ABOUT
connor holden
Connor Holden is a trained architectural designer, renowned for his versatility across various scales and mediums. Throughout his career, Connor has cultivated a deep passion for design, finding spiritual fulfillment in creativity while continuously advancing his digital and artisanal skills. His professional journey has led to the creation of many timeless spaces, encompassing both historic renovations and new architectural builds, as well as master plans, rendered visualizations, architectural sculptures, and bespoke interior products.
A proud alumnus of the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Architecture, Connor remains committed to lifelong learning, regularly participating in courses and conferences to expand his knowledge beyond traditional architecture, always with the goal of enhancing his creative capabilities. Outside of his professional pursuits, he dedicates himself to "Casa La Madera," his personal case study home in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. This ongoing project serves as a laboratory for integrating his professional, personal, and academic experiences into a single project, one that does not have an end but is a continuous expression of creativity.
Education
University of Arizona - CAPLA (2013 - 2018)
Major:
Degree:
Architecture
Bachelor of Architecture
Pima County Community College (2019)
Focus:
Blacksmithing
ELVTR (2024)
Focus:
"Become A Technical Artist" - Certificate of Completion and Exceptional Performance
Design Morphine (2020 + 2023)
Focus:
Computational Design: NEXT 1.0 (2020)
Focus:
Microbial Drift 1.0 (2023)
professional experiences
Studio CABAN (March 2023 - April 2024)
About:
Studio CABAN is an internationally recognized architecture firm specializing in large luxury hospitality projects. The firm is known for its meticulous attention to user experience, architectural materiality, and the expression of the spiritual essence of local sites.
Role:
Lead Project Manager and Project Designer, responsible for the production of 3D models, renders, architectural diagrams, construction documents and details, and master planning, ensuring high quality and coherence with project visions.
Hazelbaker Rush (May 2018 - Feb. 2023)
About:
Hazelbaker Rush is a boutique architecture firm renowned for its exceptional attention to detail. The firm focuses on local historic renovations, commercial renovations, new architectural builds, and the creation of handmade architectural products and features.
Role:
Input and production of architectural design and details including but not limited to 3D models, renderings, hand sketching, production of construction documents, project management, client relations, and hands-on shop work involving metal, wood and ceramics.
Helen Street Studio Digital Fabrication and Computation Design Consultant (2019 - 2020)
About:
Helen Street Studio is a collaborative artist space shared by Troy Neiman and Zack Lihatsh. Each artist brings unique talents to the studio—Troy specializes in metal fabrication, while Zack excels as an artisan blacksmith. Together, their collaborative works transform into dynamic steel sculptures, showcasing a seamless blend of their skills.
Role:
Guided the digital design process, detailed construction planning, and managed the manufacturing process, aligning digital techniques with traditional craftsmanship.