally drawn to architecture for its seemingly broad scope in understanding systems and synergy at both a macro and micro level. She is fascinated by the interdependence of all relationships, behaviors, influences and motivations within the social, political, environmental and individual landscape and how these hinder, enhance or generally contribute towards an outcome. Ideologically, she identifies with and is inspired by the many writings of futurist, architect and inventor, Buckminster Fuller.
A natural seeker, Karin was born asking “why.” Beyond just challenging the status quo she sought deeper understanding of self, others and community. From a young age, she was particularly adept at creating spaces and projects using found, recycled and natural objects.
While studying architecture at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo her favorite project was creating a clothing line out of seaweed, an exercise inspired by Andy Goldsworthy’s land art. In design, she appreciates solutions that are original, playful, innovative, resourceful and responsible.
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When she is not voraciously reading (wanting to understand the complexities of the seen and unseen universe), working on creating a makerspace in Truckee, studying astrology and spending quality moments with her also very busy new husband and Shetland sheepdog, she ideally balances herself with mountain biking, hiking and skiing. She looks forward to carving out more time for making art and music.
A natural seeker, Karin was born asking “why.” Beyond just challenging the status quo she sought deeper understanding of self, others and community. From a young age, she was particularly adept at creating spaces and projects using found, recycled and natural objects.
While studying architecture at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo her favorite project was creating a clothing line out of seaweed, an exercise inspired by Andy Goldsworthy’s land art. In design, she appreciates solutions that are original, playful, innovative, resourceful and responsible.
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When she is not voraciously reading (wanting to understand the complexities of the seen and unseen universe), working on creating a makerspace in Truckee, studying astrology and spending quality moments with her also very busy new husband and Shetland sheepdog, she ideally balances herself with mountain biking, hiking and skiing. She looks forward to carving out more time for making art and music.
All Staff
It is my pleasure to commend Kurt Reinkens of MWA Associates/Architects to you. Our association with Kurt began in the spring of 2004. We had purchased a lot at Northstar in February, and soon after began the daunting task of finding both an architect and a builder. The search was especially stressful because it was time-sensitive....we were hoping to get plans drawn up and approved prior to the October 15th cutoff date for groundbreaking that year.
We interviewed a half-dozen architects and builders. Kurt was the clear choice of an architect in my mind. During our interview with hint, he asked all the “right” questions and asked them in such a way that we began to think creatively about all the possibilities for our new home. He was concise and to the point, being mindful of our time as we were of his. The decision was positively reinforced when we settled on a builder that Kurt personally recommended to us.
Since we were operating under some serious time constraints, Kurt worked with us to formulate a contract that coupled Kurt’s creativity and design ideas with the expertise of the MWA draftsmen/associates. Kurt gathered some data from us re: our “dream” house…. ideas ranging from the number of bedrooms we wanted to how we envisioned the traffic flow from room to room. Kurt visited our lot, took our “dream ideas” and quickly worked up a draft. With visuals in hand, it was relatively easy to pinpoint the aspects of the proposal that we liked and didn’t like. Kurt was open-minded and professional throughout this process....discussing different ways to accomplish some of our ideas.
We had asked Kurt to work quickly and within a budget and he was good to his word on both fronts. Once the creative pieces were in place (the quality that we most wanted to capture from Kurt), the draft was turned over to Kurt’s associates for the detail work. Plans were formulated in a timely manner and Kurt and his associates maintained ongoing communication with us as we worked through the minutia.
Since we had never designed or built a house before, it was difficult to ‘visualize’ the three- dimensional product. Kurt and his associates were responsive to our inquiries every step of the way. Kurt listened to questions or concerns, and offered an opinion – a trait we very much appreciated since he was the expert and we were first-timers. Sometimes we were swayed to Kurt’s opinion, sometimes he was swayed to ours, and sometimes - through discussion — we got to a different solution all together — a better solution because we all maintained open minds and open communication.
Throughout the 15 months of house construction, Kurt and his associates were available for consultation with the builder, as needed. Access to the right people, open communication, and mutual respect were all critical to the timely, professional construction of our home.
Kurt’s vision was translated into reality with our builder’s craftsmanship and building expertise and we are delighted with all aspects of the finished product.
We interviewed a half-dozen architects and builders. Kurt was the clear choice of an architect in my mind. During our interview with hint, he asked all the “right” questions and asked them in such a way that we began to think creatively about all the possibilities for our new home. He was concise and to the point, being mindful of our time as we were of his. The decision was positively reinforced when we settled on a builder that Kurt personally recommended to us.
Since we were operating under some serious time constraints, Kurt worked with us to formulate a contract that coupled Kurt’s creativity and design ideas with the expertise of the MWA draftsmen/associates. Kurt gathered some data from us re: our “dream” house…. ideas ranging from the number of bedrooms we wanted to how we envisioned the traffic flow from room to room. Kurt visited our lot, took our “dream ideas” and quickly worked up a draft. With visuals in hand, it was relatively easy to pinpoint the aspects of the proposal that we liked and didn’t like. Kurt was open-minded and professional throughout this process....discussing different ways to accomplish some of our ideas.
We had asked Kurt to work quickly and within a budget and he was good to his word on both fronts. Once the creative pieces were in place (the quality that we most wanted to capture from Kurt), the draft was turned over to Kurt’s associates for the detail work. Plans were formulated in a timely manner and Kurt and his associates maintained ongoing communication with us as we worked through the minutia.
Since we had never designed or built a house before, it was difficult to ‘visualize’ the three- dimensional product. Kurt and his associates were responsive to our inquiries every step of the way. Kurt listened to questions or concerns, and offered an opinion – a trait we very much appreciated since he was the expert and we were first-timers. Sometimes we were swayed to Kurt’s opinion, sometimes he was swayed to ours, and sometimes - through discussion — we got to a different solution all together — a better solution because we all maintained open minds and open communication.
Throughout the 15 months of house construction, Kurt and his associates were available for consultation with the builder, as needed. Access to the right people, open communication, and mutual respect were all critical to the timely, professional construction of our home.
Kurt’s vision was translated into reality with our builder’s craftsmanship and building expertise and we are delighted with all aspects of the finished product.
Jan Coe