Frances is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Architecture, Design & Urbanism teaching studio and seminar courses. Additionally, she served as the director of the graduate programs in Interior Architecture & Design.
Prior to Drexel, Frances was a Visiting Instructor with the Interior Design Program in the School of Architecture + Design at Virginia Tech for three years where she taught third and fourth year, as well as senior thesis, design studios and the Building Systems lecture class. She also served on several Master of Interior Design thesis committees and participated on review juries for both architecture and interior design.
While at Virginia Tech, Frances’ research included ancient methods of water management in the built environment and how these may have applications in contemporary society. Believing strongly in interdisciplinary collaboration, she has worked on academic projects bringing together architects, landscape architects, industrial and interior designers. Frances also actively studies the cultural cross-pollination of interior design with fashion, politics, economics and technology.
An award-winning practicing architect, Frances’ professional background includes extensive experience with corporate and high-end residential work, as well as museum exhibit design, theater/performance space design, retail and work-place design. Her projects and clients include The City of Philadelphia, PECO Energy, The Cherry Lane Theater (NYC), The Museum of Art and Design (NYC), Lighthouse International (NYC), Marin Community Foundation (Marin, CA), Oakland Museum of California, Levi’s, Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Discovery Channel, Footlocker, L.L. Bean and Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.
Frances is an active member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). She is licensed in New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania and is an accredited LEED Green Associate.