Who did you meet with today?

Today we had the opportunity to meet with Mary Grace Houlihan.

Where do they work? What does the company do?

Mary Grace works with Pacific Charter School Development, a nonprofit organization that supports charter schools in finding affordable, quality facilities through site acquisition, project management, and financing. The mission of the organization is to break the systemic inequality in education by scaling educational opportunities for students in communities that have been under-resourced.

What did you learn today? What were some highlights?

Today I was enlightened by the work of the crucial thoughts and necessities that come with work in architecture for public schools. I was also shown the process which makes these plans more realistic and attainable. Processes, such as construction modifications to public schools or other state-funded buildings, are reviewed to ensure specifications and other modifications comply with California’s codes, like Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. Especially for public schools, DSA ensures the modifications follow the rules of California codes to comply with structural safety as well as things such as fire and life safety and even accessibility and sustainability.

What insights did you gain into the field of real estate development?

This opportunity has opened my mind to the complexity of California codes. I was not aware of this complexity and the effect it had on how buildings are constructed and modified and how the rules and regulations limit the opportunity of other modifications due to it having to pass the review of safety issues and other essential rules. This also informs me of the complexity of public schools being built due to having to undergo a lot of restrictions in order to ensure safety of children.

What did you find the most interesting about the field after today?

Many times, we see rules as a limit to your brain creativity, but something I found most interesting is in the way it opens my mind to new ideas that can not only follow the rules and regulations of the California codes but still live up to the expectations of creativity and how it all comes to life. I also enjoyed being able to discover the full process that goes before construction and development because most people don’t see the behind the scenes of how buildings are made. Finally, I appreciated the opportunity I was given to see the creation process and the vision of how modifications can be created in real life just as visualized in one’s mind.