Bio:

As The Community Builders’ Senior Interior Design Manager, Amanda Coplan Peña leads TCB’s design efforts across the non-profit's portfolio of more than 12,000 apartment homes, community amenities, and commercial spaces. She is an NCIDQ-certified Interior Designer, Professional Member of ASID, and LEED Accredited Professional with a specialty in Interior Design and Construction. She holds a degree in Interior Design from Harrington College of Design and received her B.A. in English Language and Literature from the University of Chicago.

Ms. Peña’s responsibilities at TCB range from initial project concept review and space planning to amenity and unit design, architectural finish selections, FF&E specifications and procurement, and management of third-party ID firms. She chairs TCB’s Design Committee, which reviews every new property at schematic design and provides formal comments to each project architect. In the past seven years, Design Review has provided design and construction guidance and standardization to more than 70 projects. Ms. Peña also manages relationships and selections with national vendors, and maintains TCB’s Standards for Design & Construction.

Before joining TCB, Ms. Peña worked in high-end residential design in Chicago for ten years. Prior to her design career, Ms. Peña served as Acquisitions Manager at the National Equity Fund, a low-income housing tax credit syndicator, placing more than $25 million of investment funds per year into the company’s affordable housing portfolio.

Where do you currently work? 

The Community Builders, Inc.

Where did you graduate from, and with what degree? 

Harrington College of Design, Arts Associate

What is your favorite movie or show? 

Blazing Saddles

What was the last book you read? (or currently reading) 

"Rogue Justice" by Stacey Abrams

What is your favorite color? 

Deep dark emerald green

What is your favorite thing about ASID?   

Community.

What is your favorite thing about interior design? (the profession or the industry)

Having the opportunity to make people's lives better, easier, and more joyful.