architect
+natural builder
+educator
MARK GOLDMAN, BORN IN TUCSON, AZ, IS BOTH AN ARChITECT AND A BUILDER. THE FIRST MONDAY AFTER GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL, HE WAS INTRODUCED TO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY BY HIS STEP-FATHER, DICK, WHO WAS A CLASS A UNION CARPENTER. THIS BEGAN A LIFELONG LOVE OF BOTH the design and physical process of making buildings.
he has b.a. degree in studio art from the university of california, santa barbara, and his professional degree in architecture from the boston architectural college, where he is the 2004 distinguished alumni, and received the dean archangelo cascieri scholarship, and aia foundation scholarship for affordable housing.
3 days after defending his professional thesis, mark loaded up his pick-up truck in boston for a one year adventure to taos, new mexico, where he found a thriving culture of natural building. this turned into home.
mark founded onyx construction/design in 1991 and has been designing and building both commercial and residential structures ever since. this has evolved into two separate companies, mark goldman architect aia, and onyx construction inc.
as an architect, mark is focused upon the intersection of traditional and natural techniques, utilizing the best of evolving technologieS.
he believes that working in a rural environment requires a holistic approach that values the landscape, the social context, as well as the technical execution of the architecture. this perspective was developed through his respect and admiration of the indigenous and hispanic cultures whose influence he has blended with the modern architectural world.
“i had to piece together my construction education by working in the field and combining professional work with formal education. through the unm construction technology program, i can teach my students real-life construction skills, thought processes, and lessons learned from a lifetime of blood, sweat, and tears on construction sites. i am trying to prepare students for the reality of construction, not just the theory.”
-mark goldman, unm taos
unsung hero 2023
Mark has a deep understanding that architecture is a social art. designing and building the dreamtree project, starting in 1999, was the seed of community architectural and construction engagement. he was awarded unsung hero by taos news, in 2023, where he was recognized for the ongoing process of building for this community and for his teaching and mentoring at the unm taos construction technology department.
