Career Milestone Achieved IDS Has Two New Licensed Architects

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We want to give a big congratulations to Kyle DiMaggio and Craig Sykes for achieving the career milestone of passing the architectural licensing exams. Becoming a licensed architect is a challenging journey requiring dedication to complete the multiple parts of the test, but these two pushed through and completed them all. Please join us in congratulating Kyle DiMaggio and Craig Sykes!

 

More about our new licensed Architects:

Kyle DiMaggio, RA, NCARB

From a young age, Kyle wanted to become an architect; he made sure to take an interest in anything he could that would assist him in becoming an architect. His love for drawing, creating, disassembling, and reassembling things to see how they worked helped him choose to become an architect. As Kyle got older, he found a deep-seated interest in understanding the environments, and the physical and mental relationships between them and ourselves, in addition to the effects of altering one to affect the other.

When Kyle attended the university, he sought out varied experiences and topics and engaged with as many professionals that he could to better understand his career choice. This time he spent engaging others ultimately led him to pick up a second Masters in Urban Design. After school, he took a year off before pursuing his licensing exam to get as much experience as possible before sitting for the tests. Now, after a year of lockdown, studying, and test-taking, Kyle is an officially licensed architect.

Kyle started at IDS as an intern in 2017 until he finished getting his degree and then joined the IDS team full time in 2019. Since this time, he has worked on a few different projects. One of the most enjoyable projects he is currently working on is the South Lyon Community Schools projects, where he is getting involved in aspects of the project he has not been able to work on before, like designing firewalls and working on natatoriums.

 

Craig Sykes, AIA, NCARB

As a kid, Craig enjoyed working on projects around the house with his dad, and when they finished the project, he always felt a sense of accomplishment. When Craig grew up, he knew he wanted to pursue a career in the building industry, allowing him to be a part of something grander. The path of architecture would allow him to work on exciting projects while also giving him the same sense of accomplishment he enjoyed growing up.

Craig’s path to becoming a licensed architect was a long and windy one. After passing his first exam, he proposed to his wife. After a year, Craig decided it was time to go back after his license.  After passing a few more exams, buying and renovating a house, and his wife expecting their first child, Craig finished his exams just in time to welcome their new baby boy.

Throughout Craig’s time at IDS, he has worked on many projects, but a couple of his favorites are the University of Michigan Union Renovation and Michigan State University S.T.E.M. Building. Both of the projects taught him different skills. The Union showed him that every project is unique, and working on historic buildings takes patience and hours of fieldwork. MSU S.T.E.M. Craig dove deeper into the building envelope and gained more of an understanding of how different building systems come together and how minor details are crucial to a building’s performance.

Jack Potterack

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Jack Potterack added his degree in Architecture from Lawrence Tech University after earning a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering at MSU. That is not the most remarkable thing about him, though; Jack once was on an airplane with Juliette Lewis. Wonder if he could get us all an autograph?

Seeing design issues and details from all angles and considering every impact that can result from a decision helps Jack become a better architect. He believes the coordination required between the disciplines makes projects successful and appreciates how his colleagues do this as a team. An architect provides advice and designs on built objects, both public and private landscapes. Jack knew he wanted to be creative, but he has grown to enjoy problem-solving; being able to do both of these things helps him grow as an architect.

Not only is Jack a talented architect, but he is a remarkable husband to his beautiful wife; he says marrying her was his highest personal triumph. Being an MSU football fan, Jack was elated to be part of the MSU Skandalaris Center and Player’s Lounge Renovation. It was early in his career and continues to still one of his highlights. Motivated by the rewarding feeling you get when you witness users function in and show appreciation for a space you’ve worked on, is why his passion for architecture grows every day.

When not helping to create and design impressive buildings and landscapes, Jack enjoys going to the movie theaters and watching Jeopardy with his wife. Spending time with family and friends on a deck, by a lake, near a campfire, or even standing around a kitchen late at night, is something he also takes pleasure in.

“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing” – Socrates

Jacob Klee

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Jacob’s passion for architecture developed from being exposed at a young age to his family’s involvement in the construction industry and woodworking.  Going on home tours, like the Parade of Homes in Grand Rapids, further sparked his interest. During these tours, he met numerous architects that encouraged his intrigue in architecture. His passion continued to develop as his love for researching new design trends and drawing buildings grew, and this lead to Jacob deciding to become an architect.

Before his 25th birthday, Jacob got his architecture license; he did not initially plan to take the exams so soon, but he was inspired after having great conversations with some senior IDS members during a retreat up north. While studying for the exams, Jacob’s colleagues were very supportive, and helped him stay motivated. There are so many opportunities to expand your knowledge as you encounter new architecture designs, so having the strength and drive to learn new things is why Jacob will continue to grow into a fantastic architect.

Outside of work, Jacob enjoys traveling, be it road trips around the states, studying abroad in Europe, or visiting friends in Mexico. It gives him the opportunities to see how other people live, work, and play in different cultures. Jacob can also say that he has friends across the world. His sense of adventure continues to grow as he goes camping and explores Detroit. Jacob also has a fondness for playing volleyball; though he has yet to spike the ball, it is one of his goals, so if you are playing with him watch out, or his first spike might just be on you.

Continuing towards his goal of designing spaces that make life better, Jacob stays motivated by curiosity and learning from other people’s experiences. Jacob feels that through the design process, you can empower people to make a positive change in their environment. In the end, he says it is inspiring and fulfilling to see clients and users appreciate their spaces.

“The main tenet of design thinking is empathy for the people you’re designing for.” – David Kelley, Founder of IDEO