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Marissa McMurtrie Howard, AIA

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Marissa has almost 15 years of experience on a wide range of projects including retail, theater, single family and multi-family residential projects. In the past seven years, she has mainly focused on multi-family residential projects of various scales and construction types including an 18-story concrete structure, an 8-story concrete plank and metal stud bearing wall building and mid-rise podium projects. The most unique project that Marissa has managed is 3600 Lancaster which partially demolished the rear of 16 historically designated townhouses and added a 4-story addition and a 6-story podium building. Each floor had at least four finished floor elevations to deal with the substantial grade change of the site and the existing finished floor conditions of upper levels of the townhouses. The existing ground floor and brick demising wall of each townhouse was demolished to create larger retail spaces. At 1101 Walnut, Marissa worked through various schemes and designs over two years with the developer studying the right unit mix and building size and configuration. The Team worked closely with the City of Philadelphia’s City Planning Commission, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and the Washington Square West Civic Association. Marissa enjoys being involved with mentoring and Team Fun at JKRP. Outside the office, Marissa enjoys trying out new recipes and hiking with her two children and husband.

What’s your dream car?

Subaru Outback Wagon – I know it’s a little boring. However, I want to load it up and drive it all around. A Vintage Airstream is my retirement dream vehicle. I have a long way to go on that one though.

Favorite building in Philadelphia?

Academy of Music – It’s a timeless beauty.

Favorite office supply?

Post-it notes of various colors and sizes.

Favorite TV show?

Seinfeld, Modern Family, or Parks and Rec – anything that could make me laugh after a long day.

Favorite restaurant in the city?

Zahav – I could eat the salatim (eight starter salads) and hummus daily.

You’re forced to carry around a boombox for the rest of your life and you can only play one song. What song do you pick?

This is a hard one. It’s gotta be from the ’80s so I can properly bop along...Either Billy Idol’s “Dancing with Myself” or Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy.”