We are proud to share Jack Potterack is our newest licensed architect. Jack has been with IDS for just over two years and has worked on projects across a variety of market segments, including Higher Education, Student Life and K12. Please join us in congratulating Jack on this outstanding achievement!
IDS’ founding President, and current Chairman, Paul Stachowiak, has been inducted into the Brother Rice High School Hall of Fame. This recognition honors those who epitomize the “Brother Rice Spirit,” as Paul has shown extraordinary dedication, leadership, and enthusiasm for Brother Rice High School.
Over the past fifteen years, Paul has represented IDS as a partner on many architectural and engineering projects with the School, including current Master Planning work, a Science Wing Addition and Renovation, and Athletic Fields. In addition to his work with IDS, he has volunteered for the School’s Board, Facilities Committee, and for Career Days and Mentoring Programs.
Paul’s four children, Jim, Julie, Jeff, and Jill all attended Brother Rice and Marian High Schools. About the honor, Paul says “Although I’m not an alum, my wife and I are so thankful for the foundation that both Brother Rice and Marian High Schools have provided our children. My service to the school has been a pleasure, and this honor is truly treasured.”
We are very proud to announce IDS’ own Zac VanOverbeke has just completed the 2018 – 2019 AIA Detroit Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program. In its second year in Detroit, the CKLDP selects 16 emerging, local AEC industry leaders to foster relationships and engage in productive industry conversations.
Over the course of the nine-month program, the program members work with one another to facilitate and attend monthly day-long workshops where, Zac explains, “even though we have a range of diverse experiences, we were unified and driven to create an educational environment where we could all learn… Not once was an individual judged or discredited, this type of open discourse gave us the opportunity to see unique perspectives into many issues facing the industry.”
The 2018 – 2019 Detroit CKLDP concluded last Friday, May 3 with a presentation focused on productivity and emerging technologies led by Zac and fellow program-member Leland Curtis from Smithgroup’s Detroit chapter.
IDS wants to congratulate the entire 2018 – 2019 AIA Detroit Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program cohort and look forward to seeing the success of these industry leaders. Thank you to all those who participated.
As Integrated Design Solutions (IDS) celebrates its 20th Anniversary, the Board of Directors has elected Chuck Lewis to serve as the firm’s president. Chuck was one of the first to be offered ownership, as IDS’ leadership began to transition 15 years ago. He has played an integral part in this transition planning and has been mentoring actively since 2003.
Chuck succeeds Paul Stachowiak, who has served as the firm’s President and Chairman since IDS’ inception in 1999. Paul is passionate about providing the opportunity to transition the firm and will be carrying on as Chairman to support the transition process. Paul Stachowiak, Chairman added, “We are extremely proud of our commitment to supporting the evolution of our firm in both leadership and vision. This transition has been carefully planned over the past two decades and it is rewarding to see the results of our efforts come to life.” We believe the future cannot be predicted, but it can be designed.
In this exciting milestone year, IDS continues to evolve and the firm remains energetic, enthusiastic and focused on its mission statement. “We believe in uncompromising customer service beginning with quality Integrated Design Solutions for our clients. Our commitment to progressive vision, integrity and leadership is carried through every member of our staff to build on and strengthen our relationships with each other, our clients and our community.” Moving forward, IDS’ emphasis remains on wholly integrated solutions, a mantra that is fully reflected in its name.
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.
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!
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
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.
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.