MAPP Alumni Spotlight: Lucinda Philumalee, MHP 2010, MRED 2012
Lucinda (Lu) Philumalee is a bit like Clark Kent. By day, she works as a mild-mannered estimator at Harkins Builders, where she budgets and estimate projects for construction on a rolling basis, about one every three weeks. Yet, when 5:00 rolls around, she morphs into a bit of a super hero, volunteering for Preservation Maryland and their new initiative, Six to Fix. Six to Fix pools funding, resources and manpower to transform endangered resources into preserved ones. Six to Fix concentrates their efforts on six special projects a year, which can range from historic restoration and documentation to projection; this year’s slate includes Ellicott City flood recovery and the repair of historic Maryland cemeteries.
Below, Lu talks about leveraging fitness into “fixing,” the new LEED and—just in time for summer—some great beach reads:
Notable project from this past year: Right now I am laser-focused on a soul project for the Preservation Maryland Six-to-Fix, which is an innovative program designed to save threatened resources statewide. Preservation Maryland invests seed funding, expert professional staff and volunteer time along with statewide advocacy and outreach efforts to move projects toward preservation. The Six-to-Fix Fitness Tour is a series of charity fitness classes at different studios throughout the state of Maryland: [solidicore], CrossFit Iniquus, The Dailey Method, SweetBay Yoga and BeachFit Baltimore are our studio sponsors. Tickets are $38, include tee shirts, gift bags and raffle entries for tours and tastings to Maryland-based distilleries and wineries. Proceeds go to Six-to-Fix.
A new tool or technology you cannot live without: It isn't particularly new, but quantity takeoff software is crucial to estimating. My favorite is On Screen Takeoff, with Bluebeam at a close second.
Innovation/Idea for shaping the built environment that you think holds promise: In five years, the WELL Building Standard is going to be as big as LEED. Like LEED, WELL is a rating system comprised of credits; however, rather than focusing on sustainability, it focuses on human health. There are so many synergies between the credits of the two rating systems, you will start seeing buildings certified as both WELL and LEED very soon.
The last great book you read: Party of One by Dave Holmes is a hilarious memoir and the perfect beach read. You Couldn't Ignore Me if You Tried by Susannah Gora got me through some intense turbulence on a trans-Atlantic flight.
What’s next: I will be working on the Preservation Maryland Six-to-Fix Fitness Tour throughout May and June, taking the WELL AP exam in July, and getting married in September.