Archive for category: Uncategorized

Adrian La Tona

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  1. Tell me an interesting fact about yourself.
    • I’ve seen five volcanoes in person and one eruption! We were on the coast at the time as a storm blew in, all of a sudden, we heard a loud boom as red hot magma shot out the top of the volcano against the dark sky. It felt like we were in a movie.
  1. Why did you go into your profession?
    • I discovered architecture through books. I pulled a random book off a library shelf one day, and it turned out to be a copy of Charles Moore’s monograph. I became infatuated with the house he built for himself in California. The drawings, the renderings, the details! I did not know that a building could do those things. So, I kept the book and still have it to this day. I flip through it every now and again as a reminder.
  1. What is your greatest strength?
    • Curiosity.
  1. What is your greatest personal achievement (not related to work)
    • Even though I work on athletic projects, I’ve never been much of an athlete. I’m quite the opposite.  The first time I ran ten miles, though, I felt like I truly accomplished something great. I’ve been running consistently ever since.
  1. What is your greatest professional achievement? (related to IDS)
    • Whatever project I’m working on next. Every project has its triumphs and struggles, it’s important to me to ensure that I grow with each one. That being said, having worked on the largest college indoor practice facility in the country at UND isn’t half bad either.
  1. What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
    • I enjoy anything and everything having to do with a guitar. Whether it is playing, building, or listening, count me in!
  1. What motivates you?
    • Travel has always been a big part of my life. I find exploring new places and collecting experiences both motivating and cathartic.
  1. What is your #1 professional goal?
    •  I want to design good buildings, ones that deeply impact people. The type of building that sticks in someone’s mind and inspires them in their own life.

   “We still do not know what a building can do” – Michael Menser on Lebbues Woods

Two Great Students Receive 2021 Integrated Design Solutions Scholarship

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Shawn Jones and Kymarria Rouser, have been selected as the recipients of the 2021 Integrated Design Solutions Scholarship with the School District of the City of Pontiac. The scholarship provides funds to students who plan to attend a college or university in Fall 2021. The students must also be pursuing engineering or post-secondary education in STEM. Integrated Design Solutions has proudly provided architecture and engineering services to the district for years and is committed to helping students succeed after high school. Congratulations Shawn and Kymarria!

Pontiac Scholarship
Pontiac Scholarship

 

Be Sure to Like and Follow Integrated Design Solutions Social Media!

MAF Photo Contest

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Do you love taking photos of Michigan architecture? Want the chance to see your photos (and photo credit) featured on MAF’s website and social media? What about the opportunity to win some prize money too? MAF announced its inaugural photography competition, “Architecture Inspires 2021” with an extended deadline due to popular demand! The new competition deadline has been extended through Wednesday, September 15, 2021!

Get out there and show them what inspires you! To submit your photos and learn more visit michiganarchitecturalfoundation.org/events/maf-architecture-inspires-2021-photo-competition/

 

Grand Blanc Athletic Center Ground Breaking

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Earlier this May Members of the IDS team and AUCH team broke ground on the New Grand Blanc Athletic Center. The athletics center is part of the of the $86 million bond passed in May 2020. The new athletic center will include a new turf football field and moving the new football field to where the soccer field was located. But that is not all that will be happening, The soccer field will become a new stadium with turf and will be attached to the aquatic center. But not to worry the other sports like the softball team, baseball team and lacrosse team will all be able to play on turf as well.

To learn more about the Athletic Center and to check out what it will look like click here

 

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

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