SADAH Alumna awarded for career excellence and achievement
Liz MacLean (‘01) was recently named the 2023-24 SADAH Alumni Achievement Award winner for her career in architecture
School of Art Design and Art History
James Madison University
James Madison University Alumna, Liz MacLean (‘01), was recently named the 2023-24 School of Art, Design, and Art History (SADAH) Alumni Achievement Award winner.
SADAH faculty continue their relationships with past students and recognize outstanding work by nominating Alumni for the annual Alumni Achievement Award. SADAH areas of study take turns giving the award each year, and this year, Architectural Design faculty nominated Interior Design Alumna Liz MacLean.
MacLean began her undergraduate career in the Integrated Science and Technology (ISAT) program in 1997. After spending a few years in ISAT, MacLean realized she needed a change and searched for advice before switching to SADAH. "Luckily, Bill Tate had just started the Industrial Design program – a mix of art, interior design, and science classes," shares MacLean. "I remained at JMU, switched to an Interior Design major, graduated on time, and developed a portfolio to apply to graduate schools." By switching directions and moving to SADAH, MacLean could work with Tate and take Industrial Design classes while also pursuing an Interior Design major, which would later become Interior Architecture, before transitioning to its current form as Architectural Design.
After earning her degree from JMU, MacLean moved across the country to start graduate studies at the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) in the Fall of 2001. There, she studied alongside "peers who came to architecture from all different backgrounds," and worked at Frank Gehry’s office. She credits SADAH with preparing her for these experiences and instilling a deep appreciation for design. MacLean earned her Master of Architecture from SCI-Arc in 2006 and now works as a Principal at Architectural Resources Group’s Los Angeles office. There, she specializes in projects relating to historic buildings.
"What I love about our work is that every single project is nuanced, and the scale ranges from a handrail to a master plan. I have had the honor of working on some of my favorite buildings in Southern California - the Eames House & Studio, developing their master plan for future improvements; the Norton Simon Museum, designing exterior upgrades and restoring its façade clad with Heath Ceramic tiles; and right now, being a part of the preservation team working to orchestrate the careful disassembly of Wayfarers Chapel," shares MacLean.
"It was such a gift to receive this award. It gave me the time and space to step away from my day-to-day life, reflect, and reconnect with my design roots at JMU."
- Liz MacLean
2024 SADAH Alumni Achievement Award Winner
2024 SADAH Alumni Achievement Award Winner
MacLean's impressive career undoubtedly made her a top candidate for SADAH's Alumni Achievement Award. "It was such a gift to receive this award. It gave me the time and space to step away from my day-to-day life, reflect, and reconnect with my design roots at JMU," she says. MacLean is the third Alumni Achievement Award recipient from the Architectural Design department, and she credits the opportunities and connections made from her education for her success. "It is all about hard work, but it is also about all the amazing people you meet and learn from along the way," shares MacLean.
She points specifically to Bill Tate, Professor of Architectural and Industrial Design. "Tate is one of those teachers you come across once in a lifetime. He has inspired an entire generation of architects and designers at JMU. His curiosity and enthusiasm are contagious and something I continue to strive towards. He is a lifelong mentor," says MacLean.
After being named the 2023-24 Alumni Achievement Award winner, MacLean visited SADAH to participate in Architectural Design's undergraduate thesis reviews as a guest critic and spoke to students about her career. “I was so impressed with how much the program has grown in size and caliber," shares MacLean.
"The shops and studios are state of the art, the faculty was engaging, and the students' work was insightful and inspiring. SADAH has the same energy as when I was a student but at a much more impressive scale," says MacLean.
MacLean encourages SADAH students to make the most of their time at JMU and fully immerse themselves in the learning and design process. "Try to enjoy school while you are in it, especially those classes you might not think you want to take," she says. "You might find that some things become more interesting in retrospect."