Hi there friends + family, Mariah here.

 

My Story:

Some of you have been following my tiny house journey for a while. I spent 5+ years building my tiny house and with that, leveled up my skills in architecture, construction, and project management.

 

In 2001 we moved from Chicago to Arizona for my Mom’s job. A lonely 10 year old city kid plopped in the desert. My mom knew I had an interest in architecture, and between her 2 jobs she took me to places like Taliesin West, Arcosanti, and Montezuma Castle. Those core memories stuck with me over the years. Although Arizona holds memories of my most intense family trauma, I finally feel ready to come back and (re)build a decade later. I’ve grown/ grounded, found my agency, and built my own tiny house along the way. After weighing out the grad school decision for many years the timing is finally right.

 

2021 was a hard, lonely, financially challenging year after leaving a toxic job. I went inward and tried my best to reset my nervous system after years of survival mode. From that quiet came the clarity to go back to school. Not just any school, but one with desert design/ build emphasis. Synchronicities kept bringing TSOA back into focus.

 

I’m thrilled to be starting my Masters of Architecture at The School of Architecture this Fall. The program, founded by Frank Lloyd Wright, is now currently housed at Arcosanti, Arizona. After a decade in California, ya girl is coming back to the Desert! I’m beyond excited to join the TSOA family and build upon my self-taught experience in construction and architecture. After this program, I will qualify to pursue my Architectural License! 

 

As I start my 3-year program this fall, I am coordinating to move my tiny house to Arcosanti. This move itself will be cost-prohibitive as I am currently on a limited income (My part-time adjunct contract ended in May).

 

There’s still a LOT to sort out in the coming months as I navigate a tiny house move, coordinating things with my partner, and organizing my business. More details to come, but I’m genuinely SO EXCITED for this next phase of my journey.

 

My Ask:

As I start my 3-year program in August, I am coordinating to move my tiny house to Arcosanti. This move itself will be cost-prohibitive as I am currently on a limited income (My part-time adjunct contract ended in May). Although I have received scholarships for this program, I have costs associated with the move and getting set up by August. I humbly ask for any donations from my community to help support this move/ transition.

 

My Projected Costs: