Melody Osborne

Melody joined MBFA in July 2009 after relocating from Tampa, Florida, where she worked for three years gaining experience in commercial, educational and multi-family projects.  She enjoys working in a small firm like MBFA, where she is involved throughout all phases of design and construction administration.  

Melody’s interest in architecture grew when she traveled to England, Scotland, France and Italy as a study abroad student.  She went on to study architecture at Louisiana State University, where she gained understanding of modern architectural theories and had the opportunity to study the unique vernacular architecture of Louisiana and the southeastern states.

Melody believes that the practice of architecture is grounded in experience and is a delicate balance of many factors: function, materials and construction methods, budget, schedule, bidding climate, codes, and of course design.  Designing in context of site and place and for how people live, work, play, and interact with each other and their communities.  She believes that architecture should be of its time; avoiding simply being nostalgic or mimicking in nature.  However, Melody holds that modern architecture must also be human, and subscribes to the mantra of O’Neil Ford, “Modernism needs to be tactile and responsive to content, starting with climate and place and using local crafts and materials.”

Education

Master of Architecture, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge LA, 2006

Bachelor of Science, Interior Design, Florida State University, Tallahassee FL, 2003

Study Abroad, Interior Design International Program through Europe, Florida State University, 2002

Professional Credentials/Awards

Associate Member, AIA, since 2008

New Bern Young Professionals Group, since 2010

Board Member, H.A.L.O. Foundation, a non-profit (501c3) corporation that serves the needs of Angels Unaware, Inc. and the developmentally disabled, Tampa, FL, 2008-2009

Scholarship Award, ‘Outstanding Performance in Design’ by Network of Executive Women in Hospitality, Inc., Sunshine Chapter, 2002