DESIGNER || CO-CONSPIRATOR
With an eclectic professional background ranging from education to residential estates and specialized commercial tenant improvements, Kanoa approaches design as both a co-conspirator and researcher. He excels at collaborative design, advocating for project visions while meticulously understanding contextual nuances.
His strengths lie in his ability to synthesize complex design parameters, communicate effectively across teams, and develop sustainable workflows in fast-paced environments.
His design language is fundamentally about human-scale interactions, grounded in evidence-based design. He brings a unique perspective that values the stories, histories, and contexts embedded in spaces, furniture, and objects.
- AWARDS -
2020 Outstanding Interior Architecture Design Award
from Kansas State University - IAID Department
from Kansas State University - IAID Department
2020 Jack Durgan Interior Architecture and Industrial Design Award
from Kansas State University - IAID Department
from Kansas State University - IAID Department
2020 APDesign Interdisciplinary Design
Charrette and Scholarship Competition
First Prize Winning Team with G. Urban and K. Larkin
Kansas State University Publication
Charrette and Scholarship Competition
First Prize Winning Team with G. Urban and K. Larkin
Kansas State University Publication
2019 Angelo Donghia Foundation Scholarship
$30,000 Scholarship Recipient
Kansas State University Publication
$30,000 Scholarship Recipient
Kansas State University Publication
2018 Steelcase NEXT Student Design Competition
First Prize Winner
Steelcase Publication
Kansas State University Publication
First Prize Winner
Steelcase Publication
Kansas State University Publication
- EDUCATION -
Interior Architecture and Product Design Master's
College of Architecture, Planning, and Design
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS
August 2015 - August 2020
College of Architecture, Planning, and Design
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS
August 2015 - August 2020
Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Dean’s Honor List
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Dean’s Honor List
Centro Studi Città di Orvieto
Italian Studies Program
Orvieto, Italy
Spring 2019
Italian Studies Program
Orvieto, Italy
Spring 2019
- EXPERIENCE -
Captaining the implementation of the project design visions with a focus on technical design development
and constructability from conception to completion. Channeling personal and team skills to
manage project delivery and elevate quality of work in all phases.
Aspiring to empower colleagues in their work wherever possible.
and constructability from conception to completion. Channeling personal and team skills to
manage project delivery and elevate quality of work in all phases.
Aspiring to empower colleagues in their work wherever possible.
Amassed experience across multiple phases of residential, hospitality, and commercial
tenant improvement projects. Grew into technical literacy for project documentation,
permitting and delivery, client & consultant coordination, and lateral mentorship.
tenant improvement projects. Grew into technical literacy for project documentation,
permitting and delivery, client & consultant coordination, and lateral mentorship.
ARCHITECTURAL PROJECT DESIGNER - Kelly & Stone Architects
Steamboat Springs, CO
June 2021 - February 2022
Steamboat Springs, CO
June 2021 - February 2022
Served in the execution of architectural design development and construction documentation;
interior schematic design, design development and construction documentation;
and aided in the construction of regionally relevant construction details for high end residential projects.
Projects worked on are located across North America:
Lake Tahoe, CA + NV; Steamboat Springs, CO; Kauai, HI; British Columbia, Canada; and Big Bear Lake, CA.
interior schematic design, design development and construction documentation;
and aided in the construction of regionally relevant construction details for high end residential projects.
Projects worked on are located across North America:
Lake Tahoe, CA + NV; Steamboat Springs, CO; Kauai, HI; British Columbia, Canada; and Big Bear Lake, CA.
STUDIO INSTRUCTOR - Kansas State University + Department of IAID
Manhattan, KS + Online Interfacing
January 2021 - May 2021
Manhattan, KS + Online Interfacing
January 2021 - May 2021
Empowered 2nd-year Interior Architecture and Industrial Design students in their studio coursework. Developed projects and briefs, provoked progress, and sculpted a basis of excellence while diving into the world of design. Projects presented included a luminaire, a sketchbook exploration, and an adaptive reuse housing solution set in a zombie apocalypse.
DESIGNER + FABRICATOR - Colorado Teardrop Trailers
Boulder, CO
October 2020 - March 2021
Boulder, CO
October 2020 - March 2021
Led in the integration of digital fabrication technologies for the company, serving
various roles in the production of the trailers, and providing insights for the progression of the startup business.
various roles in the production of the trailers, and providing insights for the progression of the startup business.
GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT - APDesign + IAPD
Manhattan, KS
August 2019 - May 2020
Manhattan, KS
August 2019 - May 2020
Assisted in teaching and fostering skills in Visual Communications (I + II), providing
instruction on hand-skills, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Rhino, and V-Ray. Responsibilities included
developing presentations, providing student aid, grading assignments and coordinating
with multiple faculty members.
instruction on hand-skills, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Rhino, and V-Ray. Responsibilities included
developing presentations, providing student aid, grading assignments and coordinating
with multiple faculty members.
FACULTY SEARCH COMMITTEE - APDesign + IAPD
Manhattan, KS
January 2020 - March 2020
Manhattan, KS
January 2020 - March 2020
Worked with the Interior Architecture and Product Design faculty to review,
interview, host, and select new tenured faculty.
interview, host, and select new tenured faculty.
RESIDENTIAL LEARNING ASSISTANT - APDesign + K-State First
Manhattan, KS
August 2019 - May 2020
Manhattan, KS
August 2019 - May 2020
Served as a live-in mentor for the APDesign First-Year Community. Responsibilities included facilitating workshops for
design skills development, study sessions for academic development, and community events for social growth.
Actively pushed students to challenge themselves and grow during their first year in Environmental Design.
Consistently grew as a leader, team member, and was humbled by the generations of designers to come.
design skills development, study sessions for academic development, and community events for social growth.
Actively pushed students to challenge themselves and grow during their first year in Environmental Design.
Consistently grew as a leader, team member, and was humbled by the generations of designers to come.
DESIGNER - Rhino Cubed LLC
Boulder, CO
May 2018 - December 2018
Boulder, CO
May 2018 - December 2018
Facilitated four separate shipping container tiny home designs through conceptual design,
schematic design, and design development. Created marketing materials, conducted
surveys, and provided insight for company growth.
Learned about start ups, independence, and the benefits of a strong team.
schematic design, and design development. Created marketing materials, conducted
surveys, and provided insight for company growth.
Learned about start ups, independence, and the benefits of a strong team.
PEER EDUCATOR - College of APDesign
Manhattan, KS
August 2016 - May 2020
Manhattan, KS
August 2016 - May 2020
Participated in the educational development of first-year environmental design students.
Sought out opportunities to expand their knowledge of design and aid them in finding their
values as designers by empowering them whenever possible.
Actively engaged with students to build community and increase their skill set as designers.
Sought out opportunities to expand their knowledge of design and aid them in finding their
values as designers by empowering them whenever possible.
Actively engaged with students to build community and increase their skill set as designers.
PLOT CLUB PRESIDENT - College of APDesign
Manhattan, KS
October 2017 - October 2018
Manhattan, KS
October 2017 - October 2018
Oversaw the in-house printing and plotting facilities of APDesign. Coordinated with faculty
and students to maintain stock, financial order, and college satisfaction. Represent the
students of the organization in the Dean’s Student Advisory Council.
Sought to empower individuals and provide the college the best service possible.
and students to maintain stock, financial order, and college satisfaction. Represent the
students of the organization in the Dean’s Student Advisory Council.
Sought to empower individuals and provide the college the best service possible.
WAREHOUSE ASSISTANT - AsterHouse Design
Manhattan, KS
February 2018 - May 2018
Manhattan, KS
February 2018 - May 2018
Maintained the warehouse functions in an organized, efficient fashion. Assembled furniture,
arranged and organized the warehouse as directed. Prepared and received shipments.
Grew to understand back of house functions of a multi-service interior design firm.
arranged and organized the warehouse as directed. Prepared and received shipments.
Grew to understand back of house functions of a multi-service interior design firm.
HORTICULTURE ASSISTANT - City of Manhattan - Parks Dept
Manhattan, KS
May 2017 - August 2017
Manhattan, KS
May 2017 - August 2017
Provided assistance to the Horticulture Department in installations, maintenance, repair, and
general tasks regarding city parks, planters, and living floral details.
Practiced in honest labor that added to the well being of the community.
general tasks regarding city parks, planters, and living floral details.
Practiced in honest labor that added to the well being of the community.
- SKILLS -
3D Skills: Revit, ArchiCAD, Rhinoceros, V-Ray, Enscape
Digital Communication: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Microsoft Office
Hand Skills: Hand Sketching, Illustrating, Rendering
Shop Skills: Woodworking, Digital Fabrication, Basic Metal Fabrication
Soft Skills: Leadership, Adaptability, Critical Problem Solving, Patience