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Award-Winning Naperville-Based Architectural Firm Expands through Strategic Hire

Bruce George, President and CEO of Charles Vincent George Architects (CVG) has announced the addition of Mark D. Nosky, former Principal of Stewart-Nosky Architects, Ltd. as Senior Project Manager for the Naperville-based firm. Nosky will greatly expand the commercial range of CVG with his 35 years of experience in retail and office design.

“We are excited to put two powerhouse architects together under one roof,” says George. “I have had tremendous respect for Mark as a competitor over the years. He has an impressive portfolio and tremendous expertise in the retail and office design arena.”

Nosky was attracted to CVG’s long history in Chicagoland; the firm’s reputation for having high design standards; and its portfolio of work on landmark projects. In addition to being honored by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Northeast Illinois Chapter with an Excellence in Design award for Interior Architecture of the firm’s own offices, CVG’s notable projects include the Downtown Naperville Post Office conversion for Naperville Bank & Trust; the Naperville Sesquicentennial Riverwalk; Moser Tower Carillon; and the White Eagle Golf Club. “Having the resources of this larger firm will allow me to concentrate on the quality of design the firm is known for, while having a much more robust staff to serve my clients,” he says.

Nosky holds a BS in Architecture from The Ohio State University and a Master of Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis. After beginning his career in St. Louis, he relocated to New York City, where he worked for Phillip Johnson/John Burgee and Kohn Peterson Fox (in both New York and London), focusing on high-rise office buildings including Goldman Sachs’ International headquarters and upscale retail projects including Barney’s in Midtown Manhattan. In 1993, Nosky moved to Chicago to form Stewart-Nosky, an architectural firm specializing in a broad range of commercial, mixed-use and office projects.

Nosky’s portfolio includes providing architecture and interior design services for Kildeer Village Square, a 21-acre commercial project combining several individually owned retail lots and creating commercial synergy with two adjacent existing retail projects; Seven Bridges office buildings encompassed in Main Street at Seven Bridges; Columbiana Station, a theatre-based lifestyle retail center in Columbia, South Carolina; and Springbrook Prairie Pavilion in Naperville, a LEED-Gold-certified project that received the 2009 Excellence in Design Award from Environmental Design and Construction (ED+C) magazine. Nosky has also completed a number of projects in Downtown Naperville, including Main Place West & East, which involved designing a new exterior for the Apple Store; as well as Washington Place, which offers facades with a contemporary vision of the downtown’s many 1800s buildings. A mainstay of Nosky’s previous practice, his experience with big-box retail clients including Whole Foods Market, Sunset Foods, Art Van, Nordstrom Rack, Dominick’s Finer Foods, DSW, Sierra Trading Post, Marshalls, Michaels, World Market, HomeGoods, and CVS Pharmacy will bolster CVG’s capabilities.

“With the addition of Mark Nosky, CVG is poised to offer deeper capabilities in the retail and commercial sectors, adding to an already growing internal team dedicated to these markets,” says George.

Charles Vincent George Architects have been based in Naperville, IL for over 56 years and is a recognized leader in both the commercial and residential design arenas in the greater Chicago area and throughout the country. Founded by Chuck George in Naperville, Illinois in 1962, and now headed by President and CEO Bruce George, the firm provides professional services in architecture, interior design and land planning focusing on the Recreational, Financial, Retail, Automobile and High-End Custom Residential Sectors. CVG projects have received both local and national acclaim and in past years, have in past years been named the Outstanding Firm of the Year by the Northern Illinois Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). See more from Charles Vincent George Architects at cvgarchitects.com.

We're Among the Best and Brightest (Again)!

For the fourth consecutive year, we have been recognized as one of the nation’s “Best and Brightest Companies to Work For”.

Sponsored by the National Association for Business Resources, the annual awards program identifies and honors organizations that demonstrate a commitment to employee enrichment and excellence in their human resource practices. Organizations are assessed based on categories such as communication, work-life balance, employee education, diversity, recognition, retention, and more. Go Ghafari!

https://www.ghafari.com/

Gresham Smith’s New Chicago Office Grows to 16 Employees

Gresham Smith is proud to announce that the firm’s Chicago office, which opened in August 2018, has grown to 16 employees. The new additions support the firm’s Healthcare market growth strategy, complementing the firm’s existing portfolio and establishing a stronger presence with healthcare systems and facilities in the Midwest. The studio is currently planning and designing McLaren Health Care’s Greater Lansing Hospital, a 517,000-square-foot facility in Lansing, Michigan, and a more than 750,000-square-foot inpatient pavilion at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, New York.

“We are excited about the growth of our Chicago office and look forward to getting further ingrained in the Chicago area and throughout the Midwest,” commented Dan White, AIA, LEED AP, CLGB, senior vice president at Gresham Smith. “With our value-added design approach, our team will build on Gresham Smith’s reputation of delivering solutions that help our clients address their complex needs while providing value for the community.”

New hires who have recently joined Gresham Smith include:

Jenna Ayares has joined the firm as a building information modeling manager. Ayares has seven years of experience since graduating from Harrington College of Design where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design.

Keith Besserud, AIA, has joined the firm as director of digital design in the firm's Chicago office. He brings more than 20 years of experience using emerging technologies to elevate the design process. Besserud is a graduate of Georgia Tech where he earned a Master of Architecture, Stevens Institute of Technology where he earned a Master of Engineering and University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies.

Kori Chapman, AIA, ACHA, CLGB, has joined as a senior architect, bringing nearly 20 years of experience to the firm. Chapman is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies.

Dolores Classon has joined the firm as an assistant project manager in the firm's Chicago Healthcare studio. She brings more than 20 years of experience. Classon is a graduate of the University of South Florida where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Management, Business, Operations Management, Planning and Communications.

Kate Doyle, LEED AP, CLGB, has joined the firm as a senior designer. She has nearly 15 years of experience in the Healthcare industry under her belt. Doyle is a graduate of the University of Illinois where she earned a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Architecture.

Bryan Finnegan, AIA, LEED AP, CLGB, has joined the firm as a senior architect and brings more than 12 years of design experience. Finnegan is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee where he earned a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies.

Adam Grigsby has joined the firm as an architectural project coordinator in the firm's Chicago Healthcare studio. He brings three years of experience. Grigsby is a graduate of Auburn University where he earned a Bachelor of Architecture.

Youngwook Park has joined the firm as an architectural project coordinator, bringing three years of experience. Park is a graduate of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign where he earned a Master of Architecture as well as the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture.

Yuwen Tan has joined the firm as an architectural project coordinator and brings four years of design experience. Tan is a graduate of Harvard University where she earned a Master of Architecture in Urban Design.

Gayatri Tawari has joined the firm as an architectural project coordinator. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan where she earned a Master of Urban Design as well as Illinois Institute of Technology where she earned a Bachelor of Architecture.

Goran Vukovljak, AIA, LEED GA, CLGB, has joined the firm as a senior architect and brings 15 years of design experience. Vukovljak is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he earned a Master of Architecture as well as the University of Wisconsin where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies.

Gresham Smith Moves Chicago Office to Support Growth

Gresham Smith has moved to 55 East Monroe Street, Suite 3605. The new office space supports the rapidly-growing team, which has doubled in less than a year. Gresham Smith established a presence in Chicago in August 2018.

The new additions support the firm’s Healthcare market growth strategy, complementing the firm’s existing portfolio and establishing a stronger presence with healthcare systems and facilities in the Midwest. The studio is currently planning and designing McLaren Health Care’s Greater Lansing Hospital, a 517,000-square-foot facility in Lansing, Michigan, and a more than 750,000-square-foot inpatient pavilion at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, New York.

For Immediate Release

Contact: Theadora Gerber / Phone: 312-374-9455 / Email: [email protected]

NEW BOOK AVAILABLE TODAY Frank Lloyd Wright’s $10,000 Home: History, Design, and Restoration of the Bach House

CHICAGO, IL (May 28, 2019) – Master Wings Publishing and Hilton Publishing announced today the June 2019 publication of Frank Lloyd Wright’s $10,000 Home: History, Design, and Restoration of the Bach House, the first and only book to focus on this historic home in Chicago. Meticulously researched and written by Robert Hartnett, the book is filled with rare primary sources, photos and stories from the families who lived at the Bach House, about Wright himself, and the mindful restoration by owners who have been dedicated to caring for Wright’s legacy for upwards of a century.

Frank Lloyd Wright believed that every home deserved to be both beautiful and functional, and it was this idea that led to the construction of the striking Emil and Anna Bach House. Wright’s commitment to affordable architecture made the relatively small-sized Bach house obtainable for a middle-class family of the time. Other aspects of the house—from the plumbing to the built-in furniture to specific building materials—contributed to its affordability. As with so many architectural ideas now taken for granted, Wright was on the front line in creating innovative design solutions.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s $10,000 Home is a design-focused portrait of an iconic architectural masterpiece, offering a distinctive look at its history, the families who lived there, Chicago in the early 1900’s, and the thoughtful process of the home’s protection and restoration.

While the Emil Bach House is primarily representative of Wright's late Prairie style, Hartnett details the influences of Japanese design that Wright incorporated into the space. Bach House was declared a Chicago Landmark in 1977 and is one of the few Wright homes available for overnight stays or for special events. The book is a perfect companion for touring the house. Learn more about Frank Lloyd Wright’s $10,000 Home here.

“Bob Hartnett reminds us of Frank Lloyd Wright’s influence on our world and how architectural restoration can positively impact a neighborhood and contribute to the health of a community,” said Jennifer N. Pritzker, Colonel (IL) ARNG (Retired) and current owner of the Emil Bach House. “We are honored to publish this important title to our imprint, Master Wings Publishing.” Master Wings Publishing in partnership with Hilton Publishing Publication Date: June 8, 2019 Format: Paperback, full color throughout Genre: Architecture/Architectural Preservation/Design/Frank Lloyd Wright/Chicago History ISBN: 978-0-9983282-6-3 Page Count: 160 Original List Price: $24.95 Availability: For sale via Amazon, Hiltonpub.com, and through bookstores everywhere. Rights: World/ All “The whole story is now being told!” —T. Gunny Harboe, FAIA Architect and Historic Preservation Expert ###

Impacting Communities and Empowering Change through Architectural Volunteering

Many of you may remember when three years ago, I blogged in Chicago Architect’s online magazine about a story of providing a pro-bono design of a 2,000-square-foot dining facility in Camp Zulu, a rural community in the Congo, and its fund-raising effort through World Vision and World Mission. I shared how our architectural community responded by donating thousands of dollars to this project. At the end of fund-raising stage, AIA Chicago program director Joan Pomaranc asked me to do a report for AIA Chicago, once the project was constructed. Fast forward two and one a half years: The project was finally constructed in the fall of 2017. To my pleasant surprise, this building has become much more than simply a dining facility; it has now been functioning for six months as a multi-purpose community center for the entire Camp Zulu. Their new facility has become a center of the community where residents dine, worship, socialize and hold meetings on a weekly basis.

When I designed the building in 2015, I knew the design had to be simple and straightforward to ensure the facility could be built with local materials by local residents. With that in mind, the building is made of off-the-shelf, readily available corrugated metal sheets that are directly fastened to the wood trusses built on-site. Supported by pour-in-place concrete columns and beams, the building is enclosed by handmade mud bricks, and wood doors and windows (Figure 1). What I didn’t realize at the time, was this project had also been used as a means to teach construction trade skills to local residents. The construction was directed and supervised by the former U.S. construction executive and Covenant World Mission Congo missionaries, Tim Smith. Tim and his wife Helen have spent years in the Congo providing for and building communities, lifting residents out of poverty through projects such as this. Under their leadership and supervision, local residents learned how to make mud bricks; how to build wood trusses out of raw lumber; how to mix and pour concrete; and how to put together various building sections (Figure 2).

When we talk about architects’ social responsibility, we often refer to our designs as having the ability to create better built environments for the communities we serve (Figure 3). Through this experience, I now realize that architectural volunteerism can impact people’s lives in other, deeper ways. One of the most significant impacts is that it can empower people in those communities to become self-sustaining. For that, I am deeply touched and awed to know that the small part I played in this effort meant so much to so many people halfway around the world.

For the complete story, please read my original post.

JJ Tang, FAIA, F.SAME

Photos Credit: Covchurch.org

Figure 3: Carpenter’s workshop at Camp Zulu

Marketing & Business Development Manager

Eckenhoff Saunders Architects (ESA) is pleased to announce that Chris Nikkel has been promoted from Senior Associate to Associate Principal. Chris has experience in a wide variety of project types, including hospitality, mixed-use, healthcare, commercial and non-profit facilities. Chris is currently leading the design and implementation of the renovation of 203 North LaSalle in downtown Chicago.

Jacob Wahler, AIA, CDT, LEED Green Associate, has been also been promoted from Senior Associate to Associate Principal. A licensed architect with international and regional experience, Jake is a leadership-oriented designer with broad abilities across project types including education, industrial, hospitality, institutional and commercial office. He specializes in conceptual project planning, sustainability and building science.

Jackie Wilcox, AIA, LEED AP, IIDA was promoted to Senior Associate. Jackie is a registered architect focusing on interiors. She has broad experience in the design of space for education, healthcare, commercial and hospitality uses.

http://www.esadesign.com/

Gresham, Smith and Partners Expands Healthcare Practice to Chicago

Gresham, Smith and Partners (GS&P) announces three senior Healthcare leaders have joined the firm, adding an office presence in Chicago and supporting the firm’s Healthcare market growth strategy. Dan White, AIA, LEED AP, CLGB, joins as a senior vice president, and Sandy Faurot, AIA, ACHA, LEEP AP, and Steve Stokes, AIA, LEED GA, CLGB, join as vice presidents. The three have more than 20 years of experience working together as a team and their proven track record of client success will be invaluable as GS&P establishes a stronger presence with healthcare systems and facilities in the Midwest to complement a strong existing portfolio. The three join the firm from CallisonRTKL.

“Based on our research, the Midwest became a target growth area for our Healthcare practice. We feel that our culture of client service and commitment to employee engagement and professional growth aligns with the market needs,” commented Al Pramuk, Chairman and CEO at Gresham, Smith and Partners. “The addition of Dan, Sandy and Steve to our team and the history of success they have in the region will jumpstart our efforts. We look forward to getting further engrained in the Chicago area and throughout the Midwest by introducing more health systems to our value-added design approach to help them address their complex facility needs. We are encouraged that our expansion into Chicago gives us greater access for future talent acquisition and growth opportunities for some of our other markets as well.”

Dan White, AIA, LEED AP, CLGB, has contributed to innovations in large scale medical district development and integration for healthcare clients such as Northwestern Medicine, McLaren Health Care and The Mid-Illinois Medical District. Recent highlights of his more than 30 year career include a New Healthcare Campus for McLaren Greater Lansing and a $750 million dollar campus regeneration for Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, NY. White has a specific expertise in the design of oncology facilities with Proton Therapy projects in Flint, MI; Dallas, TX; and Cairo, Egypt in addition to traditional cancer therapy projects for Karmanos Cancer Institute, Great Lakes Cancer Institute, Northwestern Medicine, Edward-Elmhurst Healthcare, Presence Healthcare and Yuma Regional Medical Center. White earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Illinois.

Sandy Faurot, AIA, ACHA, LEED AP, has the experience and understanding necessary to drive effective collaboration on project teams to arrive at success for clients. From staff fulfillment to client satisfaction, he’s detail-oriented while still focusing on the broad impact of his team’s planning and design solutions. Recent proof of his success can be seen in a new 289-bed replacement hospital designed for Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, IL and the 380,000-square foot Presence Center for Advanced Care at St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago. Faurot earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Virginia and a Master of Architecture from Rice University.

From rural facilities to academic medical centers, Steve Stokes, AIA, LEED GA, CLGB, helps clients navigate complex facility issues with a holistic approach to design that provides clarity for stakeholders and end-users alike. In his more than 25 years of experience, he’s built a roster of repeat clients and project success stories. Recent examples of his work include the new 240-bed, greenfield hospital for McLaren Greater Lansing in Lansing, MI, and a 360-bed, inpatient pavilion for Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, NY. Stokes earned a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Iowa State University.

Gresham, Smith and Partners is no stranger to the Midwest region. The firm provided design and planning services for UP Health System - Marquette Hospital, a 229-bed facility and accompanying parking garage for Duke Lifepoint in Marquette, Michigan, the home office expansion for Jackson National Life Insurance in Lansing and the 4,800-space parking structure and grand canopy at Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids. The firm is also providing design and planning services for Mount Carmel Grove City, a new 7-story, 210-bed hospital that is a member of Livonia, Michigan-based Trinity Health.

GS&P’s dedicated Healthcare staff approach each project through the lens of Value-Added Design. Value-Added Design is a dynamic, holistic framework in which teams explore and define what is important to clients with a focus on key performance indicators: patient safety; operational efficiencies; integration of technology; adaptability/resiliency; healthy, sustainable buildings; and human experience through evidence-based design. This approach gives clients the opportunity to assess and prepare for inevitable market shifts.

About Gresham, Smith and Partners:

GS&P is a privately held firm of architects, engineers, interior designers and planners creating design and consulting solutions for the built environment. Our more than 900 employees are committed to building value with our clients as trusted advisors and to making positive social, economic and environmental impacts in our communities. Building off our 50-year legacy, GS&P looks forward to continuing to serve our clients while fostering the professional and personal growth of our employees. For more information regarding GS&P, visit www.greshamsmith.com.

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Ghafari Reaches New Heights in Aviation

We're proud to be one of ENR's top 20 global airport designers. Watch as Ghafari's Senior VP of Aviation Ted Oberlies highlights our breadth of aviation facility experience.

https://www.ghafari.com

Booth Hansen Announces New Design Leadership

Booth Hansen, a leading architectural design firm, is pleased to announce two new firm leaders with the promotion of Scott Cyphers, AIA and Trina Sandschafer, AIA from Principal to Design Principal. With over 30 years of combined design experience at Booth Hansen, Trina and Scott join Larry Booth, FAIA, the firm’s founder, in leading the design efforts and aesthetic quality of all projects in the firm. Their expanded roles will also include focus on cultivating client relationships, while continuing to deliver project results.

“Both Trina and Scott demonstrate the skill, creativity, and leadership that is vital to Booth Hansen’s continued improvement and growth,” said Booth. “Together, their dedication and commitment will serve Booth Hansen and our clients well into the future.”

Scott Cyphers brings design leadership to the development of a wide variety of project types. He provides creative solutions to higher education projects, contributing to new construction and renovations at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Wisconsin, and Northwestern University. His work with the Chicago Park District and the Chicago Botanic Garden showcases his sustainability and environmental efforts, with projects including an urban farm and a LEED Platinum-certified learning center. He demonstrates a clear focus, leading teams in the hospitality market with the design of several boutique hotels.

Scott is a graduate of the University of Virginia and holds a Masters in Architecture from MIT. For the past ten years, he has demonstrated a commitment to education as an adjunct lecturer in the Architecture Engineering and Design program at Northwestern’s McCormick School of Engineering, teaching in partnership with Larry Booth. His classes focus on the integration of design and engineering in the context of the present world, with an emphasis on the development of Chicago infrastructure and architecture.

Trina Sandschafer leads all projects with a client-focused approach, resulting in clear conceptual analysis and engaging results. As a critical thinker, she excels at bringing clarity to complex programs. Trina’s extensive experience in residential, cultural, and master-planning spans a wide range of scales – from multi-phase master plans to high-end custom residential – creating opportunities for diverse clients. Her work has been featured by the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Design Chicago, and multiple design publications.

As an alumnus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Trina continually returns to campus to give design and business lectures at her. She is actively involved with the UIUC School of Architecture Chicago Studio as a mentor, professional practice liaison, and design critic, working with students to address critical architectural design issues in today’s cities.

BOOTH HANSEN is an award-winning architecture firm founded by Larry Booth in 1980. Today, the firm serves clients in commercial, cultural, and education projects, as well as multi-family and single family residences. With each project, Booth Hansen strives to think critically, solve problems, and make opportunities. For more information, visit www.boothhansen.com.

Impacting Communities and Empowering Change through Architectural Volunteering

Many of you may remember when three years ago, I blogged in Chicago Architect online magazine about a story of providing a pro-bono design of a 2,000-square-foot dining facility in Camp Zulu, a rural community in the Congo, and its fund-raising effort through World Vision and World Mission. I shared how our architectural community responded by donating thousands of dollars to this project. At the end of the fund-raising stage, AIA Chicago program director Joan Pomaranc asked me to do a report for AIA Chicago, once the project was constructed. Fast forward two and one a half years: The project was finally constructed in the fall of 2017. To my pleasant surprise, this building has become much more than simply a dining facility; it has now been functioning for six months as a multi-purpose community center for the entire Camp Zulu. Their new facility has become a center of the community where residents dine, worship, socialize and hold meetings on a weekly basis.

When we talk about architects’ social responsibility, we often refer to our designs as having the ability to create better-built environments for the communities we serve (Figure 3). Through this experience, I now realize that architectural volunteerism can impact people’s lives in other, deeper ways. One of the most significant impacts is that it can empower people in those communities to become self-sustaining. For that, I am deeply touched and awed to know that the small part I played in this effort meant so much to so many people halfway around the world.

For the complete story, please read my original post.

JJ Tang, FAIA, F.SAME

Photos Credit: Covchurch.org

Ghafari among Chicago’s Top 10 Architectural Firms, as Ranked by The Real Deal

Global firm is recognized for work at O’Hare International Airport valued at $162 million

American Airlines' new aircraft maintenance hangar, currently under construction at Chicago O'Hare International Airport

Chicago, IL – Global architecture and engineering firm Ghafari Associates was ranked among the top 10 architectural firms of the past year by The Real Deal Chicago, coming in at #7. Ghafari made this list for its extensive work at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, which is collectively valued at more than $162 million and supports the airport’s continued modernization program.

The O’Hare Modernization Program (OMP) is a long-term reconfiguration of the Chicago O’Hare International Airport aimed at reducing flight delays and increasing capacity to serve passengers, airlines, and airport team members more efficiently. Ghafari has partnered with American Airlines and United Airlines to help them identify opportunities to improve their current operations aligned with OMP goals.

“We’re honored by this recognition,” says Ted Oberlies, Senior Vice President who heads up Ghafari’s Aviation Group. “Our aviation work in Chicago has always been a source of great pride, and our projects at O’Hare remain at the forefront of our practice. We look forward to supporting the continued growth and success of the Chicago Airport System.”

The firm is currently providing a full range of services for United Airlines’ 112,000 SF relocation of its ground equipment maintenance facility. This relocation will expand its size and maintenance capabilities while servicing a wider array of equipment. Ghafari is also working with American Airlines on a 194,000 SF aircraft maintenance hangar relocation that will improve and consolidate both line and base maintenance operations at one of their busiest hubs. Additionally, the firm recently renovated American’s Admirals Club and designed a new Flagship Lounge at O’Hare’s Terminal 3.

The Real Deal assembled its “Top 10 Architectural Firms in Chicago” list based on data gathered through city building permits from May 1, 2017 to April 20, 2018 with values calculated based on the estimated costs listed in those permit applications.

Opened in 2004, Ghafari’s Chicago office serves as the hub of the firm’s international aviation operations.

# # #

About Ghafari

Recognized among Engineering News-Record’s top 20 global airport designers, Ghafari’s experience in the aviation industry spans the entire spectrum of airport facilities, from passenger terminals and aircraft maintenance hangars to cargo centers and mission-critical facilities. To learn more about Ghafari, visit www.ghafari.com.

BKV Group Promotes Key Team Members

BKV Group, a national leader in the design of multifamily and civic projects, recently announced firm-wide leadership promotions, including six members of their Chicago practice site. The promotions recognize each individual’s accomplishments and contributions to the firm.

BKV Group partners are professional team members who lead marketing segments or key areas of business. Chicago Architect Mark Harris, AIA was elevated to Partner:

Mark Harris, AIA, Senior Project Manager, is a leader in BKV Group’s housing practice, with 25 years of experience focused on affordable and senior housing, higher education, and corporate architecture. His client-based approach yields successful project results and enduring client relationships.

Additional promotions on the leadership path include Associate Partners, Senior Associates, and Associates. These promotions include:

Craig Carter, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Project Manager, was promoted to Associate Partner

Renato Gilberti, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Senior Architectural Designer, and Nicholas Juhasz, AIA, NCARB, Project Manager, were promoted to Senior Associate.

Ioana Gruita, Assoc. AIA, Architectural Designer, and Angel Valtierra, AIA, Project Architect, were promoted to Associate.

“We are incredibly proud of our talented staff,” said Jack Boarman, Partner and CEO. “Each of these additions to our leadership team plays an important part of the BKV Group team enriching lives and strengthening communities.”

About BKV Group

BKV Group is a holistic design firm providing a full complement of architecture, engineering, interior design, landscape architecture and construction administration services. Since 1978, BKV Group has grown from a sole proprietorship into a diverse partnership with practice sites in Chicago, Minneapolis, Washington, DC, and Dallas, serving clients locally and nationwide. For more information, visit www.bkvgroup.com.

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Ghafari Expands Midwest Presence with Commercial Design Firm Acquisition

The Combined Resources Strengthen the Firm’s Corporate and Commercial Design Strategic Direction

From left to right: Thomas Tooley, Kouhaila Hammer, and Stephen Fry

Chicago, IL – Ghafari Associates, Engineering News-Record Midwest’s “2017 Design Firm of the Year”, is proud to announce that it has acquired Concept Design Group, an award-winning architectural and interior design firm based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The acquisition will expand Ghafari’s Midwest presence, broaden Concept Design’s reach to international markets, and provide enhanced services and resources to the clients of both firms.

Founded nearly 30 years ago, Concept Design is a professional architectural and interior design firm specializing in commercial, corporate office, law, multi-family, hospitality, retail, restaurant, and mixed-use facility projects. Ghafari has identified the commercial market and corporate spaces as key to its future growth, and has expanded organically to support recent successes in this arena.

“As part of our strategic plan, we are expanding our core corporate and commercial expertise, as well as our geographic reach. Joining forces with Concept Design enables us to enhance our design capabilities and corporate / commercial portfolio, while also affording their team the opportunity to grow professionally,” said Kouhaila Hammer, president + CEO of Ghafari Associates.

Stephen Fry, founder and president of Concept Design, added, “The additional resources this union brings will broaden the range of services we provide, including full facility engineering and process engineering. Obviously, it deepens our bench strength and positions us on a faster path toward serving clients beyond Western Michigan. This opens up a lot of new opportunities for our clients and our team.”

Fry will continue to lead the Grand Rapids office, serving as president of that office. He and Thomas Tooley, Concept Design’s senior vice president will also join Ghafari’s Management Team. The unit will be known as “Concept Design, a Ghafari Company” during the transition period. The firm and employees will remain in their current office.

The addition of the new Grand Rapids location will bring Ghafari’s total number of offices to 15.

Media Contact Catherine Noyes Ghafari Associates Chief Marketing Officer +.1.419.351.9600 [email protected]

https://www.ghafari.com/

Ghafari Named a 2018 “Best and Brightest” Company in Chicago

Ghafari was once again recognized by the National Association for Business Resources as one of “Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For”. This annual awards program honors companies that represent best practices in human resources, excel at employee relations, and are innovative in motivating their team members.

Ghafari recognizes that we are only as good as our team members, so we continually strive to provide both career- and team-building opportunities to our staff. Between professional lunch and learns, weekly yoga classes, trivia nights, and philanthropic activities, our staff are encouraged to strengthen their bonds and skills in a variety of ways.

Our office functions, coupled with our firm’s innovative resources, lend to the hard work our staff put into every one of our opportunities. Our talented team is currently engaged in a number of exciting projects, including large-scale facilities at Istanbul’s new world-class airport along with capital development and design efforts at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. We also recently completed HAECO America’s newest hangar in Greensboro, North Carolina, and the American Airlines Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge at O’Hare.

2018 marks the eighth consecutive year that Ghafari’s Chicago office has been recognized. Along with our fellow winners, we will be honored at an awards luncheon on July 27 at the Drury Lane Conference Center in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.

https://www.ghafari.com/

Microscape | The Chicago Collection

Design Firm Spin-off Is Scanning Entire Cities, 3D-Printing Collectible Models at 1:5000 Scale

After the successful Kickstarter launch last year of its flagship Manhattan Collection, Microscape is tackling the Second City. A new collection of thirty-six highly detailed models capturing downtown Chicago is now available exclusively through a Kickstarter campaign that will wrap up on January 25th.

These models exceed the already high standard for quality and detail set by the original Manhattan Collection, with a new, more precise 3D-printing process and additional layers of scan data near ground level picking up the bridges over the Chicago River, the ferris wheel on Navy Pier and the complex layering of streets and El tracks in and around the Loop.

Backers of this new Kickstarter campaign will be able to reserve models at heavily discounted prices -- as low as $65 for a very limited number of units. They will additionally have an opportunity to purchase the entire collection pre-assembled and ready to hang as a stunning, 36” x 36” art piece for $2700 -- 60% of its planned, post-Kickstarter price.

As with the Manhattan Collection, Microscape’s Downtown Chicago Collection slices up the city into a north-south-oriented grid of six-inch squares. Each square equates to approximately 1⁄2 of a mile (around four Windy City blocks) at 1:5000 scale. The 1.3° skew from true north of Chicago’s street grid makes for a more visually interesting sculptural piece, as streets, buildings, bridges and the Chicago River are all cut through at a slight angle.

Beginning with its home base of Manhattan, Microscape has been collecting aerial 3D scans of cities and processing the data into 3D-printed models. Thousands of these micro-cityscapes -- as well as larger, custom installation pieces -- have already shipped to architects, urban designers, preservationists and real estate developers around the world. Beyond those in fields that deal with the built environment, Microscape models have been received with tremendous enthusiasm by non-specialists who feel a sentimental connection to New York City and now, Chicago.

“We had originally conceived of these models as large scale decorative treatments for the walls or ceilings of lobbies or board rooms in commercial office buildings. Or for use by people in the design disciplines and real estate,” said co-creator William Ngo of TO+WN DESIGN. “But during the months we spent working through the technical challenges of making our scan data printable, we noticed all the attention our test prints and prototypes received from people outside these fields and realized that they could have a much wider appeal.”

“At a time when anyone can use an app like Google Earth to explore a detailed 3D representation of most locations on their phone or computer, the allure of tangible, physical models turns out to be amazingly strong -- far stronger than we’d ever have guessed when we began working on this project” added co-creator Alan Silverman of AJSNY

.Microscape began as an informal collaboration between architecture and design firms AJSNY and TO+WN DESIGN, whose combined two decades of experience in digital modeling, photogrammetry, product design and 3D printing was channeled into the initial Manhattan Collection product line.

Kickstarter Campaign http://bit.ly/mscapeChicago

Images

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