Julie Junkin graduated with a Bachelors of Architecture degree from the University of Texas in Austin in 1987. Her first job out of college was with an energy consulting company, where she worked closely with utility companies, performing residential and commercial energy audits throughout Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.
In the fall of 1988, she moved to the west coast to pursue her architectural career. As an intern, she started her career with a small architectural firm in San Diego, CA specializing in forensic architecture. The next two years were spent surveying and documenting countless buildings with varying construction defects and by the end, she had a firm grasp on how "not to design it".
Julie's internship continued in Los Angeles from 1990-1994 with a small architectural firm in Santa Monica. The firm's clients and projects were diverse and the experience varied. Projects consisted of custom residential, new retail and office projects, urban infill projects, master-planning for a multi-acre historical site, and numerous seismic-retrofit projects. After the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the firm was tapped by the City of Santa Monica to help assess their structures for earthquake damage. We worked directly with FEMA documenting damaged buildings throughout Santa Monica.
The next several years were spent doing energy consulting work in Texas, San Diego, and throughout California, including managing a refrigerator recycling, energy conservation program through San Diego Gas & Electric.
In 1998 Julie moved to the East Coast, and with that, came a new career opportunity. The job was with an engineering and environmental company doing real estate due diligence work, which consisted of property condition evaluations, facility condition assessments, construction management, construction monitoring, and ADA assessments for commercial properties across the country. This work provided valuable technical experience and a strong knowledge of various building types and their complete systems. This work continues to be a staple of J-Squared Architects to this day.
In 2000, Julie founded J-Squared Design, LLC, providing architectural services in Ellicott City, MD and the surrounding area. Projects ranged widely from small residential projects to multi-level additions, gut rehabs, and new construction. Commercial projects consisted of tenant improvement design and build-outs, office and retail projects, hospitality, restaurant, and medical projects. Much of the work involved presentations and adherence to municipality historic district requirements. The practice grew through the next 15-years through word-of-mouth. Her relationships with clients and city and county officials were beneficial to her success.
Upon relocation to Denver, CO in 2015, J-Squared Architects, LLC was established. In 2023, Julie moved back to Maryland. As principal and sole proprietor, Julie handles all projects from start to finish calling on various consultants as required. Julie is an NCARB certified architect and holds licenses in Colorado, California, Maryland, and Texas. She was certified as a LEED AP in 2004 and strives to design energy efficient and environmentally friendly buildings for her clients.
