Studio W Spotlight: Sawyer Kaumeyer

Newport Beach, CA—We’re excited to introduce Sawyer Kaumeyer, Project Designer at our Newport Beach Studio, as this month’s Studio W Spotlight team member. With a passion for problem-solving and innovation, Sawyer attended Texas Tech University, receiving both a Bachelor and a Master of Architecture, as well as a Digital Design & Fabrication Certificate, and has since worked on a wide-range of projects for Studio W, including educational, mixed-use and civic facilities. As a project designer, Sawyer is responsible for supporting our internal design teams with the creation of quality project drawings and documents. She has proven herself as a dedicated designer who is continually finding ways to elevate her skills while utilizing her creativity and thoughtfulness. She has assisted on projects such as the Plumas Avenue Elementary School ELOP Facility, Red Hook’s TEACH Las Vegas campus and Sowers Middle School Reconstruction.

Sawyer loves trips to the beach, the Harry Potter films and Mexican food, especially chips and guac. She thrives on the variety of projects she works on and likes to be “kept on her toes” when it comes to opportunities to learn and grow. Learn more about Sawyer…

 

What is your hometown, or where do you live currently and what do you like about it?

Currently I live near Newport Beach, California but was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas. Growing up, I vacationed in Newport Beach every summer to visit my extended family; my father was born in California and still has family in the area. I have always loved the beach, Disneyland and the amazing weather and atmosphere of Orange County.

 

What is your favorite restaurant or food?

I love any type of Mexican food. I grew up eating Tex-Mex weekly, but since moving to California, I have loved branching out and trying the different types of Mexican restaurants. Give me chips and guac with a good drink any day.

What is your favorite song, movie or book?

I love the Harry Potter movies and rewatch them every year.

Who is your hero or a person that inspires you?

My father is my hero. Having children very early in life, I have admired how committed he has been to his family and giving us the best life no matter the circumstances. He has not only been my biggest cheerleader but my biggest critic, which has pushed me to be the best version of myself, far past what I would have thought I could ever achieve. He is dependable, driven and loyal. These are traits I strive to live up to every day.

What is a typical weekend for you?

A typical weekend consists of morning workouts, and could include activities such as dinner with friends, going to the movies, beach, pool or Disneyland, plus hopefully a little bit of rest.

How did you find architecture?

When I was a senior in high school, I was researching different college majors and came across architecture. It looked like a career where I could use both my creative and logical sides, which I loved, so, I chose architecture as my major in my freshman year of college and stuck with it all the way through graduate school.

What is your most memorable project and why?

Since working at Studio W, my most memorable project has been the schematic design for Buena Park School District’s Gilbert Elementary School Expansion. I am the lead designer for the project, which involves an administration building, classroom building and site enhancements to an outdoor learning space and playground. This project has allowed me to show my design skills, as well as learn more about site and building design through working with Studio W Leaders, Rachel Clemente and Tony Pacheco-Taylor.

What is a building and/or destination that inspires you and why?

New York City has continually been a destination that inspires me. Just being in the city and walking the streets, you can’t help but feel inspired by the beautiful architecture and life throughout the city. During graduate school, I was part of a studio that traveled to New York City and studied the facades of several of the City’s residential buildings. I still look back on many of these building’s techniques and design elements for inspiration within my own architectural practice today.

 

What is your favorite aspect of working at Studio W Architects?

My favorite part about working at Studio W Architects is the variety of projects I have been able to work on. My days could consist of creatively designing a civic center expansion, technically implementing a school theater lighting remodel or coordinating with subconsultants on a DSA submittal for a new school campus. The diversity in work and opportunities to learn and grow always keeps me on my toes.

What project have you worked on at Studio W that made you grow the most professionally? Why?

I was able to work with Tony Pacheco-Taylor on the Murrieta Valley High School Theater Lighting Upgrades. This project required me to have a large amount of coordination with both electrical and theater lighting consultants. It also provided learning opportunities to understand a lot of technical aspects of a theater design.