My name is Kuzma Nefedov, and my career in architectural sheet metal began as a general laborer for a small contractor in Northern California. Within a year, I was leading field crews as a foreman—a role I held for over thirteen years. Those years on the job site taught me lessons I still carry with me: the importance of precision, the reality of coordination breakdowns, and the value of clear, timely communication.

As time went on, I transitioned from field work into project management and returned to school to strengthen my foundation. I earned a Bachelor of Architecture with a minor in Construction Management from NewSchool of Architecture and Design in San Diego. During that time, I joined San Diego Sheet Metal as a Senior Project Manager, where I had the opportunity to work closely with design teams, contractors, and owners on a variety of large and technically demanding projects. I now also teach part-time at NewSchool, sharing practical insight with both architecture and construction management students through courses in Environmental Systems and Estimating.

Throughout my career, I’ve been involved in a wide range of project types, each with its own challenges and lessons. What remained consistent was how often critical detailing decisions were made without the benefit of hands-on insight. With this consulting practice, my goal is to share that insight openly—giving teams an opportunity to make informed, thoughtful decisions rooted in real-world experience.