DALLIN JEX VARNER
I am a fourth-year architecture student at Utah Valley University with over six years of professional experience in the residential solar industry, primarily focusing on drafting and design. I’m now looking to transition fully into the Architecture field, where I can build on my technical knowledge and deepen my understanding of architectural practice.
My experience with CAD and Drafting began in high school and has grown ever since. I joined Blue Raven Solar after my first semester of college when I was looking for any job that used AutoCAD, but was happy to find one that had a real-world impact. I created solar installation plan sets for a variety of jurisdictions across the country, adapting designs and drawings to meet the specific requirements of the many AHJ’s and utility companies across 15+ metro markets. This has given me practical experience with AHJs, Utilities, and buildings codes like the NEC and IRC.
Over time I became well known with colleagues as having a keen eye for quality, both of our deliverables and the experience of our customers. I moved into more quality-focused roles, including working directly with field and installation crews to troubleshoot on-site issues. Later, I became a Design Team Lead, where I helped train new hires in drafting standards and workflows. Teaching others how to use AutoCAD from the ground up became a key part of my responsibilities and gave me valuable leadership and communication experience. It also continued to let me help impact the quality of our designs, plans and interactions with other teams.
While working, I’ve been pursuing a Bachelor of Architecture in a five-year program grounded in classical architecture and its design principles. The first two years earned me an associate degree in Engineering Design Technology. In my architecture courses, I’ve used Revit, Sketchup, and AutoCAD extensively and am especially interested in developing more advanced skills using Revit in a professional setting.