About Mel




I am currently a Masters student at USC- University of Southern California.
I am studying Heritage Conservation which is based in the School of Architecture.
I returned to school after working in and observing the public history and arts + culture sectors in California.  
Through my studies and research I hope to help shift perspectives and increase investment and appreciation for heritage conservation.

California Preservationist


Working to document underacknolwedged histories and cultures into the public record.


→ Thesis Research:

Restoring the Paths to Dwell in: Gender Reconciliation of Lincoln Heights Jail

In my thesis I argue that historic carceral heritage facilities should be preserved because they represent early 20th century histories of first wave feminists and working class Queer women. To do this I present the history of Lincoln Heights Jail, a 96 -year-old jail in Los Angeles, California and its associated women's history which has been underacknowledged. Then I analyze additional U.S carceral heritage sites associated with women.  Through my research I found most women's carceral heritage is intangible and so the preservation field needs to prioritize saving the remaining physical sites.

→ Project 1:

ARCH 558-  Fundamentals of Place-keeping: Empathy, Inclusion, & Continuity & Change

Researching the Urban Design of (New) Chinatown Los Angeles to determine how to the city can preserve the cooridor’s cultural essence and vendor informality while providing flexibility for new housing and business development .

→ Project 2:

ARCH 552-  Intro to Historic Site Documentation

Researching the  Maryknoll School established in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles by  St. Francis Xavier Japanese Catholic Church in 1921.  Documenting the historic and cultural significance 212 S Bidwell Street, Los Angeles, California. 

→ Project 3:

ARCH 549-  Fundamentals of Heritage Conservation

I researched the Reuse and Rehabilitation of Hotel Figueroa in Downtown Los Angeles, which took place 2015-2018 according to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.
Hotel Figueroa was funded, designed, constructed, and operated by the Young Women’s Christian Association of Los Angeles.  The project was completed in 1926   It served as lodging for single women and women artisans, activists, business owners, and other professionals.