29 years ago today, Bruce and Dwain officially founded DLA Architects.

They and their partners hosted a luncheon at the office to celebrate.

In the opening speech, on behalf of all the partners, Eric Sickbert said “We understand the importance of each of you in accomplishing what we are doing here at DLA. If it wasn’t for all of you doing what you do, with such excellence, we wouldn’t have the success that we had or have. Thanks go to everyone here. Each of you do matter in making DLA successful.”

The DLA Leadership Team also took the opportunity to recognize this year’s employee milestones:

Eric Kretschmer celebrated his 5 year anniversary last year on December 11.

Eric has been part of our elite team of licensed architects leading numerous difficult projects. Eric works with Crystal Lake School District, Mendota, Westminster and Cantigny Park. For each client Eric has delivered great service and successful projects.

An Illinois School Code expert, Eric took on U46 life safety surveys for all 50 + buildings and using his outstanding management abilities did an outstanding job; not a small task.

One of the most exciting projects Eric has completed was the Birnberg residence, a multimillion dollar internationally designed residence with unique and difficult details. In all his work, the final results are satisfied clients.

Shannon Baird celebrated her 10 year anniversary last year on April 29.

Shannon is a member of our exceptional team of architects.

One of her major accomplishments was a renovation project at one of the oldest, largest buildings in School District U46. It was a very successful project with everyone very pleased with the outcome of their working environment.

Since then she has taken the lead role on the teams for ECC and FRWRD. Those projects are going well, too. 

Wendy Covich celebrated her 15 year anniversary last year on October 28.

Wendy is a social media guru, a great asset to the marketing team and her personality and fresh ideas are always welcomed and greatly appreciated.

She has a unique, creative, perspective that pushes the envelope of our standard thinking and makes us pause and think.

That is always important; Bringing new and different ideas to the table is not only important to the marketing team but to all of our office.

Alex Romanovsky as of January reached his 15 years working with DLA.

Alex operates as our resident ER doctor of graphic design.

He is ready to take on any challenge at the drop of a hat and he is prepared to dig in and make sure he can do everything in his power to see that our best image is illustrated.

Often faced with deadlines or project schedules beyond his control, Alex handles it well and maintains his cool.

Matt Stoub will be working with us 5 years in May.

Matt is a skilled job captain with many talents. He excels in managing multiple projects with multiple architects giving him direction.

Matt is very dedicated and always willing to put in the extra effort to get a project out to meet the strenuous time schedules that we sometimes have. His documents and details provide limited questions in the field indicating his talent in producing details and creating excellent working drawings.

A key contributor in the DLA Social Committee, Matt ensures office events take off without a hitch and works to keep office morale high.

A rising star in the design area of architecture, Matt played a major role in the design of our new office, as well as the new offices for MAXIMUM Independent Brokerage.

Arturo Benitez will be working with us 5 years in July.

A member of our exceptional team of architects Arturo has a magical briefcase that carries the paper correspondence answer to any contractor or client question. He is amazingly organized and detail oriented which is evident by his clients’ accolades.

Arturo has been working almost exclusively at Ridgewood School District which has been necessary in order to manage the behemoth, multi-year, multi phased, inter-governmental project.

Through it all he has seen great success and Ridgewood truly enjoys working with him. His continued responsiveness to their needs is a great reflection on DLA.

Charmaine Lowe will be working with us 10 years in June.

A skilled job captain, Charmaine is extremely flexible, able to manage multiple projects with multiple architects that are asking for her time. Her abilities allow the architects she is working for, to sleep better at night knowing she is on their job.

She was part of the team on the Aurora Early Learning Center, giving that project her all.

Recently she has completed the Lockport East addition, working very hard to create a great set of working documents. You can’t ask for anything more than a set of tight working drawings that can hold up through the “line of fire” of the construction process. Charmaine’s drawings did an excellent job in accomplishing that.

Each of these talented individuals was recognized for their service to DLA. Those celebrating a 5 year anniversary received a key chain, a glass cube for the 10 year, and a clock for the 15 year anniversary. These gifts are a symbol that reflects to each employee that they have accomplished something important during their time here with DLA.

Every year, the DLA Architects team participates in “Career Day” activities at our client schools.

We’ve had a variety of professionals from the owners of the firm to the designers to our interns speak, and while we all focus on our own personal experience and the background that helped us get where we are, the thing we all have in common is an interest in learning and a passion for what we do.

It makes you think

Developing a talk about what you do for a living is a wonderful time to step back and take stock in the choices you made that brought you to this point in your career.

For an architect, the paths to licensure are fairly direct: college, then (most likely) grad school, then the structured IDP Training Program. By the time you’re licensed, you’ve dedicated ten years or more of your life to the pursuit of your career, longer if you take the time for military service or a family.

One of the things we emphasize to the students we speak to is that a career is really about the path you take.

It takes time to accomplish your goals, but having at least a general idea of where you want to end up will be your guide as you make the choices that result in your career.

It brings you down to earth

Speaking at Career Day can be challenging, and unless you have an especially exciting profession, a bit humbling. The challenge here is engaging the students and finding that connection that will keep them interested.

It’s important to have an outline of what you’ll discuss, but keep it simple. With any luck, there will be questions that take the conversation on interesting tangents. The more interactive, the better, but come prepared with stories that they can relate to.

We often discuss a project in the very building we’ll be talking in. Explaining how technically challenging it is to suspend a running track above a gymnasium and how the green roof next to it counteracts the forces of the load makes a whole lot more sense when you’re familiar with the space.

Students are often surprised Read the rest of this entry »

Sustainability and Green Design are the buzz words of the day, especially in reference to architecture.

What’s it all about?

Well, the way we talk about it is a great place to start; language can be a challenge because each of us might think a term has a different meaning. Three terms commonly used interchangeably in reference to the building and construction industry are Green Design (GreenBuilding), Sustainable Design (Sustainability) and High Performance Buildings. Definitions of these vary by who is defining them, for instance:

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines “GreenBuilding” as:

“The practice of maximizing the efficiency with which buildings and their sites use resources – energy, water, and materials – while minimizing building impacts on human health and the environment, through the complete life cycle – from siting, design, and construction to operation, renovation and reuse.”

The US Green Building Council defines “Green Design” as:

“Design and construction practices that significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impact of buildings on the environment and its occupants. This includes site planning, safeguarding water and the efficient use of water, promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy, conserving materials and resources, promoting indoor air quality for the benefit of current and future generations.”

The United Nation’s 1987 “Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development” (The Brundtland Principles) defined “Sustainable Development” as:

“Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

In the book Cannibals with Forks, author John Elkington defines “Sustainable Development” as: Read the rest of this entry »

Over the years, as I’ve progressed and matured in the practice of architecture, I’ve come across quotations from a variety of sources that have become my moral compass. I thought I’d share these. Maybe they’ll inspire you, guide you, or reaffirm your values. Enjoy:

Values

“Maintaining strong values is the key to success in any field, chief among them is a solid work ethic.” – Cal Ripken Jr.

“Self-Discipline – Having purity of thought, being true to your values” – Source unknown

“Doing the right thing pays off.” – Source unknown

“The success of an organization is best measured by the quality of the people and organizations which it serves.” – Source Unknown

Passion Read the rest of this entry »

In the latest issue of Illinois ASBO Update, our team discusses how school districts can prepare their facilities for the future. In “From-the-Field” our own Dwain Lutzow, AIA asks “How do your facilities measure up?” and discusses how existing schools can rethink space to “keep up” with new schools.

The cover article “Forward Thinking Schools: Shaping Schools to Invigorate Student Learning” was written by Bruce Dahlquist, AIA, LEED, AP, BD+C. In it he discusses how 21st century schools face the challenge of adapting existing infrastructure to meet current and future technology and educational delivery methods. He explains how creative architectural design, sustainable design and classroom remodeling can shape inspirational environments that are the focal point of the community.

Take a look:

Our own Bruce Dahlquist will be attending and sharing his insights at the Third Annual APWA Sustainability in Public Works Conference.  The conference focuses on the latest and most innovative tools, practices, and case studies pertaining to economic, social, and environmental responsibility in public works.

Bruce will be part of a panel addressing “The Power of Sustainable Partnerships.” He’ll be joined by Josh Behounek, an Urban Forester with Davey Resource Group; James Thomas Bell, Superintendent of Parks with the City of Elgin; Aaron Cosentino, MBA, Sustainability & Grants Coordinator with the City of Elgin. They’ll be discussing the collaborative, community based approach the City of Elgin took in developing a sustainability action plan to address alternative energy, economic development, urban/green design, transportation, waste management, green infrastructure, water resources, and community outreach.

If you’re at the conference, be sure to stop by Parlor BC on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at 11:10.

Participants in the Elgin Sustainability Action Plan committees discuss the goals and the process (via City of Elgin).

With the start of a new season, I couldn’t resist taking a few moments to reflect on a busy spring. Spring is a time for inspiration – either becoming inspired or inspiring others. That was certainly the case for me this spring!
Read the rest of this entry »

We, as architects, cannot lose sight of each of the roles in the design/construction process as we fulfill our day-to-day responsibilities. This includes the role of the client, architect, and the contractor. It was once said that:

“The architect is one who prepares plans, conceives the design, draws out the specification, in short supplies the mind…The builder is, in fact, the machine; the architect is the power which puts the machine together and sets it in motion…”

The goal of an architect is to Read the rest of this entry »

Yesterday was one of those days that really lit me up. It rekindled that passion for the practice of architecture and made me think about my role as a citizen of the world.

During the day I was a speaker (along with Aaron Cosentino and Jennifer Fritz-Williams of the City of Elgin) at the Greentown Conference in Elgin, speaking on the City of Elgin Sustainability Action Plan. Seeing hundreds of people from the region gathered to learn the best practices of greening a community was inspiring. Our panel shared all of the great green and sustainable accomplishments in Elgin, not the least of which was the community involvement in the development of the Plan. We also heard several outstanding presentations that reaffirmed my commitment to good design and a respect for the environment. In addition, I was able to share passive solar design theory incorporated into our work with the session attendees. It was a great conference, and I would encourage others to attend the next one.

As incredible as the conference was, it turned out to be only an “appetizer for the main course”. To wrap up the night, I attended a screening of Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time. It was presented by Curt Meine, a biographer of Leopold, and hosted by the Fox River Country Day School.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Leopold, he is one of the pre-eminent conservationists of the 19th and 20th Century. Much of what we espouse as environmental conscience evolved through Leopold’s eyes.

Every once in a while in my career, I’ve been presented with seminal events which have impacted my philosophy of life, approach to design and planning, and my respect for the environment. One such event was reading The Death and Life of American Cities by Jane Jacobs.

For me, Green Fire was an equally important event. If you have an interest in environmental issues, this movie is certainly worth seeing. If you don’t have access to the movie, read any of his books – or at least look him up on the web. You won’t be disappointed!

“Leopold helped redefine our understanding of the natural world and provided much of the foundation for the modern environmental movement. His legacy can be seen everywhere.” – Janet Ginsburg, Chicago Tribune

One last thing, don’t forget to stop by our booth at Elgin’s Green Expo on May 7th to learn more about sustainability! It’s free and open to the public.

Image courtesy Adi Respati via Flickr

Ideas come from everywhere if you’re open to them.

As an architect, I see my profession as a blending of social conscience, psychological reactions to space, engineering trends, ergonomics, art, sustainability, and technology – all of which are great sources of inspiration.

Ideas often come from keeping my eyes open to human patterns and relationships. How we interact and how we respond to stimuli tells a great deal about the potential success of the spaces that I design. Advances in engineering and technology form the core of the shell which clearly impacts design, but when it comes down to it, the people make the place.

I like to think that some of my best ideas come from being a good listener –  and even an interpreter.

My ideas for design come from listening to my clients. I try to get into their heads and really understand their needs. It’s critical to understand the impact of how a space is used now and what the future trends may be in order to evolve a unique, yet appropriate design. From here, looking through the lens of my experience in architecture and building systems, I find the inspiration to solve the puzzle that is their building. We have quite the portfolio of educational spaces, and I find that talking to school administrators, teachers, and students gives me an understanding of what makes a successful learning environment.

I also find it important to listen to the site. The site is like the base medium for an art installation, a uniquely shaped canvas upon which we place a message. The size and shape of the site, the environmental features, will affect the design. Clues then come from laying out designs, reacting to what is given me. Rather than force an inappropriate idea on a site, I work with the site. The result is often an efficient floor plan as well as an energy-conscious building. Being a LEED Accredited Professional, I would say that my designs tend to come from nature and a building’s relationship to its immediate environment and the community-at-large. Good design ideas respect the environment.

In conclusion, my design ideas tend to come from introspection, a social conscience, and being vigilant of my surroundings. Design is dynamic and ever- changing. So are the ideas that generate design.

Where do you get your ideas?

Be inspired: