Announcing Our Recent Promotions

/in , /by

Integrated Design Solution has welcomed Valerie Grant into the role of Senior Associate, and Todd Nemecek, Todd Vercruysse, and Randi Paananen into the role of Associate, effective January 1, 2019.

Valerie joined the company in 2001 and has led the development of IDS’s interior design department as Associate since 2011. As Senior Associate, Valerie will continue her work representing the IDS, and begin a new level of leadership within the firm.

Todd Nemecek has spent more than ten years with Integrated Design Solutions. His experience and accomplishments have contributed to the success of many large-scale projects while with IDS. Entering the role of Associate, Todd will continue his work with Integrated Design Solutions, expanding our reach even further.

Since joining Integrated Design Solutions almost two years ago, Randi Paananen has stepped into a leadership role as Senior Electrical Engineer. Randi brings more than twenty years of experience and a keen eye to the role of Associate.

Todd Vercruysse began his tenure as mechanical engineer with Integrated Design Solutions in early 2018. Since, Todd has brought his expertise to support numerous projects, joining teams and leading others. As Associate, Todd will draw on his twenty-plus years in the industry to continue to grow IDS’s influence.

Congratulations Dan Gwozdz on Getting Licensed!

/in , /by

We are excited to announce that Dan Gwozdz has passed his examinations required to become a licensed Architect. Please join us in congratulating him on this major accomplishment. We truly have an amazing team.

Way to go, Dan!

Additions to our Team

/in , /by

IDS recently embarked on a mission to seek out passionate architects, engineers, and interior designers to help expand our Grand Rapids and Troy teams. Since the start of 2018, we’ve successfully employed 14 individuals from various disciplines to help meet the increasing demands of our industry. Six members joined our Troy team (pictured above right) and eight join IDS in our Grand Rapids office (pictured above left) which now staffs a full service team for our West Michigan clients. We’ve expanded from 103 employees in the beginning of 2017 to 126 current employees between both offices with plans to continue our development through the remainder of the year. Cheers to our recent additions!

Pictured In Image Left, Left to Right: Greg Koenig, AIA, NCARB – Architecture, Rachael McCorkle AIA, LEED AP BD+C – Architecture, Dawn Holtrop, NCARB, LEED AP ID+C – Architecture, Nancy Hooker – Electrical Engineering, Kevin Aalderink, AIA, LEED AP BD+C – Architecture, Jim Hooker, PE – Electrical Engineering, Kyle Mouw – Architecture Bob Partak, PE – Mechanical Engineering.

Pictured In Image Right, Left to Right: Tracey Treiber Johnston, IIDA, LEED AP –  Interior Design Laura Upton – Marketing, Matt Brown, AIA, NCARB – Architecture, Mark Koehler – Mechanical Engineering, Todd Vercruysse, PE – Mechanical Engineering, Caitlyn Koeth, NCIDQ – Interior Design

Congratulations Nick Kothari

/in , /by
A big congratulations goes out to our newest registered Architect, Nicholas Kothari. Nick has been with IDS almost a year and a half, and has worked diligently since his arrival to obtain his architecture registration. Great job Nick!

Another Round of Promotions at IDS

/in , /by

IDS is pleased to announce (from left to right) the promotion of Tracie Withrow, Adrian LaTona, and Justin Kiriazis effective, January 1, 2018. We recognize and appreciate the wealth of initiative they present in their perspective roles, and the contributions each of these individuals have to the progression of Integrated Design Solutions as a firm. Congratulations! Promotions include :

Tracie Withrow, Architect, to Associate

Tracie began working at Integrated Design Solutions August 2012, and has since become a pivotal member of the Architecture department. Her interest in architecture and construction started when she was young while visiting construction project sites with her father, a construction foreman and later a site inspector. These field experiences combined with the planning and scheduling skill sets inherited from her mother quickly led her to realize that the architecture and construction environment was a natural fit for her.

Adrian LaTona, Architect, to Senior Associate

Since arriving at IDS in October 2010, Adrian has been a part of a number of projects of varying scale. Working closely with Michigan State University coaches Izzo and Dantonio, he was a member of the team that delivered the Spartan Stadium North End Zone Addition, Duffy Daugherty Renovations and Berkowitz Office Refresh. He has also lent his talents to such University of Michigan projects as the Munger Graduate Residences, East Quad Renovation and the Taubman addition to the University of Michigan Art and Architecture building. He looks forward to growing as an architect as he continues to explore.

Justin Kiriazis, Electrical Engineer, to Associate

Justin has been with Integrated Design Solutions since June 2016, and has since been involved in projects with substantial clients including Ford Motor Company and Horizon Global. Justin is committed to upholding the positive reputation of IDS as he strives to generate creative design solutions that fit within the client’s needs and budget.   Outside of work, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife Renee, biking in the summer and skiing in the winter.  They are avid fans of Michigan football and Detroit sports and try to attend as many games as possible.

We’re Growing Our Healthcare Team!

/in , /by

 


New Healthcare Members from left to right: Frederick Wesolowski, Michael Dembinski, Diane Lammers, Barry Miron, Art Veneklase

Existing Healthcare Leadership Team from left to right:  David DiCiuccio, David Giroux, Richard Newlin

 

Frederick J. Wesolowski, AIA, ACHA, EDAC, LEED® AP  

As Director of Healthcare for IDS, with more than 36 years of experience, Fred has participated in the complete spectrum of the project delivery process with experiences ranging from strategic planning and project conceptualization through occupancy.  He brings an expertise in project formation, master planning, delivery and management, with a commitment to responsive, responsible service that optimizes capital expenditures, resource utilization and the quality of patient care, while reducing operational costs.  He understands the needs of complex healthcare organizations and how to balance the demands of the varied constituents, thus building consensus and agreement. His experience has infused him with an owner’s perspective and he assures productive, focused, client-oriented environments that exceed expectations. As a registered architect in Michigan and Colorado, Fred’s deep fascination for drawing and designing facilities has helped shape his successful career as a professional architect. During the course of his profession, Fred has worked as a designer, design director, and healthcare practice director, which has afforded him a well rounded architectural and design perspective.

Michael Dembinski, RA

As Healthcare Planner, Mike brings over 28 years of professional healthcare planning experience. He has a solid understanding of the technological, regulatory and marketing forces that affect the healthcare industry. His ability to interpret and balance user and administration needs in the early planning and programming stages allows him to respond with creative and effective design solutions with exceptional attention to detail. His clients benefit from his cost-effective, patient-sensitive design solutions. After receiving a Bachelors of Architecture and Science from Lawrence Technological Institute, Mike spent half of his professional career working north of the Mackinaw Bridge, developing design solutions that transformed hospitals, VA centers, and nursing homes into improved living spaces. Mike’s extensive experience ranges from designing one and two room spaces to designing heavy critical care units within healthcare facilities.

Diane Lammers, NCIDQ, EDAC, LEED® AP

As Senior Interior Designer, Diane brings over 30 years of experience  on a wide range of interiors projects, Diane brings a proven talent for seamlessly merging the concept of patient-centered care with functionality to create an integrated, patient-oriented healing environment. She has extensive experience in healthcare planning and design and understands the complex needs of healthcare organizations.   From design conception through occupancy, Diane brings skills in project management, programming, and design development, with a special emphasis on shaping the interior architectural environment through evidence-based design. She shares a wealth of experience from her senior positions at large firms and leadership on complex, large scale projects for healthcare providers throughout the United States. Diane has a proven talent for translating ideas into unique, captivating, and comfortable designs. She continues to use her professional experience to truly understand what is involved in planning and design within the healthcare environment.

Barry Miron, PE

As Principal Electrical Engineer, Barry Miron has over 30 years of design and departmental supervisory experience. From healthcare facility wide planning to detailed project level implementation, his areas of expertise include normal power systems, design, emergency power system and generator planning, design and upgrading (e.g. centralized vs. distributed, paralleling), low voltage systems coordination (fire alarm systems, telephone, nurse call, telemetry, security, etc.) design; all critical to health facilities. His breadth of experiences due to his departmental leadership and depth of engineering insight bring value few can match. With a professional engineering license in 23 states, Barry’s experience ranges from projects in his hometown of Baraga, Michigan, to Tonawanada, New York, where he most enjoys the test of discovering answers to complex electrical issues. He’s also an active member of organizations such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, International Society of Automation and National/Michigan society of professional engineers.

Art Veneklase, PE, LEED® AP BD+C

Art joins the healthcare team as Principal Mechanical Engineer with over 36 years of experience in the industry.  His experience includes design engineering, infrastructure improvements, renovations, energy and sustainability.  As part of health facility advance planning teams in pre-design, master planning, and project formation assignments, he has lead campus wide facility assessment teams, identified system deficiencies and life expectancies, as well as prioritized planning capital investments supporting flexible campus reconfigurations responsive to the current healthcare environment.  His macro level perspective coupled with detailed technical knowledge underpins “smart” infrastructure planning and project implementation. Art’s passion for engineering leaves him with a constant curiosity toward finding new and innovative ways to embrace the changing industry. He finds comfort in the challenge of solving practical problems inherent in the field of engineering, and building on the fundamentals of his field.

David M. DiCiuccio, PE, Executive Vice President

Leading the Mechanical Engineers for the past 24 years, Dave is both a Department Director and an active Principal with responsibilities for major healthcare and university clients.  You’d be correct if you think that his love of detail crosses all aspects of his life. During working hours, between having a deep pulse of the quality of our Mechanical Engineering product, and collaborating with other discipline teams to support an integrated solution, Dave also approaches design of our building systems with a clean slate.  He understands the role that the newest technologies are playing in today’s equipment and he loves thinking outside the box for meaningful solutions.  Outside of work, he loves a variety of home renovation projects – it’s that detail again.  You can also usually find him at his lake house, relaxing on his pontoon boat with his family.

David M. Giroux, AIA, CDT, Vice President, Assistant Director of Architecture

David’s love of architecture and engineering began in 7th grade when his class designed and constructed a 180 foot long, 18 foot tall pedestrian bridge out of recycled telephone poles that linked two adjacent school buildings.  Following a traditional path to licensure, David enrolled in all of the drafting classes his high school had to offer and moved on to earn his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Lawrence Technological University.  David’s passion for healthcare design and construction was born during his two years living and working in Chicago.  He brought that passion and experience to IDS when he returned to his hometown of Royal Oak to marry his true love.  David lives by the creed, “anything worth doing is worth doing right” and demonstrates this in all aspects of his life – from his meticulous approach to his projects to his commitment to his wife Michelle and his children Isobel and Benjamin.  In his free time, David volunteers his knowledge of design and construction with the Finance Council and Building and Grounds committee at St. Mary’s Royal Oak.  Having a strong interest in the technical aspects of architecture has made David a valuable Construction Administrator and effective Manager of projects which are rooted in the technical side of design.

Richard Newlin, AIA

Dick’s passion began by creating building structures in the yard of his childhood home.  Every project has its own unique set of challenges and its arrival at the final solution is the great motivator. He enjoys working with the clients to understand their desires and then trying to work with the design team to collectively develop the details that lead to the correct solution. Dick likes to balance his career by spending time with his wife, their extensive travels around the world and a passion for photography.

AN IN-DEPTH LOOK INTO THE PROMOTIONS AT IDS

/in , /by

 

 

From left to right: Charles Lewis, Jeffrey Johnson, Dominic Paone, David Giroux, Brandon Sundberg, Mark Reaves, Matthew Perez, Jeffrey Zona, Kevin Marshall, Joseph Schwartz, Adrian LaTona, Nicholas LaForest, Matthew Beck, Shawn Tyburski 

 

Below IDS explains a little more about the promotions of our extraordinary employees.

 

Senior Vice President Charles E. Lewis, AIA

IDS has a moved to market focused leadership, internally and client-facing. As existing Principal and Architect, Lewis shifts from Director of Architecture to Director of Student Life with the belief that if you create great space, you in turn, raise the level and quality of the surrounding community and the people within it. Projects include: South Lyon East High School; West Quad, East Quad, Towsley Children’s House, G.G. Brown Lab—University of Michigan; Corporate Offices—IDS.

Vice President Jeffrey D. Johnson, AIA

Johnson is promoted to Principal and earns the title, Director of Higher Education and Workplace. He is also a newly elected IDS Board Member. As an architect, he has an impressive list of educational and research facilities including significant collaborations with internationally known design partners including Zaha Hadid and Preston Scott Cohen. His uncompromising commitment to customer service, leadership and the ability to manage architecturally complex projects has lead to strong client relationships that have lasted for many years.  Projects: Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, Hubbard Hall, Holden Hall,  Skandalaris Football Center and Bioengineering Facility—Michigan State University; Bioengineering Lab—University of Michigan Dearborn; Quicken Loans Data Center.

Vice President Dominic Paone, III, CCP, LEED

Paone is promoted to Principal as well as Director of Commercial and Research. He is also a newly elected IDS Board Member. As a mechanical engineer, he combines his years of professional experience with modern problem-solving techniques to make even the most difficult challenge seem realistic. Whether it’s creating snow in a four-wheel drive dynamometer or designing a one-of-a-kind data center, he is known as a proactive leader, mentoring and inspiring others in delivering innovative solutions to his clients. Projects: G. G. Brown Laboratory—University of Michigan; South Lyon East High School; Public Safety Training Complex—Schoolcraft College; Quicken Loans Data Center; Skandalaris Football Center—Michigan State University.

David M. Giroux, AIA, CDT

Giroux is promoted to Assistant Director.   With a strong interest in the technical aspects of architecture, passion for architecture and engineering began when his 7th grade class designed and constructed a 180 foot long, 18 foot tall pedestrian bridge out of recycled telephone poles that linked two adjacent school buildings. His dedication and loyalty to IDS has proven well and he seeks to keep growing and learning here at IDS with a specialized interest in Healthcare. Projects include: MRI Suite Renovation and Expansion, Blanket Contract–University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers; Blanket Contract–Beaumont Royal Oak; Data Center Relocation—Central Michigan University; North Campus Research Center Modular Data Center—University of Michigan; Quicken Loans Data Center.

Brandon Sundberg, AIA, LEED AP

Sundberg is promoted to Director of Architecture. He greatly appreciates the architectural process and the various roles people play within that process. His love of architecture and observation began at an early age from the natural environment of his surroundings as his mother helped him realize a sense of place and the importance its affects have on people and memory. Today, he strives to bridge people with the practice of architecture and engineering by being mindful of the environment and cultivating meaningful relationships. Projects: Music School, West Quad, East Quad—University of Michigan.

Mark Reaves, AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Reaves is promoted to Assistant Director and is driven by a client’s needs and the desire to find unique solutions for complex problems. Keenly focused on process, he looks beyond the norm to make significant and meaningful change.  His passion for supporting environmentally sensitive design extends beyond architecture to his personal life as an early adopter of electric car technology.  Projects: Spartan Stadium North End Zone, Bioengineering Facility, Berkowitz Hall of History—Michigan State University; Great Lakes Business Center—Chrysler Group; Jeffress Center—Schoolcraft College; East Quad, Music School, G. G. Brown Laboratory—University of Michigan; Bioengineering Lab—University of Michigan Dearborn.

Matthew R. Perez, PE, LEED AP BD+C

Perez is promoted to Assistant Director. As a mechanical engineer, he has a mission to solve problems creatively and constantly looks at numbers with the goal to conserve where he can. An outside the box thinker, he aims to affect the world with positive change, environmentally, in the community and with his clients. Projects: East Quad, Museum of Art, Music School, Aikens Commons, South Hall —University of Michigan; Bioengineering Lab—University of Michigan Dearborn.

Jeffrey J. Zona, Associate AIA

Zona is promoted to Senior Associate with a strong fascination with the architectural process. He appreciates the very beginning of a project just as much as seeing ribbon-cutting. As project manager, he understands the importance of communication and having the patience to handle multiple detailed aspects from start to completion. Projects: Great Lakes Business Center—Chrysler Group; Bedrock; Continental; Flagstar.

Kevin Marshall, AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Marshall is promoted to Senior Associate with a firm belief in pushing his clients beyond what they want in order to truly understand what they need. As a lead technical architect, he has worked successfully with partners across the country and around the world leaving his ego at the door and learning from all interactions. Projects: Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, Holden Hall, Bioengineering Facility —Michigan State University; Quicken Loans Data Center; South Wing Renovation—First United Methodist Church; South Hall, Towsley Children’s House, Museum of Art —University of Michigan; Bioengineering Lab —University of Michigan Dearborn.

Joseph L. Schwartz, PE, CGD LEED AP BD+C

Schwartz is promoted to Assistant Director and from a young age has been fascinated with buildings, construction and solving problems with a goal to provide energy efficient mechanical systems that seamlessly blend into the building architecture. He works diligently with the architects and other project disciplines to a comfortable environment for all building occupants.  He feels that if he does his job right, people won’t even realize that he did his job at all.  Projects: East Quad, Munger, West Quad—University of Michigan; Bioengineering Facility—Michigan State University.

Adrian LaTona , AIA

LaTona is promoted to Associate and is motivated by the belief that design has the power to profoundly change people’s lives. Growing up, he had one of the most amazing Lego collections around and would spend days building intricate worlds and drawing on whatever he could. Today he applies that same sense of curiosity and wonder to real world issues. Projects: Spartan Stadium North End Zone, Berkowitz Hall of History—Michigan State University; Munger Graduate Residences, East Quad—University of Michigan.

Nicholas LaForest, Associate AIA

LaForest is promoted to Associate. He recognizes that buildings need to evolve with the ecological environment and not simply continue to be containers for activities. Nick’s inspiration stems from his childhood. Raised in an historical farmhouse estate and being surrounded by renovations, Nick became enveloped by the idea of architecture. Projects: Couzens Hall, Alice Lloyd, East Quadrangle, Munger Graduate Residence—University of Michigan.

Matthew Beck, Associate AIA CDT

Beck is promoted to Associate with a quest for perfection and hard work that has led him down a path of success. He has a passion for problem solving and has worked in the K-12 market for over 10 years, acting as liaison between the client and the IDS team. Projects: MESTC – Macomb Community College; Multiple Projects – Oxford Community Schools, Romeo Community Schools, Southfield Public Schools and Utica Community Schools.

Shawn Tyburski, LEED AP BD+C

Tyburski is promoted to Associate and is deeply driven by the desire to impact people through successful design and implementation of technology. The foundation of this success is developing creative solutions to exceed expectations while staying on budget. With a business administration background, he works with architects and engineers to provide collaborative documents that results in successful implementation of projects, delivered on time and on budget. Projects: G. G. Brown Laboratory—University of Michigan; Skandalaris Football Center, Holden Hall – Michigan State University; MESTC – Macomb Community College; Multiple Projects – Birmingham Public Schools, Holly Area School District, Oakland Schools, Southfield Public Schools, South Lyon Community Schools and Troy School District.

About IDS

Over 16 years ago, Integrated Design Solutions was founded by a team of seven industry leaders with a vision to provide a different kind of design firm: one that was not only creative and cost-effective, but service oriented as well, all the while providing client-centered solutions through the successful integration of architecture, engineering, interior design and technology services.

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS NEWLY LICENSED ARCHITECTS

/in , /by
Over the past year, we’ve had two people in our office become licensed architects! It is with great pleasure that we congratulate Charlie Haas and Salvatore (Sam) Moschelli on this great achievement. Becoming licensed is no easy task and requires completing numerous Intern Development Program hours (5,600 to be exact) and passing 7 registration exams (48 hours of testing) after attaining a Masters Degree in Architecture. Although challenging at times, these individuals stayed the course and are officially licensed architects! Join us in congratulating Charlie and Sam.More about the architects:

Charlie Haas, AIA (Featured left)
Growing up helping his father with projects around the house and building together, Charlie developed a love for designing and building models. After attending a two week career discovery program in architecture at the University of Notre Dame, he knew he had found his passion.

Charlie attended the University of Detroit-Mercy from 2005-2010, where he graduated with his Master’s degree in Architecture. Upon graduation, he worked for a general contractor in various capacities, beginning with business development before becoming a project engineer for both the construction and equipment installation divisions. His primary focus was overseeing construction activities on industrial and automotive projects.

Charlie came to IDS in February 2013 during their busiest year to date. Since then, he has had the opportunity to work on projects across multiple market segments, allowing him to continue his growth as an architect. From developing the construction documents to how the team comes together to work through a problem, he feels as though it is the duty of architects to help the clients meet and exceed their own ideas.  Charlie is inspired to continue learning about new products and techniques in order to help surpass the clients’ expectations and his own. He strives to face obstacles head on to come up with successful outcomes. By pushing himself and learning from his experiences, Charlie hopes to continue developing in his roles at IDS.

“When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”

Salvatore (Sam) Moschelli, AIA (Featured right)
The son of a cement man and builder, Sam grew up immersed in the building trades, working on job sites with his father since he was six years old and operating a backhoe tractor at eight. Sam knew from that early age that he wanted to be an architect and immersed himself in art and drafting from the sixth grade onward. The lessons his father taught him as a child while on the job, were to “work smarter, not harder” and that he needed to learn what labor was like growing up so he would appreciate working behind a desk when he was older.  While his friends were working summers at fast food restaurants, Sam was pouring concrete, laying brick, and building houses.

Sam’s philosophy is to design lasting architecture that positively affects the people who interact with it every day, to create a positive impact on the surrounding community and environment, and to aspire to the ideals of leadership, community service, and continual learning in his professional and personal life. Sam has specialized in higher education, student life, fraternity & sorority life, hospitality & resorts, long term disaster relief, single and multi-family residential design, interiors, and pre-fabricated building systems. He has worked on projects in six states throughout the United States as well as the country of Haiti. He has performed project management and administration on projects in excess of $155M and developments with over 500 housing units.

Outside of work, Sam is a fierce advocate and volunteer for the architectural profession and his college fraternity. Whether it’s his work as a founding member of the AIA Detroit Emerging Professionals Committee or lobbying and testifying in front of the State of Michigan House of Representatives or Senate on behalf of licensure timing, Sam has been a committed AIA member since 2004.  He currently handles sponsorship for AIA Detroit and is a key leader of the wildly successful Celebration of Architecture.  Additionally Sam is a 15+ year volunteer and national officer for his college fraternity working closely with universities, alumni and undergraduates across the Midwest.  He is also a past member of the Ferndale Board of Zoning Appeals. Inspired by the lessons of Samuel Mockbee and the Rural studio, Sam aspires to be a Citizen Architect. Sam uses his aspirations to thrive at IDS and to better the community he loves.

Again it’s with great pleasure that we congratulate them on their accomplishments and are extremely proud to have them at IDS.

Make sure to Like Integrated Design Solutions on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter @ids_troy