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TZL: You’ve worked on countless projects throughout the years, but are there one or two that really stand out due to challenging circumstances or unusual requests? Please explain. DB: We have a huge work portfolio. I suppose I’m most proud of the projects that have won design awards. When I first started, I set a goal of winning one per year. We now have 42 awards for our work. When we tell clients that we worked on Mackey Arena, that gives us a great deal of credibility, since most clients have heard of it. Our most recent high-profile project was the design of the Indiana University Football Locker Room. We also worked on the Historic Hoosier Gym renovation, the gym from the movie Hoosiers . TZL: What benefits does your firm offer that your people get most excited about? DB: We pay for disability insurance for all staff. One of my long-term staff needed to make a claim and, fortunately, it was a benefit that she was able to take advantage of. We also pay single coverage health insurance and encourage HSAs and have a 401(k) plan. “I’m most proud of leading the charge for women in architecture. For our first 20 years, we were the largest 100 percent WBE architectural firm in Indiana.” TZL: As a woman-owned firm, are there any unique challenges/benefits that your company has experienced? Please explain. DB: Our greatest challenge as a small firm is also our biggest advantage. Many clients ask for a history of multiple projects in the same project type within the last five years. Clients want to see projects just like the one they are proposing. They don’t care if all of those projects went well or not, they want to see recent quantity, not quality. We may have completed five over our client history, but they are not all recent. As a small firm we are generalists; we specialize in the process of design. It’s the overall design process that determines the outcome; understanding client needs, budgets, and schedule is more important than whether we’ve done five of the same project type in the last five years. Our greatest advantage is that we’re very experienced in all types of design and construction and we use our expertise and variety of experience to lead clients through a project no matter what the project type
is. Many facilities are a blending of different types of spaces and uses. We have seen that happen over time in higher education, hospitality, sports, and housing. “I feel proud that I have been able to sustain my practice for 30 years with no partners and have been able to work on high profile projects. Hopefully I’ve paved the way for women in this profession.”
HEADQUARTERS: Indianapolis, IN
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 10
TZL: In one word or phrase, what do you describe as your number one job responsibility?
YEAR FOUNDED: 1992
OFFICE LOCATIONS: 1
DB: Finding newwork and closing the deal. I have to maintain a constant flow of newwork to keep everyone busy. TZL: Since the firm’s founding, what are some of the accomplishments that you’re most proud of? DB: When I became licensed, it was always my personal goal to be elevated to the College of Fellows. Most architects don’t get elevated based on their first application. Sometimes it takes three tries. I was elevated based on my first application in 2008 and it was a great honor. I’m most proud of leading the charge for women in architecture. For our first 20 years, we were the largest 100 percent WBE architectural firm in Indiana. I was the first woman architect to design a building at Purdue University (which was named Mann Hall) and the first woman architect to design a building at Ball State University (Ron & Joan Venderly Football Complex). I also went on to be associate architect on the Mackey Arena Expansion, a $98 million project where we did 45 percent of the work. Why am I most proud of these things? When I first started in business and people asked me what I did, I responded, “I’m an architect and I own my own firm.” The next question was always, “Do you work out of your home?” I would respond, “No, I have a real office downtown with real employees.” I felt like they asked that because I was a woman. I don’t believe a man would have been asked that question. I feel proud that I have been able to sustain my practice for 30 years with no partners and See PAVING THE WAY, page 8
MARKETS:
■ ■ Arts and culture
■ ■ Business
■ ■ Healthcare
■ ■ Historic preservation
■ ■ Hospitality
■ ■ Housing
■ ■ Sports
SERVICES:
■ ■ Architecture
■ ■ Interior architecture
■ ■ Interior design
■ ■ FF&E procurement
■ ■ Branding
■ ■ Owners’ rep services
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE: Currently looking for the next generation of owners.
© Copyright 2022. Zweig Group. All rights reserved.
ARCH 14, 2022, ISSUE 1432
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